Mark Jackson, current Golden State Warriors head coach and former teammate of Reggie Miller with the Indiana Pacers, insinuated that Miller was the third-best shooting guard of all-time:
“When you take Michael Jordan and you take Kobe Bryant out of the discussion, he’s as good as any two-guard that has ever played the game,” Jackson said.
As a New York Knicks fan during the 1980s and 90s, I can say without any doubt or regret that I hated Reggie Miller, even more than Michael Jordan or Larry Bird, both of whom killed the Knicks and blocked them from advancing far in the playoffs. Miller was different because he relished being the “bad guy” and he was damn good at it. He talked tons of smack and backed up every single syllable spewing from his mouth.
However, to say or even insinuate that Miller is better than Jerry West, the Logo, is kind of nonsensical. Last year, I did a ranking of the 10 best shooting guards of the past three decades on The Basketball Jones and ranked Miller as fifth. Ahead of him, I had Jordan, Kobe, Clyde Drexler, and Dwyane Wade. Looking back on it, I’d probably switch The Glide and Flash’s places, but I’d probably keep Reggie where he is at five with Ray Allen right behind him.
But, when we’re talking about ranking players, it’s all opinion. Mark Jackson has his about Reggie Miller and we all have our own. I just think mine is better than Mark Jackson’s in this case.