Reggie Miller Showcases Maturity in Response to Stephen Jackson

Over 20 years later, Indiana Pacers fans remember the agony of the Malice at the Palace debacle. The all-out brawl, which bled into the stands, cost a title-contending Pacers team a chance at the 2005 NBA championship. More importantly, it ruined the last season of Pacers legend Reggie Miller, and for that, All the Smoke podcast co-host Stephen Jackson apologized. 

On Nov. 19, 2004, the Detroit Pistons hosted the Pacers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. In a routine, physical matchup of early 2000s Eastern Conference basketball, an unruly fan threw a drink at Pacers forward Ron Artest, who was lying on a scorer's table after an altercation with Pistons center Ben Wallace. 

With only 49 seconds left in the game, the Pacers' next decision not only led to embarrassment for the league but also ruined Miller's final shot at NBA championship success. 

Numerous Pacers players, including Jackson, ran into the stands and engaged in fights with fans.

The late, great David Stern, who was the NBA's commissioner at the time, imposed significant suspensions on the Pacers, including Artest, Jackson, and Jermaine O'Neal. 

Despite the lengthy suspensions, the Pacers made the playoffs as the sixth seed, thanks in large part to Rick Carlisle's outstanding coaching. However, in an unfortunate twist, the Pacers would face the Pistons in the first round, who didn't have any suspended players, resulting in the elimination of the Miller-led team.

On a recent episode of All the Smoke, Jackson acknowledged his faults for Miller's last season being wrecked by the Malice in the Palace. 

"I never had a chance to tell you that I am sorry," Jackson said. "We all understood what our motivation was for that season. It wasn't for us; it was for you. As a whole motivation for getting things done the right way and getting a championship was for you... With me saying that I love you even more, because you defended me,  because you knew I was being a loyal teammate."

For a podcast known more for its roasting and lighter tone, Jackson's apology triggered Miller to become emotional. With tears in his eyes and a shaky voice, Miller responded to Jackson's apology.

"You don't need to say that to me, man.. You don't need to apologize to me, man... Those last few years in Indiana were my best years," Miller said. "I didn't have my superpowers, but you guys made me feel like I was Superman. Ya'll were some dogs, man... That team, we were stacked, man... You don't need to apologize because that's basketball, that's life." 

Considering Miller spent 18 years with the Pacers, crowning the last few years of his career as his best, conveys how much the O'Neal, Artest, Jackson era meant to the franchise icon. More importantly, his forgiving nature, despite the costly aftermath of the Malice at the Palace, showcases how much he loved his teammates and his maturity in letting go of something that occurred over 20 years ago.

Although Miller never won a championship, he has a heart of gold.