These numbers aren’t just great they’re historic. Across those five postseasons, Miller averaged a gaudy 26.1 points per 75 possessions (adjusted for current pace) on an unprecedented +9 relative true shooting percentage. He somehow got even better and put together one of the best five-year playoff scoring stretches in NBA history. One would expect Miller’s production to dip, or at the very least stagnate, against such formidable competition. Why Is Reggie Miller Underrated? Noren Trotman/NBAE via Getty Images Not only that, two of those defenses (19 Knicks) rank as the top five defenses of all-time. Of those nine series, three came against the league’s top-ranked defense, while four other opponents ranked inside the top 10. His diverse three-level-scoring arsenal translated extremely well against intensified postseason defenses, particularly during his peak years.Īt Miller’s postseason apex from 1991-1995, he played a total of nine playoff series. This is ironic, as Miller elevated his game in the postseason more than just about anyone. However, he rarely gets brought up as one of the best overall playoff performers ever to live. His incredible playoff moments against the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls went down in NBA lore. Miller is commonly known as one of the most clutch players in NBA history. All-Time Great Playoff Performer Anne Ryan-USA TODAY via Imagn Content Services, LLC The Pacers went as far as Miller could take them. Not so coincidentally, Miller missed four of the Pacers’ five playoff games that year. The Pacers’ offensive excellence seamlessly carried over into the playoffs every year of Miller’s prime, except one: 1996. Despite not having another elite scoring option alongside him during his career, Miller was the driving force behind a lethal Indiana offense that ranked in the top 8 of offensive rating nine times in 11 years and boasted the league’s best offense twice in 19. This combination of scoring and playmaking naturally led to immense team success on offense. So while Miller didn’t accumulate many assists due to his low ball dominance, he made up for it with all-time great scoring gravity and off-ball playmaking. This subsequently left Miller’s Pacers teammates open and created a surplus of scoring opportunities for them. As he constantly moved without the ball, multiple defenders would typically swarm Miller before he could even get his hands on the rock. Miller’s scoring prowess elicited defensive attention his way at inexorably high levels. Miller’s assist total also seems low, but it completely undersells his playmaking. Miller is the most efficient (relative to the era) at +8.1% career relative true shooting. Miller is also one NBA player to score 24,000 career points. He was regularly 10% above league-average efficiency, which is Stephen Curry-esque. Additionally, his ability to do it in an inside-out defensive era is even more remarkable. So, why is Reggie Miller underrated? Miller topped the 58% True Shooting mark for every season of his career and broke into the 60% threshold an insane 13 times. Embodied Efficiency Focus on Sport/Getty Images He’s one of the few players in NBA history that could combine elite off-ball offense with solid on-ball shot creation and scoring versatility. Reggie Miller embodied efficiency, thanks to his elite skill set that allowed him to make plays with and without the ball and score effectively from all three levels.
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