It was an odd day at Pepsi Center and one still [at the time of this writing] ongoing for Jeff Morton. Media arrived at 12:30 p.m., but there was no team on the practice floor … no balls could be heard bouncing through the double doors. Perhaps it was just an extended film session … team meeting?
Well, we found out that the team was holding individual player and coach meetings [details coming later] and veteran point guard Andre Miller was not at the Pepsi Center. The team released the following statement on Miller:
The Denver Nuggets have suspended point guard Andre Miller for two games for conduct detrimental to the team, general manager/executive vice president of basketball operations Tim Connelly announced today.
Miller will miss Denver’s home game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday and will not travel with the team for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center.
Miller has been in the NBA since his rookie season in 1999-00, he has played in 1,156 games, and recorded his very first Did Not Play – Coach’s Decision against the 76ers on New Year’s Day evening. Miller was not happy and apparently got into a shouting matching during the game with his coaches about not playing.
Miller is known as a straight shooter, but is a relatively quiet guy when it comes to talking to the media. He has had some pretty odd interviews, like the one he gave to Paul Klee just last season at the beginning of February where he said the following:
"I want more minutes," Miller said. "If we were losing I would really be complaining. But it's going as it goes."
"I don't know how much longer they want me here. I definitely would like to contribute more," Miller added when I asked if he wants to finish in Denver. "I'm not just going to sit back and settle in and be a backup and let my career just fade away. I'm competitive in that way."
It was an odd move to sign Nate Robinson in the off-season with Miller still on the team. Andre was the primary backup, but Robinson took that role from him this season and Andre’s minutes have gone from 26 per game last season to just 19 per game this year.
With Miller now suspended, what will the team's next move be with the 37 year old veteran?
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