If there is one thing that we learned from all the stories about Michael Jordan and his mythical playing days, it's that he was not the guy you poked at. His competitive fire burned hotter than anyone else on the floor, every single night, and most players simply avoided looking at him the wrong way. However, there was Reggie Miller , one of Jordan's fiercest rivals during their battle for Eastern Conference supremacy in the late 1990s. Unlike most, Miller had a little maneuver up his sleeve that really rattled MJ, and, surprisingly, it had something to do with his shoe brand.
"I did later in my career (wore Jordan's), the last two or three years. I wasn't technically a Jordan Athlete, because MJ never endorsed me technically…" Miller admitted in his recent appearance on the "Dan Patrick Show."
Jordan Brand had by then reached full fruition and was one of the most popular basketball shoes of the era—and to be honest, it's only grown more iconic with time. But back then, the brand was reserved for a very select few, primarily the closest members of the Chicago Bulls and those who had earned Michael's approval.
Uncle Regg, as talented as he was, didn't fall into either category, so he decided to go rogue. The two always butted heads on the court anyway, from Miller's deadly three-point shooting to his relentless trash talk, and the shoes were just another way to get under MJ's skin.
"A lot of times I was wearing them, especially when he was at his height, I wore Jordan's just to piss him off. Because no one was supposed to be wearing Jordan Brand other than his teammates, like Ron Harper or Pip, at times. Other players weren't supposed to, technically, wear Jordan's. But I wore 'em only when I played him," he added.
Reggie's little stunt clearly got a reaction, but according to His Airness, it wasn't the footwear that truly annoyed him. Instead, it was Reggie's slim frame and crafty style of play that made him such a nightmare to go up against. Jordan despised the way Miller could slip through defenses, draw fouls, and get away with a lot on both ends of the floor.
"I don't dislike anybody in the league, but playing Reggie Miller drives me nuts. It's like chicken-fighting with a woman. His game is all this flopping-type thing. He weighs only 185 pounds, so you have to be careful; don't touch him, or it's a foul," MJ once pointed out about his rival.
Over the course of their careers, Michael faced Reggie 56 times—49 in the regular season and seven in the playoffs. Jordan came out on top in 36 of those matchups, averaging 29.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists. Miller, meanwhile, held his own with 18.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game against the GOAT. Uncle Reg indeed had his own ways of rattling the greatest of all time, and one thing was clear: he was never a guy to be messed around with.
Related: Reggie Miller believes LeBron James will fit in perfectly with the Lakers this season
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Nov 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
