http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14098609p-14928446c.html
Adding to his résumé
Kings center Brad Miller is taking steps to become a stronger low-post player.
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Saturday, January 21, 2006
He's a high-post passing presence, a mid-range jump-shooting threat and, on occasion, a three-point possibility.
So skilled is Brad Miller that he's a virtual triple double waiting to fill the stat sheet. Against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, the Kings veteran nearly achieved his third career triple double. But for the love of Willis Reed, the one thing the 7-foot Miller is not is a true post threat.
In due time, that may change. Miller is working on the finer points of inside play with Kings assistant Pete Carril, who gives him lobs and lessons after practice. And, egads! Miller showcased some of that newfound material against the Suns - a baseline jump hook, an underhand move a la Vlade Divac, a blast across the lane that didn't drop but resulted in a foul.
Remember, this is Miller, big in ability but not big in the paint, a man whom Bonzi Wells deemed a "point-center." Reserve center Brian Skinner suggested Miller is more of a "7-foot swingman."
"Sometimes he gets in the post, and we're, 'Hey, what are you doing down there?' " Skinner said. "Most guys aren't used to seeing Brad post up - ever. If he can add some of that post game, it's a new dimension to his game."
Said Carril: "The resistance for Brad to play down there is over. He's enthused about doing this. He's a bright guy, and if he works at it, he'll get there."
Miller agrees. One almost can detect a smile after he lets Carril work him over for 20 minutes after a two-hour practice. And when Miller scores on an inside move, he'll peer over at Carril and grin.
"It's kind of a gradual thing," Miller said. "Of course, coach Carril loves a post-up game. I'm trying to expand. If it makes it easier for everyone, if it helps us, obviously I want to do it."
Carril also reminds Miller a complete game makes for a complete player, which means an even more difficult cover.
"Red Auerbach used to say that players need to play to the level of fatigue," Carril said. "If Brad does that and gets his inside game, he'll be 25 to 30 percent better than he is now, and he's very good now."
Miller is so used to facing the basket, and he's so entrenched in the Kings' system of looking for cutters or popping jumpers from the top of the key as a pick-and-roll element, that there hasn't been a desperate need to have him muscle down low.
Kings coach Rick Adelman said every man can improve his game, but don't expect Kevin McHale to suddenly emerge in the image of Miller. For one thing, the Kings need Miller at the high post. Miller averages 14.9 points, leads the Kings with 8.1 rebounds and is tied with Mike Bibby for the team lead in assists at 5.4 a game, tops among NBA centers. And the deeper numbers are telling. When Miller doles out fewer than five assists, the Kings are only 6-15.
"He really doesn't do (a lot of post moves)," Adelman said. "He's always faced up and shot. That's who he is. If a player doesn't have a post-up game, you can't just go to him in the post, not in our league."
For now, Miller's reputation is that of strictly a high-post center or maybe more of a forward who is listed as a center.
"He's a player who commands a lot of attention," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said before Thursday's game with the Kings. "He's a player you can overlook simply because he doesn't present a physical, daunting (presence). He's not going to jump over you, not going to zoom by you or do anything to embarrass you.
"But the moment you relax, he has you up in the air and he's going to the hoop, or he's making a pass, or he's taking a shot that might hurt your team."
Some two hours later, Miller hit a a top-of-the-key three in the closing seconds to push the game into overtime, a game the Kings would win, with Adelman later saying the Lakers "made a mistake in leaving him open."
Even as a prep star in Indiana, Miller had skills, though he wasn't allowed to take shots outside 8 feet. At Purdue, Miller's range convinced coach Gene Keady to let him take some jumpers. Miller offered glimpses of his versatility during NBA stops in Charlotte, Chicago and Indiana, but the Kings regularly allowed him to showcase his game when he came aboard in 2003-04.
"Coming here was great," Miller said. "I love the system. I knew what I was getting into, how I'd get more touches, get others involved. I feel like I'm getting better inside.
"I know coachie (Carril) is getting more excited about it. He makes sure he points out mistakes, and he'll let me know about my progress. A good post is a Pete Carril thing."
Someday, it might become more of a Brad Miller thing.
About the writer: The Bee's Joe Davidson can be reached at (916) 321-1280 or jdavidson@sacbee.com.
Adding to his résumé
Kings center Brad Miller is taking steps to become a stronger low-post player.
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Saturday, January 21, 2006
He's a high-post passing presence, a mid-range jump-shooting threat and, on occasion, a three-point possibility.
So skilled is Brad Miller that he's a virtual triple double waiting to fill the stat sheet. Against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, the Kings veteran nearly achieved his third career triple double. But for the love of Willis Reed, the one thing the 7-foot Miller is not is a true post threat.
In due time, that may change. Miller is working on the finer points of inside play with Kings assistant Pete Carril, who gives him lobs and lessons after practice. And, egads! Miller showcased some of that newfound material against the Suns - a baseline jump hook, an underhand move a la Vlade Divac, a blast across the lane that didn't drop but resulted in a foul.
Remember, this is Miller, big in ability but not big in the paint, a man whom Bonzi Wells deemed a "point-center." Reserve center Brian Skinner suggested Miller is more of a "7-foot swingman."
"Sometimes he gets in the post, and we're, 'Hey, what are you doing down there?' " Skinner said. "Most guys aren't used to seeing Brad post up - ever. If he can add some of that post game, it's a new dimension to his game."
Said Carril: "The resistance for Brad to play down there is over. He's enthused about doing this. He's a bright guy, and if he works at it, he'll get there."
Miller agrees. One almost can detect a smile after he lets Carril work him over for 20 minutes after a two-hour practice. And when Miller scores on an inside move, he'll peer over at Carril and grin.
"It's kind of a gradual thing," Miller said. "Of course, coach Carril loves a post-up game. I'm trying to expand. If it makes it easier for everyone, if it helps us, obviously I want to do it."
Carril also reminds Miller a complete game makes for a complete player, which means an even more difficult cover.
"Red Auerbach used to say that players need to play to the level of fatigue," Carril said. "If Brad does that and gets his inside game, he'll be 25 to 30 percent better than he is now, and he's very good now."
Miller is so used to facing the basket, and he's so entrenched in the Kings' system of looking for cutters or popping jumpers from the top of the key as a pick-and-roll element, that there hasn't been a desperate need to have him muscle down low.
Kings coach Rick Adelman said every man can improve his game, but don't expect Kevin McHale to suddenly emerge in the image of Miller. For one thing, the Kings need Miller at the high post. Miller averages 14.9 points, leads the Kings with 8.1 rebounds and is tied with Mike Bibby for the team lead in assists at 5.4 a game, tops among NBA centers. And the deeper numbers are telling. When Miller doles out fewer than five assists, the Kings are only 6-15.
"He really doesn't do (a lot of post moves)," Adelman said. "He's always faced up and shot. That's who he is. If a player doesn't have a post-up game, you can't just go to him in the post, not in our league."
For now, Miller's reputation is that of strictly a high-post center or maybe more of a forward who is listed as a center.
"He's a player who commands a lot of attention," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said before Thursday's game with the Kings. "He's a player you can overlook simply because he doesn't present a physical, daunting (presence). He's not going to jump over you, not going to zoom by you or do anything to embarrass you.
"But the moment you relax, he has you up in the air and he's going to the hoop, or he's making a pass, or he's taking a shot that might hurt your team."
Some two hours later, Miller hit a a top-of-the-key three in the closing seconds to push the game into overtime, a game the Kings would win, with Adelman later saying the Lakers "made a mistake in leaving him open."
Even as a prep star in Indiana, Miller had skills, though he wasn't allowed to take shots outside 8 feet. At Purdue, Miller's range convinced coach Gene Keady to let him take some jumpers. Miller offered glimpses of his versatility during NBA stops in Charlotte, Chicago and Indiana, but the Kings regularly allowed him to showcase his game when he came aboard in 2003-04.
"Coming here was great," Miller said. "I love the system. I knew what I was getting into, how I'd get more touches, get others involved. I feel like I'm getting better inside.
"I know coachie (Carril) is getting more excited about it. He makes sure he points out mistakes, and he'll let me know about my progress. A good post is a Pete Carril thing."
Someday, it might become more of a Brad Miller thing.
About the writer: The Bee's Joe Davidson can be reached at (916) 321-1280 or jdavidson@sacbee.com.
