Nuggets Power Ranking: No. 11, Mike Miller
The Denver Nuggets’ preseason roster includes 19 players, and the team will try to figure out which 15 of them deserve a shot during the regular season throughout the team’s seven-game exhibition slate.
But, for now, how do these players stack up? We polled our staff writers and editor at Nugg Love to get a consensus power ranking of every player on the roster, and we’ll be releasing one player each day from October 5 to 23, starting from No. 19 and finishing at No. 1.
Mike Miller is a 35-year-old veteran looking to make his mark on and off the court with Denver this season. Let’s look at his strengths, weaknesses as well as how he might fit in with this Nuggets team?
Who Is Mike Miller?
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Late this summer, the Denver Nuggets added what they hope is an important piece to a successful season when they signed free agent Mike Miller. The veteran 6’8″ sharp shooter brings a winning pedigree from championships with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013. The romance between Miller and the Nuggets has spanned recent seasons and both sides were motivated to get a deal done this season.
From the moment Miller left Mitchell, South Dakota for the Florida Gators, he was regarded as one of the top shooters in the NCAA. After one season in college, he was drafted at No. 5 by the Orlando Magic in 2000, and he remains one of the best shooters in the league after 15 seasons. Miller went on to win the Rookie of the Year in 2000-01 and followed that up with a 2005-06 Sixth Man of the Year Award.
With a career three-point shooting percentage of 40 percent, he should help the Nuggets roster. His ability to hit the big shot can make a difference in the win column for this season.
Strengths
Mike Miller can hit the wing jumper at an excellent rate, and his high release is tough to defend. His length and consistency represents a new skill set for the Nuggets that they have needed for many years. For long-time Nuggets fans, it will remind them of the years of Walter Davis knocking down three-pointers at crucial times.
Mike Malone has raved about the work ethic the Nuggets demonstrated during camp this off season. He also feels that Miller’s presence and experience can help improve the team’s basketball IQ this season, especially considering all the young guns the Nuggets have assembled at the guard position.
Weaknesses
Obviously, a 15-year veteran is not the ideal candidate for huge minutes, and if Miller is occupying the lion’s share of playing time at the shooting guard or small forward position, it may indicate that the Nuggets’ plan has some holes.
Miller represents a nice upgrade to the perimeter game for the Denver Nuggets this season, but his skill set is primarily very one-dimensional as a shooter and he is a defensive liability at this point in his career. But Mike Miller was signed for one on-court reason, and that is to drain the spot-up threes on the wing.
2015-2016 Outlook
Miller has the pedigree to be the hired gun for the Nuggets this season. And with his professionalism and work ethic, he can be an additional team leader and veteran voice in the locker room.
Although he won’t get big minutes, he will be free to fire away from long range when he steps on the court. Miller’s shooting can ease Emanuel Mudiay’s offensive workload when the two are on the court together and open up the paint for Jusuf Nurkic. Miller will also teach the young Nuggets players the art of being a consummate professional.
When you consider the locker room makeover the Nuggets have pulled off this season, the environment has made great strides in creating a winning culture. The Mike Miller signing is a big piece of this positive makeover.
Note: All stats are from RealGM unless otherwise indicated.