In a sit-down interview with Bleacher Report’s Taylor Rooks, New York Knicks PG Jalen Brunson addressed the comments made by Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller last week regarding the Knicks and Pacers rivalry.
Pacers legend doesn’t mince words about the Knicks’ passionate fanbase
Appearing on The Mark Jackson Show, Miller blasted the Knicks and their fans for their behavior during the second-round playoff matchup between the two teams last month.
“This is why I cannot stand the Knicks, because to me they’re frontrunners,” said Miller. “They think that they’re God’s gift to basketball.”
Game 2 incident sparked a new wave of heightened animosity
Miller also noted the incident that took place late in Game 2 of the series, where the sold-out Madison Square Garden crowd broke out deafening “F*** you Reggie” chants as the Knicks secured the win. As the crowd’s chants echoed throughout The Garden, Knicks F Josh Hart walked over to Miller, who was broadcasting the game with TNT and relayed the crowd’s ruthless chant. The exchange between Hart and Miller could be heard on TNT’s broadcast of the game.
“Where gasoline was poured on it is when Josh came over to me,” said Miller. “I don’t think there was anything malicious. I think he was trying to be funny, you know? But for him to, again, pour gasoline on it saying, because all you heard on the mic was him saying, F you. So people thought that he just came over to me and said, F you, which wasn’t the case.”
Miller questioned his involvement in the series
Miller called into question his involvement in the series, saying he was simply there to do his job broadcasting the series with TNT.
“I’m not in the series. I had nothing to do with this series, but then I got dragged into it. I did my job,” said Miller. “But again being frontrunners, there was no need for that. There was no need for it, but it is what it is.
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Knicks All-Star point guard responds to Miller’s comments
Knicks PG Jalen Brunson responded to Miller’s remarks, keeping things blunt and honest when addressing the controversial comments about his team.
“Josh [Hart] should not have gone over there and said that to him, one hundred percent,” said Brunson in an interview with Bleacher Report’s Taylor Rooks. “But, Reggie you started the chirping,” “He said the boogeyman is coming back to New York, I own this place.”
Brunson pins full blame on Miller for the actions of Knick fans
Brunson believes that Miller brought the situation upon himself, and is the sole reason behind the fans’ behavior towards him.
“While you were coming here to do your job and you didn’t want to be brought into it, you said some things that brought you into it,” said Brunson. “People probably wouldn’t have said anything if you just came there and did [your job].”
Rest assured that the Knicks and Pacers rivalry that has spanned decades is far from over. With both teams competitive at the same time, a new era of animosity has been ushered in while still hanging on to the drama of the 1990’s.