New York in the ’90s was a different beast – raw, electric, and full of characters who defined an era. You name a team, and the hate will be here. But back then, there was one who choked the Knicks where it hurts: their home. The iconic Madison Square Garden. Yes, Reggie Miller was the Indiana Pacers’ cold-blooded sniper, the man who turned MSG into his playground and still holds a record that remains in the books. Miller’s 421 playoff points scored at Madison Square Garden are the most for a visiting player in NBA history! You do not get that number from everyone. But behind his brutal assault, he was an innocent admirer. Macaulay Culkin. Macaulay wasn’t just a child star; he was a cultural phenomenon, the mischievous face of Home Alone who made every kid wish they could outsmart burglars. Nostalgic, right? Miller agrees.

Their paths first crossed in the summer of ’93, back when Mac was the most famous kid on the planet. Somehow, between Reggie’s battles with the Knicks and Mac’s Hollywood chaos, they found a shared love for basketball. They bonded over it, hung out for a bit, and moved on to their paths. Reggie kept shooting threes, Mac stepped away from the spotlight, and the ‘90s faded into memory. Until last night when decades after their unforgettable hangs, NYC’s rival and NYC’s forgotten child found themselves reunited, this time under the bright lights of an NBA event.

It was a surreal full-circle moment for two icons who once roamed Manhattan’s streets in what Reggie Miller called the “good ole days.” The Hall of Famer reminisced as he posted two pictures, one from the current meetup and one knocking on the doors to nostalgia. “True Story: Back in the early 90’s I met up with Macaulay and his brother Kieran in NYC during the summer, Macaulay was the biggest child star actor in the world, this was right after Home Alone and My Girl movies.” Happy faces, old memories, and nostalgia all through the post. But Miller didn’t stop.

What made those nights special for them was a shared basketball obsession. “But little do people know, he along with his brother Kieran are basketball aficionados, they knew stats for just about every basketball player in the 80’s AND 90’s” Miller revealed. Miller would spend time with the boys doing what all of them loved the most. “We would talk basketball for hours.” That passion came full circle when Macaulay received a gift fit for a superfan, a custom Lakers jersey, honoring his lifelong love for the game.

But more than nostalgia, something more happened. At the event, honoring Culkin’s fandom couldn’t have been more fitting. Prestigious, a night to remember! Miller and his wife, Brenda Song, were presented with their jerseys by the Lakers Girls. It was a recognition of Macaulay’s genuine basketball roots. For the kid who once geeked out over NBA trivia, this moment was something special. For someone who helped shape so many childhoods, it was a well-deserved honor. In the ’80s and ’90s, Miller and Culkin were cultural icons who shaped childhoods around the world. While Miller delivered adrenaline-filled moments that had kids rushing to their neighborhood courts, Culkin created magical movie memories that had them rewinding their VHS tapes. And their recent reunion was a reminder of the era that shaped them and us.

Well, if it helped shape so many childhoods, what led to this experience? “And just walking around the mean streets of NY, with New Yorkers yelling obscenities at me?” Well, it was always supposed to be brutal with NY, but he knew what could keep him running: “but bowing down to these two amazing kid actors at the time was cool to see.. We would talk basketball for hours, and people watch, the good ole days..”

Reggie Miller’s old rivalry surfaces as Jimmy tributes the analyst

Reggie Miller tormented New York throughout the ’90s. And it’s not just us saying this! Even the stars of today still bow to Reggie’s legacy. Proof? In game 1 of the Houston Rockets v/s the Golden State Warriors, Warriors’ new found star, Jimmy Butler, pointed to the Pacers great. And announcer Kevin Harlan was quick to grab, “Jimmy Butler! That’s right! He points at Reggie Miller and says, “I’m doing my best impression of you!”’ Reggie wouldn’t mind that for sure.

Travel back to nostalgia, again. His 25-point 4th quarter in Game 5 (1994 ECF) broke Knicks fans’ hearts back then. MSG hated him, but he thrived on it. Stats also show that Miller averaged 23.5 PPG against New York in the playoffs, his highest against any opponent. Aren’t these good enough reasons to be hated by the Knicks fandom? Miller has more to show the Knicks. But that’s not nearly all. The NBA’s official record book confirms Miller scored 8 points in 8.9 seconds on May 7, 1995, stealing the inbound pass and hitting two three-pointers to complete a comeback win. He unfailingly turned his beast mode on against the Knicks. Ouch!

The legacy still talked about, his battles with the Knicks, is still fresh, only to validate how hatred fuels greatness. His clutch performances (8 points in 9 seconds, 1995 ECSF) proved that pressure makes icons. The louder the boos, the bigger his moments. But this passionate rivalry between a city and a player isn’t exclusive to Miller and NYC. Boston despised Lakers’ Magic Johnson. Utah hated Michael Jordan. Philly booed Kobe. These legends proved that they aren’t just loved; they’re also remembered for breaking hearts. Sports isn’t for the weak-hearted: it unites, it divides!