Reggie Miller Did His Homework Before Every Matchup

Reggie Miller did his homework before every matchup, and the detail that stood out most was how he approached John Starks. The former NBA guard treated Starks as the perfect target in his gameplan against the ’90s Knicks.

Reggie Miller and John Starks

Miller’s preparation centered on a specific opponent, not a vague team concept. John Starks was the name at the middle of that approach, the player he singled out while breaking down the Knicks.

That choice tells the story of how Miller studied games: he did not stop at the uniform or the headline matchup. He narrowed the work to one defender and one plan, then carried it into the series against New York.

The ’90s Knicks matchup

The ’90s Knicks are the backdrop to the story, and MSG is part of that setting. Miller’s gameplan against that group put him in the role of the arena’s ultimate villain, with the focus on how he handled those matchups rather than on any single box score.

For readers looking at Miller’s approach, the practical takeaway is simple. His edge came from preparation before every opponent, and the source makes clear that Starks was the target he wanted to break down. Against New York, that meant going into the matchup with a specific plan instead of reacting possession by possession.