Famed New York Knicks enemy Reggie Miller will be on the call for Wednesday night’s Game Two of the Eastern Conference semifinals between the Knicks and his Indiana Pacers. Miller is ready to play the heel in front of Madison Square Garden faithful, but insists his commentary will be balanced and fair.
The longtime TNT Sports color analyst is expecting boos to rain down from Knicks fans, though. He said Monday on The Dan Patrick Show that he may have to take some warmup jumpers in front of Knicks superfan Spike Lee courtside before the game to set the mood.
“I will be surprised during the game if I don’t hear, ‘Reggie sucks,'” Miller said. “In fact, I’ll be a little hurt if I don’t hear, ‘Reggie sucks.'”
Miller told Patrick calling a typical regular season game at MSG doesn’t drum up any controversy more than two decades removed from his last battle with the Knicks. But the Hall of Famer knows this one will be different.
“I think it will be more heightened on Wednesday, because there’s more at stake,” Miller said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
The longtime Pacers sharpshooter already sees the allegations coming that he will call the game unfairly. He pointed to the NFL to underline that he is more than capable of doing his job.
“For those of you wondering why I’m doing this game, it’s the same reason why Tony Romo or Troy Aikman, they do Dallas Cowboys games,” Miller said. “It’s going to be down the middle. That’s how it is. That’s my job, to call it like I see it.
“There won’t be any favoritism. For 18 years, was I an Indiana Pacer? Absolutely. But, I’m sure I’ll hear the chants, I’m sure I’ll hear all those naughty words, I’m good with that. But I’m there to do a job, to call a game. I’m sure this will be a great series.”
While he plans to call the game down the middle, expect Miller to have plenty of fun with this series. He faced the Knicks six times in the postseason during his career, and knows Knicks fans are riding high after the team survived a nip and tuck series against the 76ers last round.
“I get it, New Yorkers. The way they took over Philadelphia and how they acted, I get it,” Miller said. “But just know, the Boogeyman is coming back to town to call the game. I’m coming.”
About Brendon Kleen
Brendon is a Media Commentary staff writer at Awful Announcing. He has also covered basketball and sports business at Front Office Sports, SB Nation, Uproxx and more.