Twitter users mishear Reggie Miller’s “off to the races” line after Nikola Jokic turns defense to offense
NBA fans on Twitter took over the social media platform after mishearing Reggie Miller's comments on air. The instance occurred amid Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets' Game 5 win against the Timberwolves. Miller covered the game alongside Jamal Crawford and Kevin Harlan. During a play where Jokic made a block and set out in transition, Miller said:
"The block there by Jokic and its off to the races."
However, the Hall of Famer's comments were misheard by fans online. As one user named IcyVert made the incident viral by transcribing Miller's comments with what they heard.
"The block by Jokic and it's off to the racism," wrote IcyVert.
Few more X users had the same reaction.
Meanwhile, fans commenting on those viral posts also expressed their thoughts.
"Why are the majority of NBA commentators bad," one fan wrote.
"Reggie is one of the worst commentators in sports," added another.
Another fan explained why majority misheard Millers' comments, saying:
“off to the races, ‘n… Reggie Jackson” - but that pause after “n” makes it… well, bad. Bad in a really hilarious way.
Reggie Miller's comments were deemed "NSFW" for the audience during the Pacers-Knicks Game 2 as well after the TNT analyst described a foul baiting technique implemented by Chris Paul.
Reggie Miller clarifies "Mt. Rushmore" take, says it wasn't for LeBron James
Before the incident during Tuesday's Game 5 between the Nuggets and Timberwolves, Reggie Miller was in the spotlight after calling out "veterans" placed on Mount Rushmore for not taking accountability while comparing them to Anthony Edwards. Many felt it was a sly shot at LeBron James, who is arguably the only active player on the NBA's Mount Rushmore.
"We've got certain guys, with veteran status in our game that are in a lot of people's Mount Rushmore that like to deflect and point fingers at others," Miller said on air in Game 4 of Nuggets-Timberwolves.
Reggie Miller's comments resonated with several LeBron critics, who feel he lacks accountability, especially amid his topsy-turvy LA Lakers stint. However, Miller got the chance to clarify himself after an appearance on the "Dan Patrick Show" after the show's host asked the former Pacers legend point blank if he was indeed taking a shot at LeBron.
"I'm taking a shot in general," Miller said. "I am trying to give credit and creed to a 22-year-old [Edwards] because I want to put myself in his shoes"
"I know a lot of people want to think and assume it's LeBron I am taking a shots at because look, I've been in those locker rooms when certain veterans shy away from that and it's quick to always pile on LeBron. If it was LeBron, I'd have said LeBron James."
Patrick pressured Miller into revealing which player it could have been, citing Kevin Durant and Steph Curry as the only two possible active players who are on a few fans' Mount Rushmores.
However, Reggie Miller refused to answer that and laughed the question off while maintaining his stance that LeBron James wasn't the one to catch a stray from him. Miller also said he has seen LeBron take accountability, similar to Edwards.