Miami Heat Update: Mike Miller rearing to mount a comeback
Miami Heat small forward, Mike Miller returned to the court on Sunday in the game against the New Jersey Nets, but was unsuccessful in putting up a stellar performance. Miller had been sidelined for three games ever since he suffered from a strained knee.
Although, he showed no signs of a nagging injury on Sunday night, Miller was unable to impress as he had previously done throughout this season. Miller averaged at a mere 5.7 points and 4.5 boards during his first season in Miami. These statistics put him
in the list of underachievers of this year.
Ideally, he should have been running for the Sixth Man of the Year, an award which he won last year.
Instead, the talented shooter is considered to be one of NBA’s biggest individual disappointments of the season. Even though the injury issue has caught up with him, Millar’s field performance, especially his shooting, has been found to be demanding. Interestingly,
Millar is only too well aware of this.
He is reported to have said, “You do feel guilty at times because you want to be able to do more and help but I have to make sure I’m healthy for the stretch we have left.”
Miller has played only 36 games in this season due to injuries, including a torn muscle in his thumb, a horrible series of blows to the head and lately, a bruised right knee. At the moment, the most important thing is that Miller should regain his fitness
in order to lead the Heat in the play-offs.
The Heat signed Miller last year to increase their fire power from the floor, which was supposed to give them a reliable offensive play from a three-point range to support LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. Instead, Miller’s three-point range shooting
percentage is a disappointing 37.5, and from the field it is 40.1 percent.
Miller said, “It’s been tough but you go out there and play as hard as you can and, like I said, you can only control what you can control. I haven’t really had the ability to get in much rhythm all year, but that’s part of it. It’s part of injuries. It’s
part of basketball. It’s part of life.”
“You give it all you got and at the end of the day you look in the mirror and of doing win lose or say, ‘You know what? I did what I was capable.”
Heat coach, Erik Spoelstra came out in his support saying “there’s plenty of time” for Miller to find his lost panache that enabled him to shoot nearly 50 percent from three-point range in the previous season with the Washington Wizards. Due to this, Millar
became the most required free agents in the league during off-season.
According to Spoelstra, Mike is a player who is not just good at shooting, but can also change the course of the game, as he can contribute in other ways too.
But, certainly, shooting is Miller’s most significant weapon and he also values that. In addition, he is one of the most hardworking players in the Heat. His practice routine is consistent even if his game is not. Nowadays, he is preparing himself for the
playoffs.
James, who has recently played with Miller said, that it would be great for the team if he (Miller) finds his rhythm in the playoffs. Miller on the other hand is also not disheartened and looking forward to make the most out of the upcoming opportunities.
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