Reggie Miller, Who Threw a Punch at Michael Jordan, Claims His Hardest Cover Was Not MJ but This NBA Legend

Michael Jordan had a hard time versus Reggie Miller’s Pacers in the 1998 postseason. It was a tough-fought series and the magnitude of the competition was to the point where Miller punched Michael. This had everyone believe Jordan was Reggie’s toughest opponent, but it wasn’t the case at all.

Another player who was a pretty good scorer, all the way from Croatia, was Miller’s hardest cover. Trash talking is one of the very aspects of playing competitively. Throughout history, there have been many players who try to get under their opponent’s skin. One of the international players did the same to Miller.

Croatian player had Reggie Miller frustrated

Miller once described Drazen Petrovic as his nemesis and that he couldn’t stand him. Recently on Dan Patrick’s show, Reggie told the same. When asked who his hardest cover was, Reggie said that Drazen Petrovic would get him mad with his antics. Miller said that Drazen would talk a lot of trash to him. Petrovic has been praised by a lot of players and everyone knows him as a great shooter.

Petrovic played only 4 seasons in the NBA. His last 2 seasons were the best, where he averaged 21 points on a 44% shooting from outside for the New Jersey Nets. Though Petrovic was more of a star playing in Yugoslavia and Spain, he also faced the Dream Team where he surprised Michael Jordan and company.

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Miller also once said that Petrovic was the best shooter he had ever played against. Not only that, but Petrovic’s release was also quick and had defenders contest late no matter how close they were.

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Being an absolute pure shooter and scorer, Petrovic was just getting started. But during the summer of 1993, he passed away in a car accident.

Petrovic once went one on one with Michael Jordan

In his 2 peak seasons, Petrovic faced MJ multiple times. He once dropped 26 points on Jordan in 1992. In that game, Jordan had 40 points, while not even attempting a single three-pointer. Moreover Petrovic drained 3 threes but lost the game by 11.

Petrovic left too early, as his talent would’ve provided him so much more. He is still respected by players around the league and legends like Reggie Miller and others. What are your thoughts on Petrovic being Reggie Miller’s weakness? Do let us know in the comments.