Everything Reggie Miller said about Pacers on TNT broadcast
Hall of Famer Reggie Miller returned to his old stomping ground Thursday night as an analyst on TNT’s national broadcast of the Indiana Pacers’ 81-76 victory over the New York Knicks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Here’s a comprehensive transcript of Miller’s remarks about his former team.
On Paul George:
“He’s becoming the face of this franchise. Paul George should be one of those East reserves (on the All-Star team). What a lot of people underestimate about Paul George is his ability to rebound the basketball. So long at that shooting guard/small forward position. This kid has so much athleticism. Not only can he stretch the floor, he can put the ball on the deck and get to the rim.”
On Ian Mahinmi:
“He can stretch the floor. You saw it in Dallas.”
On Miller’s return:
“It’s great here. I love the fans.”
On Roy Hibbert:
“Defensively, he’s been solid for the Pacers. Offensively, they were expecting a little bit more from Hibbert.”
On what Danny Granger’s return could mean:
“Once they get him back, that will spread the floor a little bit, put another 3-point shooter on the floor and open it up for Roy Hibbert down low.”
On David West:
“With the struggles early of George and Hibbert, David West was the rock of this team. Got them through the doldrums early.”
On Lance Stephenson:
“Some of the off-the-court problems have shaped up. He’s gotten his act straight. He’s been a big contributor early in the season. He’s been a pleasant surprise in the absence of Danny Granger.”
On Indiana’s defense:
“You’re talking about one of the top two teams defensively. That’s what they hang their hat on. They get it done at the defensive end. They grind it out. You’ve got a great defensive team. It’s not going to be pretty basketball offensively, but they grind their way to victories. This is how the Pacers win. They grind games out.”
On the Pacers’ outlook this season:
“They possibly could challenge the Heat along with the Knicks in the Eastern Conference.”
