Legendary Indiana Pacer shooting guard Reggie Miller had the most genuine reaction to making the NBA 75 Team as his TNT coworkers told him on live tv.
To commemorate its illustrious 75-year history, the NBA has released its official NBA 75 Team. Thousands of players over seven decades, but only 75 have made the final cut.
While fiery debates are already taking place about the names left off the list, one name that was included was rather unexpected — the NBA superstar himself couldn’t believe he was on it.
When Ernie Johnson looped in Miller, who has been a TNT NBA analysts since 2005, to their Warriors-Clippers pregame coverage, Johnson cleverly broke the news that Miller and Curry had both made the NBA 75 list. Miller was in such disbelief that it took him several seconds to process what Johnson even said.
“I know [that conversation with Steph Curry] happened just before the season began, correct, Reggie?” Johnson asked as Miller nodded.
“So you had no idea at that point that you guys would be teammates on this night, huh?” Johnson replied, dropping a clue that the two were teammates on the exclusive list.
Miller furrowed his eyebrows as Johnson clarified: “You made it.”
Miller’s co-analysts cheer and congratulate Miller, but Miller still didn’t get the message.
“Wait… what are you guys talking about?” Miller said. Then he put it all together, exclaiming “Whoa!” as he made a heartfelt acceptance speech.
Reggie Miller has best reaction to learning he made the NBA 75 Team
Like any all-time ranking list, the NBA 75 Team was set to stir debate by leaving some names off, but the list is intended to commemorate those who have changed the game of basketball with their unparalleled careers.
The NBA released a similar list in the 1996-1997 season to commemorate the league’s 50th anniversary. For what it’s worth, all of the original 50 players included on that list remain on the 75 Team, a testament to how basketball’s greats remain hallowed even as time goes on.
Although Miller was making history with the Pacers in the 1990s, he wasn’t included on the NBA 50 Team.
Widely recognized as one of the greatest NBA shooters in history, Miller is one of only eight players to join the 50–40–90 club. He has made 2,560 3-pointers in his career, which was an NBA record at the time of his retirement in 2005.
To add to all his accolades, Miller is now a 5-time NBA All-Star and one of the 75 greatest players of all time.