Knicks fans beware: Reggie Miller will be back in Madison Square Garden for an NBA playoff game between New York and the Indiana Pacers.
The current TNT Sports commentator will be on the call for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals matchup between the Knicks and Pacers on Wednesday, and it may bring up painful memories for the home crowd seeing someone that tormented them in playoffs before come back. Miller knows it, and he offered a hilarious warning for Knicks fans when he was on ‘The Dan Patrick Show’ on Monday.
‘Just know, the Boogeyman is coming back to town to call the game,’ Miller said. ‘I am coming.’
Reggie Miller history with Knicks
In Miller’s 18-seasons with Indiana, he faced the Knicks in the playoffs six times. While both teams split the series 3-3 during that time, Miller was the villain to Knicks fans, and the Basketball Hall of Famer embraced it.
The most memorable moments in the feud came in 1994 and 1995 NBA playoffs. In Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, Miller put on a dazzling display with 39 points, 25 of which were scored in the fourth quarter. But during that performance, Miller traded words with director and Knicks superfan Spike Lee. Miller did his infamous ‘choke’ gesture at Lee during the win in what is one of the most iconic photos in NBA history. The Knicks would win the series in seven games.
In Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals in New York on May 7, 1995, the Knicks were up 105-99 with 18 seconds left, but Miller pulled off an incredible feat of scoring eight points over the final nine seconds to win the game.
What does Reggie Miller expect back in Madison Square Garden?
Miller said on Monday it’s never been a big deal whenever he calls games in New York during the regular season, but he expects it to be somewhat hostile this time around.
‘I’m sure I’ll hear the chants, I’m sure I’ll hear all those naughty words,’ he said. ‘I’m good with that, but I’m there to do a job, to call a game.
‘I will be surprised during the game if I don’t hear, ‘Reggie sucks,” Miller added. ‘Actually, I’ll be a little hurt if I don’t hear, ‘Reggie sucks.’ I kind of want that.’
Miller also acknowledged the feud he had with Lee during his playing days. He said the two have put their rivalry behind them, but they’ll ‘forever be linked’ because of their memorable jabs.
The Knicks are up 1-0 in the series after they won Game 1 on Monday.