<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Less than two weeks ago, Mike Miller had firmly established himself as the Grizzlies' go-to guy. He was leading the Griz in scoring, rebounding and assists, the only player in the NBA to lead his team in those categories. Miller no longer is the Grizzlies' top scorer now that All-Star center Pau Gasol has found his offensive groove. But there is no question that Miller Time is a major component in Barone Ball. Interim head coach Tony Barone Sr. shifted the team's offense into a higher gear after taking over for recently fired Mike Fratello. And there is no question that Miller has benefited the most. Take away the name and number from his jersey, and Miller would still be easily identifiable tonight when the Griz play host to the Golden State Warriors. He'll be the guy wearing a bright green light to shoot. "He's got the green light when he comes into the locker room before the game," Barone said of Miller. "I don't think he's taken a bad shot in two games. That's just me. He's taken some very long shots. But I don't think he's taken a bad one." Miller's delivered staggering statistics, albeit in just two games. Those "very long" shots Barone referenced have mostly touched nothing but net. Whether he's pulled up to launch in fast-break opportunities or run off screens, that Miller has pulled the trigger on his shot freely and with great confidence is evident by the increase on his season averages. He's attempted four more shots and made five more on average. Through the first 30 games, Miller had attempted six 3-pointers and made 2.5 on average. He's averaged 11 long-range attempts and seven makes during the early stages of Barone's 52-game tenure. "Any time a guy gives you the freedom to shoot, it doesn't matter if you miss a couple," Miller said. "You know you're going to get your rips." Miller has made the long ball a big part of his success of late, made a career-high seven in back-to-back games against Toronto and Houston. Only Washington sharpshooter Gilbert Arenas has more than Miller's 88 3-pointers. "He's been shooting confidently," Gasol said. "I love that. We want him to continue. Every time the wings make shots, it opens up for the big guys inside." </div> Source
He had nine threes today against Golden State. That's 23 three pointers in only 3 games. I wonder if that's a record for a three game stretch.
Man has been playing sensational ball since Fratello got canned. Could this end up being a blessing in disguise for the Grizz? If Miller can keep lighting it up and the Grizz can keep scoring, they've scored 110, 109, 144 in the three games since Fratello got fired and are 2-1, they could turn their season around. Will it be enough to get even close to the playoffs though....it's highly, highly unlikely.
<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">He had nine threes today against Golden State. That's 23 three pointers in only 3 games. I wonder if that's a record for a three game stretch.</div> I did a little research. George McCloud, 1996, had a stretch of three games where he hit 22 threes, and another stretch of three games where he hit 23 threes. No other player, besides him and now Mike Miller has ever had at least 7 three pointers in 3 consecutive games.
It has been hurting all year seeing Mike being wasted. The guy really has some tremendous gifts, and whilst he was still putting up good numbers under Fratello (16, 6 and 4), he wasn't being used to best advantage. In this new style he can really use his supreme talents well.
