Former President Barack Obama knows how to get under Reggie Miller‘s skin.
The Indiana Pacers legend interviewed Obama as part of the NBA All-Star Game coverage for NBC, asking him about his memories of watching his hometown Chicago Bulls in the 1990s.
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Miller — not known for his passing — handed Obama an assist.
“I always enjoyed watching us beat Indiana,” Obama said.
Miller responded: “Oh my goodness. Why do you do that to me?”
Obama did compliment Miller, while taking another dig.
“I will say that nobody terrified me more than Reggie Miller with a possible 3-point shot at the end of a game,” he said. “You did push off Michael (Jordan) on that one play, though.”
Miller hit a go-ahead 3-pointer from the right wing in the closing seconds of Game 6 of the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals, opening some space for himself as Jordan defended.
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Pascal Siakam of the Indiana Pacers in the 2026 NBA All-Star Game
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 15: (EDITORS NOTE: Image Has Been Taken Using A Static Remote Camera.) Pascal Siakam #43 of the Indiana Pacers and Team World shoots against Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Team USA Stars during the 75th NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome on February 15, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
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Pascal Siakam of the Indiana Pacers in the 2026 NBA All-Star Game
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 15: (EDITORS NOTE: Image Has Been Taken Using A Static Remote Camera.) Pascal Siakam #43 of the Indiana Pacers and Team World shoots against Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Team USA Stars during the 75th NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome on February 15, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
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Pascal Siakam of the Indiana Pacers in the 2026 NBA All-Star Game
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Team World forward Pascal Siakam (43) of the Indiana Pacers shoots against Team USA Stars guard Anthony Edwards (5) of the Minnesota Timberwolves in game one during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Pascal Siakam of the Indiana Pacers in the 2026 NBA All-Star Game
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Team USA Stars center Chet Holmgren (7) of the Oklahoma City Thunder controls the ball against Team World forward Pascal Siakam (43) of the Indiana Pacers in game one during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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Pascal Siakam of the Indiana Pacers in the 2026 NBA All-Star Game
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Team USA Stars center Chet Holmgren (7) of the Oklahoma City Thunder controls the ball against Team World forward Pascal Siakam (43) of the Indiana Pacers in game one during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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Pascal Siakam of the Indiana Pacers in the 2026 NBA All-Star Game
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Team World forward Pascal Siakam (43) of the Indiana Pacers shoots against Team USA Stars guard Anthony Edwards (5) of the Minnesota Timberwolves in game one during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Pascal Siakam of the Indiana Pacers in the 2026 NBA All-Star Game
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Team USA Stars guard Anthony Edwards (5) of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots while defended by Team World forward Pascal Siakam (43) of the Indiana Pacers in game one during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Pascal Siakam of the Indiana Pacers in the 2026 NBA All-Star Game
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Team World forward Pascal Siakam (43) of the Indiana Pacers shoots while defended by Team USA Stars forward Jalen Johnson (1) of the Atlanta Hawks in game one during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Pascal Siakam of the Indiana Pacers in the 2026 NBA All-Star Game
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 15: (EDITORS NOTE: Image Has Been Taken Using A Static Remote Camera.) Pascal Siakam #43 of the Indiana Pacers and Team World shoots against Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Team USA Stars during the 75th NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome on February 15, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
Siakam on tanking: ‘Every time I’m on the court, I’m trying to win’
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Miller then asked: “Did he push off in the Utah series?”
The answer: “No.”
However, Jordan pushed off Utah’s Bryon Russell before making a key shot to clinch Chicago’s sixth championship in eight years.
Reggie Miller pushes Michael JordanMichael Jordan pushes Bryon Russell
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Barack Obama, former president, to Reggie Miller on push-off, Pacers, more