Mike Miller came to the Miami Heat after recently winning the NBA's 6th man of the year. A deadly assassin from range with a legendary practice regimen often caught on video. A player who could do it all, not only shoot but also the ability see the floor as well as most point guards and a solid re-bounder. Miller was a highly sought after free agent in 2010 but he decided to bypass much more lucrative options (some most likely as a starter) for the chance to play for a championship contender, well, there's no question he made the right decision. Three straight NBA finals, two straight NBA titles, Miller will go down as one of the most beloved Miami Heat players of all-time.
And here's why... it's game 5 of the 2012 NBA finals and who was the player to close out the Kevin Durant led extremely talented Oklahoma City Thunder? Lebron James? Dwayne Wade? Actually it was this hobbled nearly forgotten 3 point specialist who looked like a 90 year old man who lost his walker. And, even though he could barely stand due to intense back pain, he went on to become that game's standout gladiator nailing 7 three pointers and hammering in a final nail into this young team's coffin. This was typical Mike Miller during his stay with the Heat. A champion who's will exceeded the limits of his body.
Flash forward the next year...it's game 6 of the 2013 NBA finals the Miami Heat was down by double digits to the 4-time champion San Antonio Spurs entering into the 4th quarter. Suddenly a dramatic come back begins with this 3 point specialist who just lost his sneaker. Mike Miller not only makes that clutch three point sans his left shoe, he plays several minutes in a sock making sure the Heat doesn't lose it's new-found momentum before a time out was called. This game 6 turned out to become one of the all-time great finales in NBA finals history and even though it would be Ray Allen who would save the day with his last second 3 pointer propelling the Heat into overtime, Miller was one of the unquestioned initiators (and without a sneaker one of the most memorable) of this historic 4th quarter come back.
So effective was Miller in the NBA finals he actually connected on over 60% of his 3 point attempts in both the 2012 & 2013 championships. When Miller was on the court, he played with a furious type of abandonment belying any physical pain he may have experienced and we would only see the evidence of this pain during time outs or free throw attempts. At times when nailing a series of three pointers, Miller seemed to be more of a machine than a man. On July 16, 2013 the Miami Heat, due to concerns of extended luxury tax, had to part ways with this fan favorite 3 point specialist, he was clutch when the Heat needed it and now he's gone. And now, begins a new chapter in the life of this long range assassin, many of the Heat's rivals will be involved in a frantic scramble to sign him. This also signals the need for a replacement, as the Heat's three point specialists, a necessary component to the make up of this team, are aging rapidly. As fans, we can only wish Miller well in his new venture and hope (when he does have a chance to play for another team) he isn't as clutch against us as he was with us.
Flash forward the next year...it's game 6 of the 2013 NBA finals the Miami Heat was down by double digits to the 4-time champion San Antonio Spurs entering into the 4th quarter. Suddenly a dramatic come back begins with this 3 point specialist who just lost his sneaker. Mike Miller not only makes that clutch three point sans his left shoe, he plays several minutes in a sock making sure the Heat doesn't lose it's new-found momentum before a time out was called. This game 6 turned out to become one of the all-time great finales in NBA finals history and even though it would be Ray Allen who would save the day with his last second 3 pointer propelling the Heat into overtime, Miller was one of the unquestioned initiators (and without a sneaker one of the most memorable) of this historic 4th quarter come back.
So effective was Miller in the NBA finals he actually connected on over 60% of his 3 point attempts in both the 2012 & 2013 championships. When Miller was on the court, he played with a furious type of abandonment belying any physical pain he may have experienced and we would only see the evidence of this pain during time outs or free throw attempts. At times when nailing a series of three pointers, Miller seemed to be more of a machine than a man. On July 16, 2013 the Miami Heat, due to concerns of extended luxury tax, had to part ways with this fan favorite 3 point specialist, he was clutch when the Heat needed it and now he's gone. And now, begins a new chapter in the life of this long range assassin, many of the Heat's rivals will be involved in a frantic scramble to sign him. This also signals the need for a replacement, as the Heat's three point specialists, a necessary component to the make up of this team, are aging rapidly. As fans, we can only wish Miller well in his new venture and hope (when he does have a chance to play for another team) he isn't as clutch against us as he was with us.
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