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Once the Miami Heat got its big, free-agent prizes LeBron James and Chris Bosh in place to play alongside Dwyane Wade, it was time to build a roster around the big three. A major piece of that roster was supposed to be Mike Miller. A former fifth-overall pick and 2001 NBA Rookie of the Year, Miller developed a reputation as one of the most dangerous three-point shooters in the NBA. Miller was brought to Miami with the hope he’d fire at will from beyond the arc, what with defenses focused on stopping Wade, LeBron, and Bosh. The plan was simple: While teams put bodies on the big three, Miller would stand and deliver uncontested three-pointers all night.
It was a fantastic idea. And LeBron was a major reason Miller decided to come to Miami as a free agent. Ironically, LeBron is the main reason Miller started the season on the bench. Miller suffered a thumb injury trying to guard James during a preseason practice and was forced to sit out the first few months. Miller officially returned to the Heat on December 20, but is still showing a whole lot of rust. Getting his game back on track is priority one for Miller. And once he’s back, the rest of the league might be better off playing dead every night. Miller and the Heat take on the Atlanta Hawks this Tuesday at the American Airlines Arena.
Tue., Jan. 18, 7:30 p.m., 2011
