Photo: Joe MurphyNBAE/Getty Images |
Last Season
Miller provided an immediate impact once he joined the Grizzlies after a trade
with the Orlando Magic on Feb. 19. He led the Grizzlies with 23 points, while
adding five rebounds and four assists in an overtime loss at New Orleans on
Feb. 21 in his Grizzlies debut. Unfortunately, a freak accident in practice
caused him to sprain his back, and he missed 14 games and was limited due to
significant back pain throughout the remaining season. Despite the painful injury,
Miller averaged 12.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists in just 22.5 minutes
per game after the trade. His best game was a gutsy 29-point, six-rebound effort
in a narrow 102-100 loss at the Los Angeles Clippers on March 30. He shot 11-19
from the field, including an outstanding 5-6 from three-point range in that
game. Earlier in the season with Orlando, he had a career night with 31 points
and 19 rebounds against Miami on Nov. 24. Before the trade, he averaged 16.4
ppg with Orlando and finished the season with 15.6 ppg, a career-high.
2003-04 Outlook
Miller is expected to be the Grizzlies' opening day starter and key weapon offensively.
He is one of the most versatile and young dynamic players in the league, fully
capable of shooting from the outside, driving to the hoop, or dishing to a teammate.
Miller earned the 2000-01 NBA Rookie of the Year, but could not have an opportunity
to achieve his full potential in Orlando, where the offense runs through NBA
All-Star Tracy McGrady. Now, Miller will have a chance to touch the ball in
each possession under Head Coach Hubie Brown's motion offense. He has improved
his scoring and rebounding in each of his three seasons in the league, and should
continue that trend. The only question with Miller isn't whether he'll improve,
but whether he'll improve to the point where he can be considered for the All-Star
team in future years.
| << Back to Index | >> Next Shooting Guard Analysis |