Oliver Miller looks to put weight issues behind him By DAN GELSTON Associated Press Writer October 8, 2002 INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Oliver Miller's trip back to the NBA has been as wide as his 6-foot-9, 325-pound frame. Miller, a first-round pick in 1992 who helped Phoenix reach the NBA Finals as a rookie, is trying to win a roster spot in training camp with the Indiana Pacers. He doesn't look at this as a last chance to revive a stagnant career. The 32-year-old center has rediscovered his love for the game and says he can become a productive player again. ``I'll never cut it out unless I'm in a wheelchair, a walker, or you see me somewhere on 'Jerry Springer' stuck in a bed and I can't get out,'' Miller said. He thinks his play will answer any lingering questions about his commitment to basketball. Miller also says the route he took to get invited to the Pacers' camp proves how much he wants to be back in the league. He bounced from the Harlem Globetrotters to the CBA to the ABA and USBL all in one year. ``I just wanted to prove to everyone in the league I'm still dedicated and committed,'' Miller said. ``I put up the numbers people said I couldn't.'' With the USBL's Dodge City Legend, Miller even ranked second on the team in assists with 72 in only 15 games. He's played for five teams in eight NBA seasons. His best campaign came with Toronto in 1995-96, when he averaged 12.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.88 blocks in 76 games. Brendan Malone, now an assistant coach with the Pacers, was Toronto's head coach. Isiah Thomas, now Indiana's coach, was a part-owner of the Raptors Thomas said Miller's girth has caused his abilities to be overlooked. ``There's a prejudice against people that we may consider overweight, but they're great athletes,'' Thomas said. ``Oliver Miller is a great athlete. He gets up and down the floor and passes the ball.'' Still, Miller hasn't played in the NBA since the 1999-00 season, when he played in 51 games in his second stint with the Suns. Concerns about his weight, which ballooned to about 375 pounds, pushed him out of the league. ``I know I'm in shape to go play,'' he said. ``I've gone through an NBA training camp and will be a step ahead of them.''
Good for him. I always remember what Barkley and Jordan said about the Big O..... Barkley: The only way we can get him to touch the ring is to put a cheesburger on it. Jordan, after Miller said he will get a tripple double against the Bulls: The only thing he's gonna get is a tripple cheeseburger. BTW, it's not fun to make fun of someone's weight.
I saw Oliver walking around during the Summer League games. He didn't seem as overweight as he has been in the past. He walked by Rudy and said "hi" to him and Rudy smiled and said "hey" back. Oliver had some talent.
Had he controlled the weight he would have been good. Great soft hands for a big guy. I'm talking near Chris Webber big man passing abilities.
Remember when the Gorilla wore that fat suit under a Miller jersey and started stealing everyone's popcorn in front of him? That was classic.
