Memphis Grizzlies: What Impact Will Mike Miller Have?

The Memphis Grizzlies have won the race to sign free-agent sharpshooter Mike Miller. Miller previously played with Memphis from 2003-08, the prime of his career. Most people forget that unlike today, Mike Miller was not just a spot-up 3-point shooter that served as a decoy for the team’s superstar, he was one of the superstars. In 2006, he scored 18.5 points a game, just two points short of the team lead held by Pau Gasol and he backed up this stellar season with an almost 17 point average in 2007. Yes, in his heyday, Mike Miller was not just a shooter, but a very good all around basketball player.

Even I can’t believe Mike Miller even dreamed about scoring 45 points in a single game, yet it actually happened. However, Father Time catches up to all of us and Miller is no longer the solid all-around player he was in Memphis. In recent years, he has served as a bench player for the Miami Heat who hits the occasional 3-pointer when defenders double team one of the members of the big three. Now, back in Memphis, Miller is returning to where he had his best years. His role, however, will be much different from his previous stint.

Mike Miller is a proven and consistent 3-point shooter who is not affected by the pressure of playoff basketball, something the Grizzlies desperately need. Although Memphis made a fantastic and improbable playoff run last season, one of the areas they are weakest in is consistent 3-point shooting. Last season, their best 3-point shooter was Wayne Ellington, who shot 42 percent  but played just 40 games for the Grizzlies before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Their next-best shooter from behind the arc was Keyon Dooling, who shot 41 percent, played just seven games and attempted a total of  just 12 3-pointers. Mike Conley, the starting point guard and team’s best shooter, shot 36 percent from 3-point land.

Mike Miller, shown driving to the basket, will help the Grizzlies from beyond the arc this season, something they desperately need. (Flickr.com/Schroder+Schombs PR)

For his career, Mike Miller is a 40 percent 3-point shooter, better than nearly the entire Grizzlies roster last season. His numbers have not fallen off as he has grown old either. In the last four seasons, he has averaged 48 percent, 36 percent, 45 percent and 41 percent respectively from beyond the arc. Mike Miller is a 3-point specialist. He will have an even greater opportunity to improve on his stellar percentages this coming season and will fit perfectly in the Grizzlies’ offense. Memphis relies on their two productive big men, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, to score a majority of their points in the paint. This causes–and sometimes forces–teams to collapse and double team them in the paint, leaving perimeter shooters open. This is where Mike shines. He will have many open looks and numerous opportunities to show off his pure jumper. Miller will surely not be in the starting lineup, but he will be given numerous minutes and be trusted in late game situations to take the last shot.

Although he is not the player Memphis fans once remember him as, if there are any fans from that time left (no offense), Mike Miller can and will surely provide an extra spark off the bench with clutch and consistent 3-point shooting.