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Magic Johnson Faces Strong Complaint From Former NBA Rival Reggie Miller

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rodney Knuppel | Last updated May 15, 2025 10:17 PM ET

The days of the 1990s NBA are long gone, but the legacy and the trash talk from that era continue to echo loudly in today's basketball world.

Reggie Miller, the 6-foot-7 sharpshooter famously known as one of the biggest trash talkers the NBA has ever seen, has recently fired shots at one of the greatest point guards of all time. Miller, who played his entire career with the Indiana Pacers from 1987 to 2005, shared his unfiltered opinion on Magic Johnson’s playing style.

During that period, Miller faced some of the league's best, but few matchups stood out as much as those against Johnson. Johnson's iconic NBA career spanned from 1979 to 1991 before briefly returning in 1996. His command of the game and on-court leadership made him one of the most respected figures in basketball.

On Thursday, Miller appeared on the popular All The Smoke podcast, hosted by former NBA players Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. Known for candid conversations and behind-the-scenes insight, the podcast gave Miller a platform to speak his mind..

"Magic Johnson was calling all fouls,” Miller claimed on Instagram, following up on comments made during the podcast appearance.

In the clip, Barnes brought up Johnson’s play in the 1980s, prompting an emphatic response from Miller: “PHANTOM CALLS.”

Miller elaborated further, adding, “He could go to the hole, be wide open, miss a layup, and call a foul.” His tone made it clear that he felt Johnson was given the benefit of the doubt by referees more than once.

Magic Johnson, a five-time NBA champion, won three Finals MVPs and was named league MVP three times. He spent his entire professional playing career with the Los Angeles Lakers and returned briefly as the team's head coach in 1994. His accolades, vision, and leadership earned him widespread admiration.

Miller, while never picking up a championship ring, had an equally storied career. Drafted 11th overall in 1987, he became a five-time All-Star and scored 25,279 points before retiring. Despite falling short in the Finals, Miller’s reputation as a fierce competitor and one of the league’s most clutch shooters is firmly cemented.

Trash talk aside, the exchange reminds fans just how much the game and its rivalries have changed over the decades.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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