Klay Thompson Calls Reggie Miller the Greatest Basketball Player Ever — Reggie Miller Fans Read Post and Realize How Their Idol Was Ridiculed

When Klay Thompson posted an emotional tribute on Instagram in late December 2024, he likely didn’t expect it to ignite such a firestorm. It wasn’t about politics, contracts, or controversy—it was about basketball legacy. Specifically, Reggie Miller’s legacy.

Klay’s intention seemed clear: to pay homage to the man who inspired him to become the relentless shooter he is today. But in an era where Stephen Curry, Ray Allen, and even Damian Lillard dominate the GOAT shooting conversations, Klay’s words felt like they came from a different time.

So when he said “Salute to the greatest to ever shoot it @reggiemillertnt!”, it raised eyebrows—and questions.

Was he honoring the past or ignoring the present?

The Caption That Brought the Internet to a Standstill

Here’s what Klay Thompson wrote:

“One of my favorite memories along this journey was working out for the Knicks in June 2011, and Donnie Walsh told me how much I reminded him of Reggie. That meant the world to me and inspired me to never stop shooting. Salute to the greatest to ever shoot it @reggiemillertnt! Thanks for the blueprint OG!”

For fans who grew up in the 2000s and 2010s, Reggie Miller isn’t always the first name that comes to mind when you talk about “greatest shooter ever.” But for Klay, it made perfect sense.

And yet, a wave of online debate followed the post.

“Greatest to Ever Shoot It?” A Loaded Statement

The phrase “greatest to ever shoot it” carries enormous weight—especially in today’s game. For most modern fans, that honor belongs to Stephen Curry, whose shooting range and creativity have redefined basketball offense.

Some felt Klay’s declaration was either outdated or tone-deaf, failing to acknowledge how the game—and its sharpshooting standards—have evolved.

| NBA Fan Account @PureBuckets: “Love Klay, but this ain’t 1998. Reggie ain’t even top 3 anymore.”
| Commenter on Instagram: “Bro, what about Steph? Or even Ray Allen?”
| Another: “Reggie’s a legend, but the game moved on. Klay should know that.”

Klay’s Clarification: A Nostalgic Nod, Not a Ranking

It didn’t take long for Klay to realize fans had taken his words to heart—in all the wrong ways. So, true to his unfiltered nature, he jumped back into the comments:

“My man lemme clarify. I wrote this caption with my childhood in mind. And at the time Reggie was the standard for off guards and off‑ball movement along with shot making. We all know 30 is the shooter.”

It was a powerful reminder that Klay’s basketball worldview was shaped long before Stephen Curry lit up the league.

In the late ’90s and early 2000s, Reggie Miller was the gold standard. Known for his flawless mechanics, ice-cold composure, and clutch heroics, Reggie didn’t just shoot—he terrorized defenses.

To a young Klay Thompson, Reggie wasn’t just a shooter. He was the prototype.

Reggie Miller: The Original Off-Ball Assassin

What set Reggie Miller apart wasn’t just his deep shooting. It was how he moved without the ball, how he baited defenders, and how he rose to the occasion when the lights were brightest.

Game 5 vs. the Knicks in 1994. 8 points in 9 seconds in 1995. Those weren’t just highlights—they were legendary moments that inspired a generation of shooters.

And in many ways, Klay’s own style—constant movement, catch-and-shoot mechanics, lightning-quick release—feels like a modern version of Reggie’s playbook.

So when he called Miller the “greatest to ever shoot it,” it wasn’t about statistical dominance. It was about spiritual lineage.

A Younger Audience May Never Understand

Fans under 30 didn’t grow up watching Reggie. They grew up with Steph Curry pulling up from the logo, or Ray Allen clinching Finals games. They see the game through a different lens—and that’s okay.

But legacy isn’t just about numbers or recent memory. It’s about impact. And Reggie Miller, for all his 2,560 career threes and playoff heroics, left an impact that players like Klay Thompson still feel to this day.

Why the Reaction Was So Strong

The backlash wasn’t really about Reggie Miller. It was about hierarchy—about who owns the title of “greatest shooter.” The second Klay made his post, fans didn’t see it as a tribute. They saw it as a challenge to the accepted order.

In today’s NBA discourse, Stephen Curry reigns supreme. His numbers, his influence, and his role in reshaping the league are undeniable. So for many, any other name—no matter how respectful—feels like a betrayal of what Curry represents.

But to frame the conversation this way is unfair. Players can admire multiple legends. The phrase “greatest to ever shoot it” doesn’t need to be absolute—it can be personal.

Was Klay Out of Touch—or Just Honest?

Klay has always been unapologetically himself. He doesn’t chase narratives. He doesn’t care for the politics of sports media. When he speaks, it’s usually straight from the heart.

In this case, he was simply being honest about his basketball origins.

While fans were quick to compare Reggie to Steph, Klay wasn’t trying to compare. He was expressing appreciation for the player who showed him the art of shooting before “unlimited range” became a thing.

And if you watch old Reggie Miller highlights with today’s analytics in mind, you’ll realize: the man was ahead of his time.

Reggie’s Quiet Legacy—Louder Than You Remember

For all the talk about Reggie being “overrated” by modern standards, his resume speaks for itself:

• 3× All-NBA selections

• 5× All-Star

• Over 25,000 career points

• Retired as the NBA’s all-time leader in 3-pointers

But what stats don’t capture is the fear he struck in defenders, the mental warfare he played, and the poise he showed when games were on the line.

Before Steph lit up the arc, Reggie was the blueprint. Before Damian Lillard waved goodbye, Reggie was shushing Madison Square Garden.

So when Klay honors him, he’s not living in the past. He’s acknowledging where the future began.

So… Who Really Is the Greatest?

It’s a question that has no universal answer. Is it:

• Curry, the revolutionary volume shooter with 4 rings and two MVPs?

• Ray Allen, the record-holder turned Finals hero?

• Klay himself, with the most three-pointers in a playoff game?

• Or Reggie Miller, the godfather of modern off-ball motion?

Maybe the question itself is flawed.

Maybe the “greatest” isn’t one man, but a lineage—a passing of the torch from Reggie to Ray to Steph to the next sniper waiting in the wings.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Forget the Foundation

Klay Thompson’s tribute to Reggie Miller wasn’t about erasing Steph or rewriting history. It was about remembering the foundation that made today’s shooters possible.

We often get so caught up in the now that we forget who paved the way. But Klay didn’t.

He remembered.

He thanked his blueprint.

And in doing so, he reminded the rest of us that basketball isn’t just a game of stats and rings—it’s a story. A legacy. A chain of inspiration stretching across eras.

Reggie inspired Klay. Klay inspired a new wave. And the game keeps evolving.

So whether or not you agree with Klay’s caption, one thing is undeniable:

Respect your shooters. Especially the ones who came first.