"It looks so good they just fall for it" - Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston ripped Reggie Miller over flopping during Knicks vs. Pacers playoff series

Yahoo

26-05-2025

In light of the intense Eastern Conference Finals duel between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks this season, it's worth taking a quick trip down memory lane when Knicks stars Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston voiced their frustrations over facing Pacers' marksman Reggie Miller.
Back in 2000, the Knicks set their sights on returning to the NBA Finals, eager to avenge the bitter disappointment of their loss to the San Antonio Spurs the previous year. On the other hand, Miller and the Pacers were equally determined to thwart the Knicks' aspirations, believing that the time had finally come to capture their first championship, especially with the legendary Michael Jordan now retired.
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As the series unfolded, the Pacers quickly established dominance by securing a commanding 2-0 lead. Indy's early lead left New York feeling frustrated and disheartened. However, what truly fueled their ire was that "Ungle Reg'" was engaging in excessive flopping throughout the games, a tactic that only intensified the rivalry between the two teams.
"He keeps drawing those fouls, they give him the calls," Sprewell said of Miller's dirty tricks at the time via The New York Post. "We're always talking to the refs, 'He's flopping, he's flopping,' but I guess it looks so good they just fall for it. He's good at it, though."
"You do have to be aware when you're guarding him," the All-Star forward continued. "If you get any kind of elbow on him, he's going to lock your arms into his and go into his little deal. I keep my hands up so they know if he's doing that, it's not because I pushed him."
Houston refused to get even
Understandably, Houston echoed the same sentiments as his teammate regarding the sharpshooter's flopping. Allan made it clear to everybody that he did not harbor any personal animosity toward the Pacers superstar for his tendency to relentlessly sell fouls to the officials. He also emphasized that he would not resort to such unsportsmanlike conduct just to get even with "Uncle Reg."
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Instead of plotting revenge on Reggie, "H20" expressed a desire for the referees to apply the same level of scrutiny to Miller's actions in the upcoming games. Ultimately, Houston was just hoping for a more balanced approach to officiating.
"I'm not going to do what he does, I just hope if he grabs and holds just like I grab and hold they'll call a foul on him like they call on me," the Knicks' starting shooting guard said of Miller's flopping. "I'm not going to go out of my way to those antics. I'm just going to be aggressive and hope I get the same calls."
"It's not frustrating, I just hope I get the same calls that he gets," Houston pointed out. "That's all. The key for me is when I get one or two to just try and stay in the game. Then if you get a couple of offensive calls on you because he's flopping, you've just got to adjust to it."
The Knicks won the next two games. However, "Uncle Reg" and the Pacers still prevailed and closed the series out in Game 6.
Reggie had to do it
The 2000 playoff series against the Knicks was not the first instance in which Miller infamously flopped during games. Over the years, it became increasingly evident to Reggie's fellow NBA players that he had a penchant for exaggerating body contact.
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In the process, "Uncle Reg" developed a reputation as an expert in flopping. As expected, not all were pleased with Miller's trait. However, the man in question once offered a surprisingly rational explanation for his tactics.
According to Miller, he already recognized early on that he was not gifted with the same athletic physique as many of his matchups. Reggie claimed that he was prompted to be strategic to level the playing field against larger and stronger opponents.
Rather than risking injury by confronting his opponents fair and square, Miller opted to put his lanky frame to use and utilize flopping as a means to gain an advantage. For the Pacers legend, this approach, though not advisable, allowed him to navigate the challenges he often encountered and be highly effective as a player.
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"Hey, I had to be. At my size, I had to be. I had to act like I was getting killed out there," Miller said in an interview with SLAM when asked if he was the "master of the good flop."
"Most officials are gonna look if you are 180, 185 [pounds]. I mean you are going to the hole and Patrick Ewing is 260-270, you gotta act like you were just killed," the Hall of Fame shooting guard further explained.
Truth be told, flopping is not tolerated in the sport, especially in the NBA. However, through this unlawful yet clever strategy, the Indiana icon showcased his brilliance as a competitor and highlighted his ability to adapt. But for his fiercest rivals, particularly the Knicks, Miller gave them all the more reason to hate him with his flopping.
Related: "Lanky, light-skinned, trash-talker, clutch" - Chris Broussard anoints Tyrese Haliburton as the new Reggie Miller