It’s no secret, the league’s current state does not thrill NBA legends too much. Hall of Famer Jerry West once remarked, “The game is soft that way today. I don’t like it.” With players drifting from the physical intensity of the past, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla recently stirred up a storm, saying he’d like to see some of that edge return. Surprisingly, he’s got an unexpected backer: Reggie Miller.

Hall of Famer Miller gave his own silent nod to the need for real competition, posting a clip on his Instagram story, where his long-time rival John Stark recalled an intense 1993 playoff moment. Stark revealed a heated incident in the New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers series when trash talk turned physical, with Starks head-butting Miller after a referee shrugged off his complaints. “I was so mad, I just wanted to take my fist and put it through right his face,” Starks recalls. After some attempt at polite talking, he would come and head-butt Miller.

The Knicks legend received some heat from his teammates but did not realize the physicality until after the game. Miller’s caption? “When competition was REAL!! Loved these moments and John Starks.” It seems he’s quietly on board with Mazzulla’s call for a more intense NBA.

Speaking to NBC Sports Boston, Mazzulla didn’t hold back. “The biggest thing that we rob people of from an entertainment standpoint is you can’t fight anymore. I wish we’d bring back fighting,” he said, emphasizing that, unlike other leagues, the NBA restricts physicality in ways that drain the excitement. “How come in baseball they’re allowed to clear the benches? How come in hockey they’re allowed to fight?” Mazzulla asked, not hiding his frustration.

As per Mazzulla, while in baseball and hockey, players receive encouragement to “throw down” when tensions rise. In the NBA, it’s different. “I just don’t get why some sports are allowed to clear the benches. They have bats and weapons (in baseball). We don’t. We have a ball,” he explained. It’s a fair point—especially considering the NBA’s strict penalties on players even for stepping off the bench during a scuffle.

Coming back to Miller, for him, though, his call for competition to be “real” isn’t new, as he once called out NBA for being “too soft” 

Reggie Miller calls out “soft” culture in today’s league

In ‘90s era, Reggie Miller was a fierce competitor, building a tough-guy reputation for himself by clashing with NBA titans like Michael Jordan and John Starks. Having played 18 seasons with the Pacers, he’s quick to point out how different things were back then—players were anything but pampered, and even injuries didn’t keep them from the game.

Reflecting on his time, Miller shared his mindset on The Dan Patrick Show: “I felt guilty when I didn’t play, even when I had a sprained ankle and I was able to play at 70, 75 percent.” He explained that if he could still contribute in any way, he’d suit up. “I just felt if you were healthy enough…if you can contribute to your team, you play.” This level of commitment, Miller believes, is missing in today’s NBA.

Miller doesn’t entirely blame players for the softer culture, though. “On the flip side, I get it. We made this league so soft nowadays,” he admitted. It’s the rule changes, he argues, that have shifted the NBA away from the grit of his era, making it easier for players to sit out games.

Growing up in a military family, Miller learned to earn his place, a mindset that shaped his no-nonsense approach to the game. For him, toughness was part of the job—something he feels today’s NBA could use a little more of.