Reggie Miller on his rivalry with Kobe Bryant: "I love him, I hate him, and I respect him"

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Known for his unbreakable competitive spirit, Reggie Miller had a deep-seated aversion to losing. Despite his burning desire to always come out on top, Miller recognized rivals with the same hunger for victory. “Uncle Reg” admittedly respected Kobe Bryant’s unparalleled talent, work ethic, and grit.

Throughout his legendary career, Miller took on a wide array of foes, but he never felt as torn between love, hate, and respect as he did with Kobe. For Reggie, Bryant had always been his rival, but what he accomplished in the NBA from Day 1 deserved nothing but admiration, even from his biggest nemeses.

“I love him, I hate him, and I respect him,” Miller told USA Today of Kobe in 2016. “I love him because, when you come in at 18, and you play 20 years at the shooting guard position, and to end it all with one (championship ring) for the thumb and the amount of minutes, points, and mileage that he’s put on his baggage, that shows me a love for the game.”

The Miller vs. Bryant rivalry

Miller and Bryant’s rivalry dates back to the late ’90s when the Los Angeles Lakers started dominating in the West while the Indiana Pacers did the same thing in the East. Sparks flew whenever Miller and Bryant crossed paths on the court, with both explosive shooting guards refusing to back down from anybody put in front of them.

The intense matchups between the two were not just about scoring points or winning games; they were also duels of will, determination, and skill. Both had an undeniable thirst for winning and dominance, which fueled their performances and made every encounter a spectacle. At one point, the heat of the rivalry even prompted Miller and Kobe to settle it with their fists.

While the competition between Miller and Bryant was fierce and unforgiving, it was also marked by mutual respect for one another’s capabilities. Miller’s distaste for losing only highlighted his respect for Bryant’s greatness, recognizing him as a worthy adversary and a true icon of the game. On the other hand, Kobe felt the same way about the Pacers’ legend.

Reggie admired Kobe’s maturity

Having lasted 18 years in the NBA, Miller knew exactly how it felt to decline. In Reggie’s eyes, Bryant did an incredible job in gracefully embracing the so-called “Father Time.” Despite being known for his unwavering dedication and fierce competitiveness, Kobe consciously acknowledged that the time had come for younger talents to shine. He also showed his willingness to adapt to change and even share his knowledge of the game with the new breed of future NBA stars.

In a sport where legends rise and fall, Bryant’s decision to step back and allow a new generation of players to take the stage was something Miller applauded. Even though Reggie still hates the fact that Bryant and the Lakers prevented him from winning a championship, he would always revere “Black Mamba” for epitomizing what true greatness is all about.

“I hate him because, in 2000 when we battled for a championship, he was just too good. Obviously, along with Shaq (O’Neal), that Laker team denied me from the ultimate goal in winning a championship. And I respect him for what he is doing now, because you’ve got to take a back seat. Father time catches up to all of us, and to have to be able to pass the torch and the legacy to guys like D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle, it’s tough for superstars to give an inch and Kobe has had to take a step back and assess what’s important to him,” Miller added of Bryant.

“So, I respect him giving back to these young guys and teaching them what it’s going to take to be successful in this league,” he continued.

Reggie’s unforgettable Kobe moment

As rivals, Miller and Bryant had contrasting styles of play. Kobe was a relentless attacker with a lethal mid-range and three-point shooting, while Reggie was more of a sharpshooter who could find his sweet spots on the court.

However, Miller occasionally pulled off his go-to move, which involved a quick step-back followed by a flawless jump shot that often left defenders helpless. According to “Uncle Reg,” Bryant once proved his eagerness to be the best by stealing his signature move. Moreover, Miller said Kobe had the guts to even use it against him during a game.

“As he’s running down the court, he pats me on the back and says, ‘you never should have shown me that step back,'” Miller once recalled.

Indeed, Miller and Bryant engaged in an intense yet healthy rivalry throughout their NBA careers. In retrospect, the biggest takeaway was not their heated matchups but how they showed us how to balance competitiveness, class, and sportsmanship.