http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14227920p-15051483c.html
Miller picks up his scoring pace
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, March 9, 2006
MILWAUKEE - Somewhere, Jerry Colangelo is smiling.
When the Team USA director first considered Brad Miller a candidate for the national team, the Kings' center was hardly playing all-worldly. He was relied on too heavily as a distributor, leading the team in assists while his scoring was erratic and his defense tentative.
"Point-center," as he was dubbed by Bonzi Wells, was a fitting nickname, but hardly a tested formula for success. Miller's subpar start was one of the many that led to the team's collective struggles.
But since Ron Artest's debut with the team Jan. 27, Miller's offense has become more reliable. He was averaging 17.3 points and 3.6 assists in 15 games since before facing Milwaukee on Wednesday, having scored fewer than 15 points just three times. In the previous 42 games, he had averages of 14.6 points and 5.2 assists, with inconsistency that resulted in eight single-digit scoring games and 19 games scoring fewer than 15 points.
The big man has been more active defensively, too, blocking shots at a pace of 1.1 per game after averaging just 0.4 in the pre-Artest days.
"I'm just playing off the (Artest) post-ups," said Miller, who reverted to his old role with 10 points and 11 assists in the Kings' 123-116 win over the Bucks. "They double (team), and the 15-to 18-foot shot is my bread and butter. I'll play whatever (role) it takes."
Colangelo has since selected Miller as one of his 23 players. Miller, like his peers, will attend training camp in Las Vegas in late July. In August, a roster of 12 players (with three alternates) is expected to compete in the 2006 world championships in Japan. The tournament's winner earns an automatic berth into the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, while the others must compete in a tournament in 2007 to play their way in.
In the centers category, Miller is joined only by Phoenix phenom Amare Stoudemire, who has missed this season after offseason knee surgery. Miami center Shaquille O'Neal has a standing invitation that he has not accepted.
Miller will also be joined on Team USA by Milwaukee shooter Michael Redd, the Ohio State product who was Miller's counterpart while Miller was at Purdue. Redd had 32 points against the Kings on 13-of-21 shooting.
"I've seen him do it before," Miller said. "But go ask him if he ever beat Purdue when I was there." Miller said his teams beat Redd's four times, a fact he didn't remind him of in this one.
"I let him slide tonight."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
Miller picks up his scoring pace
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, March 9, 2006
MILWAUKEE - Somewhere, Jerry Colangelo is smiling.
When the Team USA director first considered Brad Miller a candidate for the national team, the Kings' center was hardly playing all-worldly. He was relied on too heavily as a distributor, leading the team in assists while his scoring was erratic and his defense tentative.
"Point-center," as he was dubbed by Bonzi Wells, was a fitting nickname, but hardly a tested formula for success. Miller's subpar start was one of the many that led to the team's collective struggles.
But since Ron Artest's debut with the team Jan. 27, Miller's offense has become more reliable. He was averaging 17.3 points and 3.6 assists in 15 games since before facing Milwaukee on Wednesday, having scored fewer than 15 points just three times. In the previous 42 games, he had averages of 14.6 points and 5.2 assists, with inconsistency that resulted in eight single-digit scoring games and 19 games scoring fewer than 15 points.
The big man has been more active defensively, too, blocking shots at a pace of 1.1 per game after averaging just 0.4 in the pre-Artest days.
"I'm just playing off the (Artest) post-ups," said Miller, who reverted to his old role with 10 points and 11 assists in the Kings' 123-116 win over the Bucks. "They double (team), and the 15-to 18-foot shot is my bread and butter. I'll play whatever (role) it takes."
Colangelo has since selected Miller as one of his 23 players. Miller, like his peers, will attend training camp in Las Vegas in late July. In August, a roster of 12 players (with three alternates) is expected to compete in the 2006 world championships in Japan. The tournament's winner earns an automatic berth into the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, while the others must compete in a tournament in 2007 to play their way in.
In the centers category, Miller is joined only by Phoenix phenom Amare Stoudemire, who has missed this season after offseason knee surgery. Miami center Shaquille O'Neal has a standing invitation that he has not accepted.
Miller will also be joined on Team USA by Milwaukee shooter Michael Redd, the Ohio State product who was Miller's counterpart while Miller was at Purdue. Redd had 32 points against the Kings on 13-of-21 shooting.
"I've seen him do it before," Miller said. "But go ask him if he ever beat Purdue when I was there." Miller said his teams beat Redd's four times, a fact he didn't remind him of in this one.
"I let him slide tonight."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
