“Michael Jordan was like a vampire”: Reggie Miller was in awe of MJ’s energy levels on the sets of Space Jam

We look back at a Reggie Miller segment from The Last Dance. The Pacers legend narrated a story of how fit Michael Jordan was, from the sets of Space Jam.

Reggie Miller and Michael Jordan had some engaging battles all through their career. Miller was drafted by the Pacers in 1987, and he’d play for the franchise for nearly 2 decades before announcing his retirement. Miller was the driving force who kept them relevant in the title picture.

Michael Jordan and Reggie Miller are considered as two of the most clutch players in NBA history. Both of them have some iconic clutch moments, and although Miller never won a championship, he will still be remembered as one of the league’s most consistent players ever.

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Reggie Miller and Michael Jordan played basketball on the sets of Space Jam

Jordan had a court that he had built to stay in shape while filming Space Jam. During shooting, Michael Jordan would often engage in pickup battles with the other basketball stars in attendance. This crew included Reggie Miller, who was yet to face MJ in the playoffs at the time.

But as we’ve mentioned above, he definitely had an inkling as to what Black Jesus could do. There are various tales about MJ’s unlimited energy levels, and this one only serves to back up what others have confirmed.

“This dude was like a vampire.” Reggie Miller on Michael Jordan’s work ethic on staying in basketball shape while filming Space Jam. #BullsNation #TheLastDance

— Chicago Sports Nerd (@ChiSportsNerd) May 11, 2020

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People knew that MJ was a stone-cold killer, but fewer of them had an idea of how he could put his body through the doghouse and still dominate. Miller recalls the competitive spirit in those games:

“There were no officials, so you were calling your own fouls. So it was a little more rugged and raw. I don’t know how he did it. I don’t know how he had the energy to film all day and then still play three hours.”

“We would play until like 9 or 10 at night, and he still had to get weightlifting in. His call time was like at 6 or 7 in the morning. So I don’t know how he was doing it,” Miller added. “This dude was like a vampire, for real.”