As he nears the seventh decade of life, NBA icon Reggie Miller has passed a quarter of a century reflecting on his singular NBA Finals journey. In the 2000 NBA Finals, Miller and his Indiana Pacers showed their strength and represented the Eastern Conference, but ultimately fell to the Los Angeles Lakers, led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, in six games.
While he recognizes the achievement of reaching the Finals, Miller, who was 34 and in his 13th season with the Pacers when they reached the Finals, does not find comfort in nearly winning on basketball’s biggest stage. Time has not changed Miller’s view.
“There is no prize for finishing second,” Miller stated in an exclusive interview with CBS Sports when asked if he views that series with fondness or disappointment. “Reaching that point is a good experience, but success is judged by winning championships. This is my personal perspective. Battling Shaq and Kobe was exciting, but losing in six games is still a disappointment. Being in the Finals was amazing, but history remembers champions, not runners-up.”
Miller understands what the current Pacers are experiencing after their recent Finals defeat. Miller, who was present at courtside for most of Indiana’s playoff journey, made sure to support the players outside the locker room after their Game 7 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Miller praised the current team when discussing the legacy of his Pacers teams.
“We faced challenges,” Miller commented. “We competed against strong teams. We lost to Shaq and Kobe, Michael and Scottie, and Patrick [Ewing]. However, we also defeated the Knicks to advance. I am proud that my Pacers teams never showed fear. We were always willing to face anyone. We felt that if a loose ball, rebound, or shot went our way, we could have secured a few championships. Although it didn’t happen, I appreciate the effort of all my teammates.
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“There are no other teammates I would have rather battled with. They embodied the spirit of being a Hoosier and a Pacer, giving their all. This year’s team had the same spirit. They played for each other, just like we did. It’s not about individual performance, but about supporting each other and representing the passionate fan base. This was evident in the performances of [Tyrese] Haliburton, [Pascal] Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, and Myles Turner. They played as a team, and it showed.”
Miller never secured an NBA title, but he achieved something in retirement that brings him equal joy. He completed last year’s Life Time Tahoe Trail mountain bike race. Miller, who started cycling near the end of his NBA career, completed the challenging 62.1-mile race in 5 hours and 42 minutes, reaching his goal of finishing in under six hours.
“When I finished, I felt like I had won my NBA championship,” he said. “Receiving that medal was an incredible feeling.”
Cycling has become a passion for Miller, who will compete in the event again this weekend. He retired from the NBA at the end of the 2004-05 season. While many former athletes choose less demanding activities like golf after their careers, Miller enjoys the physical and mental demands of cycling.
“When you’re cycling alone, especially on steep climbs, your mind can play tricks on you,” Miller stated. “This is what I love about mountain biking because it tests your sense of self. Your mind goes to different places. That’s the beauty of mountain biking.”
To prepare for this weekend’s race, which he described as the “most challenging course I have ever faced,” Miller followed a rigorous workout plan. His recovery rides consisted of 25-mile, 90-minute sessions. His main weekly workouts included consecutive rides of 50 to 70 miles. Miller managed this despite his busy schedule as an NBA commentator.
Cycling has benefited Miller in many ways. It has helped him stay in excellent shape, and he said he weighs less now than during his NBA career. Cycling has also satisfied his competitive spirit. The sport has also allowed his children, who were born after his NBA career, to see him compete in something he loves, teaching them valuable life lessons.
“They have attended many of my races,” Miller shared. “I want to show them that they can overcome any challenge and that life is about overcoming obstacles. There will be moments that make you reconsider your path, and you need to adjust and persevere. Cycling has taught me and shown them these lessons. No matter how difficult the race, Dad still finishes, hopefully. Seeing their happiness and having them support me during my cross-country races is special.”
