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‘Never talk to Black Jesus like that’ – Reggie Miller was naive Indiana Pacers rookie trash talking Michael Jordan before humbling apology to NBA legend
Reggie Miller learned the hard way not to mess with the GOAT. Miller is undoubtedly the greatest player in Indiana Pacers history. Reggie Miller and Michael Jordan brought out the best in each other, but got off on the wrong footGetty While a 2024 Pacers team fell 4-0 to the eventual NBA Champion Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals last season, Miller led the Pacers to the finals in 2000 before a tough 4-2 loss to Shaquille O’Neal and the Los Angeles Lakers. He is also one of the greatest shooters of all-time. Miller was a five-time All-Star who was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team and entered the Basketball Hall of Fame. But one opposing player helped define his 18-year career, all of which was played with the small-market Pacers. His Royal Airness. The GOAT. Michael Jordan. When Miller entered the Association as a skinny rookie out of UCLA in 1987, he knew he needed something to stand out in a tough and physically demanding league. “I was only 175, 180 pounds, so I wasn’t the biggest or strongest guy,” Miller said. “I needed to have a little bit of an edge — my mouth was my edge.” Miller eventually learned the fine art of NBA trash talking. But before he proved himself as a prolific sharpshooter who sank 2,560 career 3-pointers, his loud mouth got him in serious trouble. GettyJordan viewed Miller as a rival and wasn’t afraid to let the Pacers legend know who was best after some trash talk[/caption] “I started talking as soon as I got into the league,” Miller said. “But I had a bad experience.” Jordan was already on the edge of his all-time greatness. Playing in a preseason exhibition game, Miller became over-excited when the Pacers dominated early while Jordan and the Chicago Bulls struggled. “Most veterans do not like to play in exhibition games,” Miller said. “They want to get to the real thing. I’m a wide-eyed energetic rookie.” Encouraged by a teammate to talk trash to Jordan, the future Pacers legend and NBA TNT commentator went all-in. “Michael, who do you think you are? The great Michael Jordan?” Miller said. “That’s right. There’s a new kid in town.” youtube@Jimmy Kimmel Live Miller re-enacted his big rookie mistake vs Air Jordan on Jimmy Kimmel Live[/caption] The easiest thing to do was to apologize to the best NBA player of all-time after his mistakeyoutube@Jimmy Kimmel Live Once the second half started, the guard from North Carolina — who would eventually win six NBA championships while inspiring everyone from Kobe Bryant and LeBron James to Anthony Edwards — turned on his “pro” mode and proceeded to remind Miller what the NBA was all about. “End of the game, he ended up with 44 (points) and I ended up with 12, so he outscored me 40 to two (in the second half),” Miller said. Then the international superstar reminded the rookie who Air Jordan really was. “As he’s walking off, he’s like, ‘Be sure and be careful you never talk to Black Jesus like that,'” Miller said. The Pacers rookie then pretended to bow down to give his apology maximum impact. “OK. ‘I’m so sorry, Black Jesus, I’m so sorry,’ ” a smiling Miller said. The pair famously went at it for real on the hardwood in 1998 during the Eastern Conference finals. Miller’s Pacers won three games. Miller and MJ met in the Eastern Conference finals in 1998, with the Bulls coming out on topGetty But the GOAT and the Bulls won four, then completed their second three-peat with another NBA Finals win over the Utah Jazz. Jordan won six titles during his legendary career, as Chicago captured two three-peats (1991-93 and 1996-98). How to watch NBA in the UK *If you click a link in this box we will earn affiliate revenue With the NBA hurtling towards playoff season next month, there’s plenty riding on the remaining games. Reigning champions the Boston Celtics are chasing back-to-back titles, and will be the first team to do this since 2018 if they’re successful. Meanwhile, LeBron James and Luka Dončić’s Lakers are looking to win LA’s first championship since 2020. To watch the rest of this NBA season, sign up for an NBA League pass using the links below. NBA League pass allows subscribers to watch games live and on demand. Buy NBA League Pass – £79.99 for the season, £16.99 a month Buy NBA League Pass Premium – £104.99 for the season, £29.99 a month For more information read our article on how to watch the NBA.
Reggie Miller learned the hard way not to mess with the GOAT.
Miller is undoubtedly the greatest player in Indiana Pacers history.
While a 2024 Pacers team fell 4-0 to the eventual NBA Champion Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals last season, Miller led the Pacers to the finals in 2000 before a tough 4-2 loss to Shaquille O’Neal and the Los Angeles Lakers.
He is also one of the greatest shooters of all-time.
Miller was a five-time All-Star who was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team and entered the Basketball Hall of Fame.
But one opposing player helped define his 18-year career, all of which was played with the small-market Pacers.
His Royal Airness. The GOAT. Michael Jordan.
When Miller entered the Association as a skinny rookie out of UCLA in 1987, he knew he needed something to stand out in a tough and physically demanding league.
“I was only 175, 180 pounds, so I wasn’t the biggest or strongest guy,” Miller said.
“I needed to have a little bit of an edge — my mouth was my edge.”
Miller eventually learned the fine art of NBA trash talking.
But before he proved himself as a prolific sharpshooter who sank 2,560 career 3-pointers, his loud mouth got him in serious trouble.
“I started talking as soon as I got into the league,” Miller said. “But I had a bad experience.”
Jordan was already on the edge of his all-time greatness.
Playing in a preseason exhibition game, Miller became over-excited when the Pacers dominated early while Jordan and the Chicago Bulls struggled.
“Most veterans do not like to play in exhibition games,” Miller said. “They want to get to the real thing. I’m a wide-eyed energetic rookie.”
Encouraged by a teammate to talk trash to Jordan, the future Pacers legend and NBA TNT commentator went all-in.
“Michael, who do you think you are? The great Michael Jordan?” Miller said. “That’s right. There’s a new kid in town.”
Once the second half started, the guard from North Carolina — who would eventually win six NBA championships while inspiring everyone from Kobe Bryant and LeBron James to Anthony Edwards — turned on his “pro” mode and proceeded to remind Miller what the NBA was all about.
“End of the game, he ended up with 44 (points) and I ended up with 12, so he outscored me 40 to two (in the second half),” Miller said.
Then the international superstar reminded the rookie who Air Jordan really was.
“As he’s walking off, he’s like, ‘Be sure and be careful you never talk to Black Jesus like that,'” Miller said.
The Pacers rookie then pretended to bow down to give his apology maximum impact.
“OK. ‘I’m so sorry, Black Jesus, I’m so sorry,’ ” a smiling Miller said.
The pair famously went at it for real on the hardwood in 1998 during the Eastern Conference finals.
Miller’s Pacers won three games.
But the GOAT and the Bulls won four, then completed their second three-peat with another NBA Finals win over the Utah Jazz.
Jordan won six titles during his legendary career, as Chicago captured two three-peats (1991-93 and 1996-98).
How to watch NBA in the UK
*If you click a link in this box we will earn affiliate revenue
With the NBA hurtling towards playoff season next month, there’s plenty riding on the remaining games.
Reigning champions the Boston Celtics are chasing back-to-back titles, and will be the first team to do this since 2018 if they’re successful.
Meanwhile, LeBron James and Luka Dončić’s Lakers are looking to win LA’s first championship since 2020.
To watch the rest of this NBA season, sign up for an NBA League pass using the links below. NBA League pass allows subscribers to watch games live and on demand.
- Buy NBA League Pass – £79.99 for the season, £16.99 a month
- Buy NBA League Pass Premium – £104.99 for the season, £29.99 a month
For more information read our article on how to watch the NBA.
