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Reggie Miller's Thunder Jersey-Retirement List Draws Pushback on NBC Opener

The commentary drew scrutiny over the inclusion of Serge Ibaka and James Harden given their lesser Thunder tenures.

Overview

  • During NBC’s return to NBA broadcasts, Reggie Miller said the Thunder should retire the numbers of Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka and James Harden.
  • Miller framed the timeline as “within the next five to seven years” while naming the four on the fourth-quarter telecast.
  • Play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico pushed back on the idea, telling Miller, “Not as much of a rubber stamp, I would say.”
  • Awful Announcing and Larry Brown Sports highlighted Ibaka and especially Harden as questionable, noting Harden’s three seasons in OKC and 12.7 points per game in that span.
  • The remarks came as cameras showed Oklahoma City’s newly raised 2024-25 championship banner alongside Nick Collison’s retired No. 4 during a 125-124 Thunder win over the Rockets.