“When people say they don’t regret it, they’re lying” – Reggie Miller once revealed not winning a ring “burns” him
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Miller also opted to remain loyal with the Pacers instead of chasing a ring with the Celtics in 2007.
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For many NBA stars, winning a title is the ultimate goal. However, not every one of them is fortunate to reach that dream. One of those who missed out on getting a ring was Reggie Miller. While some players would say they are fine with not being an NBA champion, the retired sharpshooter was more truthful about it, saying he regrets he couldn’t bring home the bacon.
“Probably every day,” Miller answered when asked if he rues having never won a ring in an interview with The Athletic in 2021. “It burns me. … When people say they don’t regret it (winning a championship), they’re lying. I had a great career; I get it, but it probably wouldn’t hurt so much if I’d never been so close.”
Coming close to hoisting the trophy
Despite ending up as one of the best ringless players in NBA history, the Hall of Famer deserves credit for helping the Indiana Pacers experience playoff success for the first time since coming in from the ABA.
The franchise made its first appearance in an NBA conference finals in the 1993-94 season, thanks to Miller’s strong campaign. Unfortunately, the team lost to its rival New York Knicks, but not before the shooting guard earned his moniker as “Knick Killer.”
Indiana was one victory away from eliminating the Knicks and reaching the Finals. It became a recurring theme for the Miller-led squad as the Pacers also lost in seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals in 1995 and 1998.
Miller finally cracked the code in the 1999-00 campaign, advancing to his first NBA Finals. But as fate would have it, his final obstacle to clinching a title was the Los Angeles Lakers. The star duo of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant proved to be too much for Indiana, which lost 4-2 in the series.
Almost a champion with the Boston Celtics
Unfortunately, Miller couldn’t win it all with the Pacers, hanging up his shoes in 2005 after 18 seasons. However, the opportunity came knocking again in 2007 when the Boston Celtics tried to lure him out of retirement to play with the Big 3 of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen.
The five-time All-Star opted not to join the eventual 2007-08 NBA champions, even though he felt he was still physically well enough to play. Pacers fans should be thrilled to know why he decided to decline the Celtics’ offer.
“Look, I knew they were stacked to win a championship, and they did,” Miller said. “But it just wouldn’t have seemed right to be popping champagne in Boston when we (Indiana) grew up together, we laughed together, we cried so many tears together because we were so close for so many years. How could I be sitting and cheering and laughing because I won my championship and all I ever wanted to do was win in Indiana?”
His choice to stay faithful to the Pacers is admirable, even if it meant not getting a ring. Some stars of today’s generation might want to learn about loyalty from the all-time great.