Reggie Miller’s Legacy: Where Does He Rank All-Time?

Reggie Miller (born August 24, 1965) is a Hall of Fame shooting guard who spent 18 NBA seasons (1987–2005) with the Indiana Pacers after starring at UCLA. Drafted 11th overall in 1987, he became the franchise’s defining star, renowned for elite off-ball movement, deep-range shot-making, and clutch performances—most famously against the New York Knicks. Miller helped lead Indiana to the 2000 NBA Finals, earned five All-Star selections, and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.

Career Snapshot

  • Team: Indiana Pacers (1987–2005)
  • Draft: 1987, 11th overall (UCLA)
  • Position: SG | Height: 6’7"
  • Hall of Fame: Class of 2012
  • Olympic Gold: USA, 1996 Atlanta

Signature Moments

  • 8 points in 8.9 seconds vs. Knicks (1995 ECSF Game 1)—one of the NBA’s most iconic clutch sequences.
  • Led the Pacers to the 2000 NBA Finals, pushing the Shaq-Kobe Lakers to six games.
  • Multiple late-game daggers at Madison Square Garden that cemented the “Knick Killer” reputation.

Stats and Records Snapshot

  • Retired as the NBA’s all-time leader in made threes (2,560), later surpassed by Ray Allen and Stephen Curry.
  • 5× NBA All-Star; 3× All-NBA Third Team.
  • Pacers retired No. 31; selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
  • Career longevity: 18 seasons with one franchise—a rarity in modern Basketball.

Playoff Resume and Clutch Profile

  • Central figure in the Pacers’ deep playoff runs throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.
  • Reputation built on late-game shot-making, off-ball reads, and composure in high-leverage moments.
  • Consistent postseason threat despite heavy defensive attention and physical 1990s defenses.

Shooting Impact on the Modern NBA

  • Reggie Miller normalized prolific movement shooting: pindowns, flares, and quick-trigger catch-and-shoots.
  • His gravity reshaped spacing principles well before the current three-point boom.
  • Framework for how teams now feature shooters like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

Comparative Context

  • Versus peers and successors: Ray Allen (volume + longevity), Stephen Curry (range + self-creation), Klay Thompson (two-way + off-ball mastery).
  • Reggie Miller’s case leans on era-adjusted three-point volume, clutch value, and team impact over raw counting totals.

Efficiency and Role Notes

  • Elite free-throw shooter with strong shooting splits season after season.
  • Excelled as a low-dribble, high-efficiency scorer within motion and set actions.
  • Offensive value amplified by stamina, conditioning, and relentless off-ball movement.

Franchise Impact and Leadership

  • Face of the Indiana Pacers for nearly two decades, shaping team identity and culture.
  • Elevated small-market relevance with sustained contention in the 1990s.
  • Mentorship and professionalism reflected in the franchise’s continuity and fan culture.

2025 Lens: Legacy and Evolution

  • In 2025, with three-point attempts at all-time highs, Reggie Miller’s pioneering style looks even more valuable.
  • Era context matters: his output came with lower team three-point volumes and tighter physical defenses.
  • Legacy discussion now weighs influence on strategy as much as raw Stats.

Discussion Questions

  • Where does Reggie Miller rank among all-time NBA shooters in 2025—behind Curry and Allen, or right with them?
  • How should era context (pace, spacing, rules) adjust our view of his Stats and Legacy?
  • Which single game best defines Reggie Miller’s clutch profile for you?
  • Does his one-franchise career elevate his standing in all-time rankings?
  • In today’s NBA, would Reggie Miller’s role expand into more on-ball creation, or remain movement-centric?

Share your take below—how do you define Reggie Miller’s Legacy in the modern NBA? Join the Discussion and drop your Stats, comps, and favorite moments.