This is not a retirement story.
Mike Miller is beyond that. But as with any player in any league for 16 seasons, the question never actually stops being asked. But, so far, never has his steadfast response to play next season, which is always along the lines of: I have more basketball left in me.
This is, however, a comeback tale. As in, the Nuggets would like the sharpshooting veteran forward to come back to the team next season. Miller signed a one-year contract with the Nuggets just before the start of training camp.
“If I have to make him an assistant coach, player-coach, whatever,” said Nuggets coach Michael Malone, smiling. “Mike Miller has been tremendous.”
Nuggets Mailbag:
Miller will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer.
If he’s back in Denver next season, it’ll be in large part to reprise the role he has had this season. And that role was to be ready to play whenever called upon, but more so to be a steady locker room presence for the young players.
In other words, it is not likely a ton of playing time comes with that.
“Everybody wants to play more,” Miller said. “But my job is whatever they tell me to do. I’d love to play a lot more, but sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t. But I’m going into the offseason, my body feels fantastic, it’s one of those years where my body is rebuilt. So, I feel good and I know I can help, so we’ll see what happens.”
Asked if he could return in that same role, Miller didn’t hesitate.
“I think I can,” he said. “It’s obviously a different situation than I’m accustomed to, a different challenge. But it’s been fun to see the growth in these guys. The organization is taking strides in the right direction. That’s all you can ask for as a player. Learned a lot from coach Malone as well, so it’s been a good situation for me.”
In the 44 games he has played, Miller has averaged 7.8 minutes — the first time in his career he has averaged under 10. Yet he has been valuable in a variety of ways.
“I just can’t speak enough about his work ethic, his example that he sets every day,” Malone said. “Even (Thursday). This was practice No. 118. Even (Thursday), three games to go, Mike Miller is in here, working hard, setting the example. I don’t think you can have enough guys like that. The fact that he has two world championships, sixth man of the year, rookie of the year. … I’d love to have Mike back. I think he’s been a tremendous help for me, the staff and all of our players. I hope he’s a Nugget for a while.”
Outside of being questioned by a reporter about his desire to return to the Nuggets, Miller insisted, “I haven’t even put any thought to it, to be honest with you.
“I still have a passion for basketball, so I’ll be on the court next year. And we’ll discuss it when the season is over.
“I’ve always said, if I feel I can help, whether it’s on the court, in the locker room, whatever it is, I’m going to continue to play. It’s the only thing I’ve ever known.
Miller grinned.
“And my kids still want me to do it,” he said. “Which is good.”
Christopher Dempsey: cdempsey@denverpost.com or @dempseypost
SAN ANTONIO AT DENVER 7 p.m. Friday, ALT; 950 AM
Spotlight on Patty Mills:
San Antonio puts a lot of shooters on the court, but Mills still finds a way to stand out. He entered Thursday night’s game at Golden State tops in the NBA in 3-pointers made off the bench (113). The seventh-year guard from Saint Mary’s was averaging 8.7 points entering Thursday’s game.
NOTEBOOK
Nuggets:
Coach Michael Malone knows his team won’t get a swing at a fully stocked Spurs team. San Antonio probably will rest some players after playing at Golden State on Thursday night. “To be honest, I’m not worried about it,” Malone said. “It’s more important, after our last three losses, us trying to get back to some semblance of playing quality basketball. So if they play their guys, great. If they rest their guys, great. We still have a job to do.” … Veteran forward Darrell Arthur is expected to miss the game because of a family matter.
Spurs:
They are 3-0 against the Nuggets this season and have won 10 consecutive games in the series. Five have come at the Pepsi Center. The last time the Nuggets beat the Spurs was April 10, 2013, in Denver. … The Spurs will be wrapping up a three-game road trip Friday. Boris Diaw isn’t on the trip. He is recovering from a sore adductor muscle.
