Posted: Thursday, 04 October 2007 12:36PM
Brad Miller ... renewed and improved?
Sean A. Cunningham Reporting
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The hustle n' bustle of a tedious media day came and went Monday, only opening up the rigors of two-a-days in an NBA training camp being fueled by countless pleas for effort, defense, and attention.
Brad Miller, who is allegedly new and improved, seems to be the talk of camp. I'll say this about Brad, he looks livelier. I can see a difference in his body weight, but more then anything, he doesn't appear to be the player who seemed to just go through the motions and sag his head while dealing with off the court matters, as he had last year with the arrival of his first child. A daughter named Anniston, who Miller has branded in tribute via tattoo on his left fore arm.
Yes, the fun is back in Brad Miller. Forget the "hillbilly" (that's not a cheap shot, Brad is quick to label himself with this) who hunts animals on the regular; please add bears, alligators, and wild boar to this ever-growing list. Forget his love for the Chicago Cubs, Bears, even Indianapolis Colts. Miller loves his fun, but it was on the basketball floor, last season where the fun was sucked out of him, only to be replaced by a complacent and lethargic 7ft frame of a former All-Star. Great timing too may I add with the drama that unfolded before our eyes in the 06-07 season known as the Eric Musselman era.
Even following the chaos of media day, it was this Brad Miller who came out after most had disappeared, (ball in hand and camouflage hat in place of his famous headband) to get some shots up. Where else would Brad have gone? Miller now calls the Kings' Practice Facility "home" these days as he has bunkered up in the parking lot with his motor home. I have yet to step on board the dude's rig, but can you only imagine how that sucker is decorated? I can see it now.....
The furniture in some sort of animal skin upholstery. Animal heads, or trophies as I hear they are called, mounted proudly on the walls. A Bear skin rug, with head attached and mouth agape lying in front of a huge plasma screen. Copenhagen canisters always a reach away, as well as a water bottle....for spit collection. Bow n' arrow prominently displayed in the event he wants to pick off a squirrel lurking in the parking lot.
I would even picture the leg lamp from the famed movie “A Christmas Story” or, more simply, a rifle stand with lampshade.
I vow to get on board this rig once I muscle up enough courage to step foot on the premises and hopefully produce photographic evidence of the cozy confines of Mr. Brad Miller.
Reggie Theus has sat back and admired Brad's work and how he's entered this camp. Running seems to be a familiar sight in the practice facility thanks to Theus and the always demanding conditioning coach Daniel Shapiro. On only the second day of camp, as well as the second practice of the day, Shapiro ran the team hard after scrimmage, 4 suicides where Miller finished 3 of 4 in under the required 28 seconds.
For now, it appears Brad Miller has found that all too distant spark, but for how long will remain the question.
Sean Cunningham is entering his 5th season covering the Sacramento Kings & Monarchs for Sports 1140 KHTK-AM. Sean is also the producer for the “Jim Kozimor Showgram”, which airs weeknights from 7-9pm PST on KHTK. |
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