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http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12144036p-13014199c.html
Kings notes: Miller is the scorer by default
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Wednesday, January 26, 2005
No matter how many 15-footers, driving layups, breakaway dunks or even the rare three-pointer he sinks, Brad Miller isn't quite comfortable wearing a scorer's skin.
Even when he nears perfection as he did Tuesday night, scoring a season-high 31 points - just four off his career best - and hitting 14 of 18 shots from the field, the Kings center can't get accustomed to having his name on the marquee.
"I'm probably the only guy in the league who they say doesn't shoot enough," Miller said.
But when Chris Webber is out, as he was with an ankle injury in the Kings' much-needed 113-93 victory over the New Jersey Nets, Miller is willing to oblige on a short-term basis.
Did he ever.
Miller and forward Darius Songalia (eight points, six rebounds, three assists) filled in with more than the typical elbow grease, banging with Nets big men Nendad Krstic and Jason Collins down low as they answered with just 10 points.
Miller hit his last 11 shots between the second and fourth quarters, putting the Kings up 105-81. It was the latest evidence that a Webber-less Kings is still formidable, as they improved to 4-0 in games without him.
"I played 53 games without Webb last year, so I know when I've got to step up," Miller said. "I change my role. I'm cool doing it every now and then, and when Webb's out I'm more assertive."
A new view of Arco
No. 13 was the unlucky number for Rodney Buford, his cursed spot on the Kings bench where he spent so many games as the team's highest paid fan last season.But just like San Antonio's Tony Massenburg two days earlier, Buford was the latest former King to return with a how-you-like-me-now attitude in tow. He scored nine points as a spot starter, the result of Richard Jefferson's season-ending wrist injury.
Buford, like Massenburg, said he thought he could have been better used with the Kings. He was a temporary member, of sorts, signed as a free agent in late September 2003, waived in early December, then re-signed in early March when guard Bobby Jackson went down with an abdominal strain. Buford played 141 minutes in 22 games, averaging 1.9 points. "After sitting so much as the 13th guy, then coming in as a starter, I couldn't have dreamed it up any better," Buford said. "It was crushing. It hurt. ... It's nice to get more playing time, not sitting behind so many guys."
Kings notes: Miller is the scorer by default
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Wednesday, January 26, 2005
No matter how many 15-footers, driving layups, breakaway dunks or even the rare three-pointer he sinks, Brad Miller isn't quite comfortable wearing a scorer's skin.
Even when he nears perfection as he did Tuesday night, scoring a season-high 31 points - just four off his career best - and hitting 14 of 18 shots from the field, the Kings center can't get accustomed to having his name on the marquee.
"I'm probably the only guy in the league who they say doesn't shoot enough," Miller said.
But when Chris Webber is out, as he was with an ankle injury in the Kings' much-needed 113-93 victory over the New Jersey Nets, Miller is willing to oblige on a short-term basis.
Did he ever.
Miller and forward Darius Songalia (eight points, six rebounds, three assists) filled in with more than the typical elbow grease, banging with Nets big men Nendad Krstic and Jason Collins down low as they answered with just 10 points.
Miller hit his last 11 shots between the second and fourth quarters, putting the Kings up 105-81. It was the latest evidence that a Webber-less Kings is still formidable, as they improved to 4-0 in games without him.
"I played 53 games without Webb last year, so I know when I've got to step up," Miller said. "I change my role. I'm cool doing it every now and then, and when Webb's out I'm more assertive."
A new view of Arco
No. 13 was the unlucky number for Rodney Buford, his cursed spot on the Kings bench where he spent so many games as the team's highest paid fan last season.But just like San Antonio's Tony Massenburg two days earlier, Buford was the latest former King to return with a how-you-like-me-now attitude in tow. He scored nine points as a spot starter, the result of Richard Jefferson's season-ending wrist injury.
Buford, like Massenburg, said he thought he could have been better used with the Kings. He was a temporary member, of sorts, signed as a free agent in late September 2003, waived in early December, then re-signed in early March when guard Bobby Jackson went down with an abdominal strain. Buford played 141 minutes in 22 games, averaging 1.9 points. "After sitting so much as the 13th guy, then coming in as a starter, I couldn't have dreamed it up any better," Buford said. "It was crushing. It hurt. ... It's nice to get more playing time, not sitting behind so many guys."
But that's Brad's bread & butter, making those jumpers. So I agree with iheartBrad, his percent of making it from there may be higher than Webb's. Not that I think Webb shouldn't shoot when he's open too.
They are probably pretty close. In general, Webb does force things a little more which I think attributes to the lower FG%. As jumpshooters I think Brad is slightly better, but not by a lot.
