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Greatest Memphis Grizzlies of All-Time: Mike Miller

By Brendan Smart

DENVER, CO - March 31: Mike Miller #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies stands on the court during a game against the Denver Nuggets on March 31, 2014 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - March 31: Mike Miller #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies stands on the court during a game against the Denver Nuggets on March 31, 2014 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Former Memphis Grizzlies Guard Mike Miller’s time in Memphis was magical. His seven seasons in Memphis were so magical Miller lands at number eight on our Greatest Grizzlies list.

Number eight is a good fit for Mike Miller who still makes his way around Memphis today as a retired NBA champion, and current assistant coach on Penny Hardaway‘s coaching staff at the University of Memphis.

In his time in the NBA, the 6’8″ wing could play the two-spot along with the three if needed on some nights. Miller was the definition of “full Grizzly.”

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Mike Miller was one of the best spot-up shooters the Memphis Grizzlies had seen in their short time in the 901. Miller found that shooting would help prolong his career in the NBA. After six seasons with the Grizzlies his first time around, he decided to take his talents elsewhere to grow. First he joined Minnesota (via trade) for a year and then traveled east to Washington D.C. for a season.

Miller spent three years with one of the best athletes the game of basketball has seen in LeBron James and the Miami Heat. Miller became one of James’ favorite teammates and that speaks volumes to Miller as a man. We know that guy. Grizz Nation had watched Mike Miller grow up before our eyes those first six seasons. Seeing Miller getting recognition was satisfying for Memphians knowing that Miller was finding big-time success.

The return home to Memphis was almost a fairy tale for Grizzlies fans. Seeing Mike Miller win on the biggest stage of the NBA was amazing, but seeing him want to bring that to Memphis was even more amazing.

So, Miller, at the age of 33, returned home to the city of Memphis in 2013 to try to help their “Core Four” leap to the next level. This was a similar story to his former teammate Shane Battier who is just one spot behind him on Beale Street Bears’ all-time list.

Miller returned home to the city of Memphis and won the team over so fast. The professionalism that both Miller and Battier both brought in their return to the Memphis Grizzlies (at different times) instantly rubbed off on their teammates.

Miller played a significant role off the Grizzlies’ bench, playing the role of the Sixth Man and providing a huge spark for the team.

Moments like this made such an impact on a roster (the Grizzlies) trying to get over that final hurdle in a brutal Western Conference. It is not in the above video, but Mike Miller took that ring into the Memphis Grizzlies’ huddle and basically told the team “this is what it is about!”

Miller did his best to push Memphis over the top in that one season, but Memphis would fall to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round. His time with Memphis is a story we will continue to never forget, and we get the chance to watch “Double-M” grow in a new profession, and that is coaching at the U of M under Penny Hardaway.

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