Current:Home > StocksReggie Miller praises Knicks' offseason, asks fans to 'pause' Bronny James hate-LoTradeCoin
Reggie Miller praises Knicks' offseason, asks fans to 'pause' Bronny James hate
View Date:2024-12-23 16:10:24
The player once known as the “Knick Killer” because of his legendary playoff moments for the Indiana Pacers against the New York Knicks, is now bullish on the future of the team he tormented in the 1990s.
Reggie Miller told USA TODAY Sports that “the Knicks won and are winning the offseason.”
Miller cited the team’s chemistry, including uniting four Villanova teammates and re-signing OG Anunoby, as the primary sources of optimism for the team and its fans. The iconic sharpshooter — who once scored eight points in nine seconds to beat New York in a 1995 playoff game — does warn against minimizing the loss of Isaiah Hartenstein, who signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Still, Miller is so confident in the quality of New York’s recent transactions he gave the team an “A++++" grade for its offseason.
Like the Knicks, the Los Angeles Lakers have also made headlines; especially in the past month, with Los Angeles drafting Bronny James with the 55th overall pick.
“It will take some time,” Miller said about James, who has posted modest numbers in the Las Vegas Summer League.
But Miller doesn’t place too much importance on James' recent outings.
“People, it’s Summer League,” said Miller, a member of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team. “No one cares. Those numbers won’t translate to the fall. It’s all about experience in the summer.”
Miller also suggested that fans “pause on the Bronny hate and appreciate what we are witnessing, like we appreciated the Griffeys. I think it is one of the coolest things ever.”
Another recent NBA storyline involves the league’s media rights deals, which may spell the end of the beloved “Inside the NBA” program.
“They are such pop culture,” Miller said of TNT cohorts Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson. “They transcend what basketball really is.”
And while the deals aren’t yet official, Miller expressed to USA TODAY Sports how he’d feel should his network lose its rights to broadcast games.
“I would absolutely be sad and distraught if next year is our last year,” Miller said.
“I’ve only known two things in my life; 18 years with the Pacers and I have been with Turner (for) the last 19. So, for 40 years, I have known two things – two companies. So, for one of them to be going away – I hope it’s not the case. But if it is, hopefully another door will open down the ways. That’s how I look at it. I can’t dwell on it.”
During his conversation with Mackenzie Salmon, host of USA TODAY Sports' "Sports Seriously," Miller also shared his all-time starting five.
The squad consists of Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan in the backcourt, Larry Bird and Hakeem Olajuwon in the frontcourt, and Shaquille O’Neal edging out Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at center. Miller chose Shaq despite admitting that O’Neal “beat the living daylights out of me” while winning the 2000 NBA title.
veryGood! (41151)
Related
- Louisville officials mourn victims of 'unthinkable' plant explosion amid investigation
- Lunchables get early dismissal: Kraft Heinz pulls the iconic snack from school lunches
- 2025 NFL mock draft: QBs Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward crack top five
- Agents search home of ex-lieutenant facing scrutiny as police probe leak of school shooting evidence
- Flurry of contract deals come as railroads, unions see Trump’s election looming over talks
- Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani wins reelection to Arizona US House seat
- Insurance magnate pleads guilty as government describes $2B scheme
- John Krasinski is People's Sexiest Man Alive. What that says about us.
- RHOBH's Kyle Richards Addresses PK Kemsley Cheating Rumors in the Best Way Possible
- Glen Powell responds to rumor that he could replace Tom Cruise in 'Mission: Impossible'
Ranking
- NFL MVP rankings: Does Steelers QB Russell Wilson deserve any consideration?
- Judge sets date for 9/11 defendants to enter pleas, deepening battle over court’s independence
- 3 Iraqis tortured at Abu Ghraib win $42M judgement against defense contractor
- Gun groups sue to overturn Maine’s new three-day waiting period to buy firearms
- Bowl projections: SEC teams joins College Football Playoff field
- Black women notch historic Senate wins in an election year defined by potential firsts
- Prominent conservative lawyer Ted Olson, who argued Bush recount and same-sex marriage cases, dies
- Zendaya Shares When She Feels Extra Safe With Boyfriend Tom Holland
Recommendation
-
Princess Kate makes rare public appearance after completing cancer chemo
-
Mandy Moore Captures the Holiday Vibe With These No Brainer Gifts & Stocking Stuffer Must-Haves
-
Bill on school bathroom use by transgender students clears Ohio Legislature, heads to governor
-
Louisiana mom arrested for making false kidnapping report after 'disagreement' with son
-
World leaders aim to shape Earth's future at COP29 climate change summit
-
The Daily Money: Inflation is still a thing
-
Wildfires burn on both coasts. Is climate change to blame?
-
Bill on school bathroom use by transgender students clears Ohio Legislature, heads to governor