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    Bruno
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Reggie to premier movie on Knicks-Pacers rivalry in Indy

By Bruno • December 15, 2009 • 12:08 PM
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When filmmaker Dan Klores first approached him about producing a movie based on his role in the Pacers-Knicks rivalry of the 1990s, Reggie Miller wasn't interested.

"There (are) a lot of deep down emotions still between obviously the Knicks and the Pacers," Miller said, "but he came to California, kind of sold me on his vision and Gail (D'Agostino, Miller's representative) and I jumped on board."


Reggie Miller at the podium Tuesday in Conseco Fieldhouse. (Frank McGrath/Pacers)

That project, "Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The New York Knicks," will premiere on Friday, Feb. 26, 2010 in Conseco Fieldhouse. The film is part of ESPN Films' acclaimed "30 for 30" documentary series, centered around the Pacers' 4-3 victory over the Knicks in the 1995 Eastern Conference semifinals and Miller's central role in building the rivalry.

"Believe it or not, I'm a New Yorker but I was a Pacer fan," said Klores. "I grew up a Knick fan but when (former Pacers President) Donnie Walsh, who was a friend of mine for 40 years, took this job, I evolved into a Pacer fan. I have Knicks season tickets and I'd sit there, in the mid-'90s, (among) 19,000 Knicks fans and I'd be rooting for Rik Smits. I wasn't too popular in the stands. I walked out of the arena – just left – when they made that terrible call against Antonio Davis on Larry Johnson. I just walked out.

"This is a film about the rivalry beginning in '93 up till '95. I always looked at it as Reggie Miller is not merely a great basketball player but he's an artist as all great, great individuals are in whatever they do. If you're great, there's an artistic sense. He's a performance artist and he performed on the biggest stage in the world, Madison Square Garden."

Klores said the film addresses four main moments:

  • John Starks' head-butt of Miller and subsequent ejection from in Game 3 of a first-round series in 1993;

  • Miller's 25-point fourth quarter in Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, rallying the Pacers from a 12-point deficit to a 93-86 victory and a 3-2 series lead;

  • Miller's eight points in 8.9 seconds to bring the Pacers back from a six-point deficit into a 107-105 victory in Game 1 of the 1995 conference semifinals;

  • Patrick Ewing's missed finger-roll at the buzzer as the Pacers eliminated the Knicks in Game 7 in the '95 semis.

    "These moments converge," said Klores. "Everyone has a different perspective on every second of what happened there."

    A prominent perspective is that of Spike Lee, who became Miller's foil during those rivalry years.

    "Spike is a big part of the film, also," Klores said. "I'm not sure you're going to give him a special day in Indiana after the things he has to say. Like everyone, I'm an advocate for forgiveness but there may be a decade or two more for that here."

    Miller said he chose Indianapolis for the premier because he wanted to "show it to the masses, to the real fans."

    "People always talk about giving back. I was so blessed for 18 years to play for one organization. The fans and the community that I grew up here in Indiana, they embraced me. Coming from California – which is also in the film who you guys really wanted in Steve Alford – you guys opened your arms to myself and my family. So on Feb. 26, tickets are $10, we want it to be date night, family night, please come on out. We'll try to make it like a regular movie, which it will be, $10, get your popcorn, enjoy yourselves. It's a great project."
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