In a recent episode of the “All The Smoke” podcast, NBA legend Reggie Miller shared some interesting details about how he instigated Kobe Bryant before their fight during a Lakers-Pacers game in 2002.
“They had just won the championship and were about ready to win the game,” narrated Miller, while speaking about the incident. “When you’re up, 22 seconds left, what are you supposed to do? Dribble it out.”
“He [Bryant] said, ‘If I get this ball, I’m going to shoot it.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m sure you are going to shoot it, Kobe. Because that’s what you do. You’re just out here, you try to get stats. Yeah. Go ahead and get your numbers, Kobe. That’s what it’s all about.”
Miller was aware that if Bryant approached him, the situation would escalate into a melee. He then added, “He took one step to me, and I body checked him. Pick him up, take him to the scorer’s table.”
Miller even went on to talk about the aftermath of the fight. He said Bryant called him up and couldn’t believe what they did. Miller then added, “He wanted to do everything like Mike [Jordan]. He knew Mike’s and my history, I think he wanted a part of that.”
This is what Reggie Miller said to Kobe Bryant, before fighting at the end of a Lakers vs Pacers game 👀
Via @allthesmokeprod pic.twitter.com/VsfAa4sA3E
— Kobe Bryant Stories & Motivation (@kobehighlight) April 24, 2025
Miller had played the role of a mentor to Bryant when the Lakers guard was coming up in the league. As a student of the game, Bryant constantly picked Miller’s brain about the different aspects of it. However, this game saw a completely different side to their relationship.
Kobe Bryant, in the 2001-02 season, was a two-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers. In his short time in the league, Bryant had adapted to the competitive environment and become one of its brightest young players as well.
The game against the Indiana Pacers had some precedent. The Lakers had faced Indiana in the NBA Finals two seasons prior, and the result saw the Purple and Gold emerge victorious.
This match between the two finalists from 2000 saw the Lakers emerge victorious yet again after a 96-84 win. However, the fight between the two star guards was the primary talking point for the night. Both Bryant and Miller were then handed two-game suspensions after the fight.
The 2000 NBA Finals series between the Lakers and the Pacers was hard-fought. Los Angeles only emerged victorious after a 4-2 win, but the six-game series was a war.
The star performer for the Purple and Gold in this series was none other than Shaquille O’Neal, who recorded an average of 38 points and 16.7 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, a young Kobe Bryant contributed to the winning effort with 15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.
The Pacers saw Reggie Miller and Jalen Rose emerge as the primary contributors. Miller contributed 24.3 points per game. Meanwhile, Rose came in with 23.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
Although the Pacers had more significant contributors and much more balanced output across the board, the Lakers simply overpowered them behind O’Neal’s dominant performances.
