“Maybe for the first time, basketball wasn’t enjoyable for me” – Reggie Miller Explains How the New Generation of Indiana Pacers Players Influenced His Retirement
January 1, 2025 | By Sports Desk Reporter
In an exclusive interview with ESPN, basketball legend Reggie Miller opened up about the pivotal factors that led to his decision to retire from the NBA. The Hall of Famer, known for his sharpshooting and iconic moments with the Indiana Pacers, explained how the evolution of the game, the changing landscape of team dynamics, and a new generation of players ultimately made his love for the game fade.
Miller, who spent his entire 18-season career with the Pacers, was a cornerstone of the team throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. Known for his clutch performances, fiery competitiveness, and a career that made him one of the most lethal shooters in NBA history, Miller has always been associated with Indiana’s heart and soul. However, as the years went on, the game began to change in ways that Miller, despite his legendary status, found increasingly difficult to embrace.
“Maybe for the first time, basketball wasn’t enjoyable for me,” Miller confessed during the interview. “I reached a point where it wasn’t just about the X’s and O’s anymore. It was the environment, the culture, the players… it felt different. And I found myself questioning whether I was truly having fun.”
Miller explained that one of the most significant shifts that led to his decision to retire was the generational divide between himself and the younger players that started to dominate the Pacers’ roster. While Miller’s Pacers teams in the 1990s were known for their grit, defense, and hard-nosed, team-first mentality, the newer crop of players, many of whom were highly touted young stars, brought a different approach to the game.
“I respect the talent these young guys have, but they don’t approach the game the same way we did,” Miller said. “There’s more focus on individual accomplishments, and sometimes it felt like I was trying to force something that wasn’t there anymore. In the locker room, I didn’t always feel like I was on the same wavelength as them. It was like a different language.”
Miller pointed to the rise of analytics in the game and the increasing emphasis on three-point shooting as two key factors that made him feel out of place. As one of the most iconic three-point shooters of his era, Miller certainly appreciated the evolution of the game, but he noted that the pace and style of play had moved away from his preferred, more deliberate style.
“I grew up playing a game where defense, passing, and taking the right shot mattered. We didn’t rely on the three-pointer as the end-all-be-all. It was about working for the best shot,” Miller reflected. “Now, everyone is just chucking threes, and the game has become so fast-paced, it’s exhausting.”
The Indiana Pacers, in particular, underwent a significant transformation after Miller’s retirement. In recent years, the team has leaned into a more modern, perimeter-oriented style of play under the leadership of younger stars like Tyrese Haliburton and others. While the Pacers have remained competitive, Miller admits that the team’s direction, while successful, left him struggling to relate to his role within it.
“I was used to a culture of sacrifice. A culture where playing for the team came first. Now it’s more about how you can make yourself look good to get noticed. It’s not bad, but it’s not what I was used to. And after so long, it started to feel like work.”
Miller did clarify that his decision to step away was ultimately his own, and he was grateful for the moments of triumph that defined his career. Despite the challenges he faced, he expressed admiration for the talent of the current Pacers squad, praising Haliburton as a player who embodies the potential for the team to rise again.
“I’m proud of what we built here, and I have no regrets. I’m glad the Pacers are in good hands now. Haliburton is a special player, and I can see the promise in this team. It’s just a different time now, and I’m okay with stepping aside,” Miller concluded.
While Miller’s retirement marked the end of an era for the Pacers, his impact on the team and the NBA as a whole remains undeniable. As the game continues to evolve, one thing remains certain: Reggie Miller’s legacy will forever be etched in the annals of Indiana basketball history.
