Mike Miller committed to the Boyz last week. Today, in the wake of Beasley's official departure and Miami's official reclamation of more cap -- Arn Tellem, Miller's agent, confirms Miller's imminent arrival ... a la Ringo.
Tellem:
One of my earliest basketball clients, B.J. Armstrong, was the Ringo [Starr] of his era. B.J. helped make the Chicago Bulls fab during the early 1990s. He was the point guard who kept the back beat, if not the backcourt beat. Of course, he got by with a little help from his friends: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant. Together, the quartet won three NBA titles -- and you know they don't come easy.
Today, another client of mine, Mike Miller, announces his intention to sign a five year free-agent contract with the Miami Heat. Mike welcomes the chance to be the Ringo in a hot combo that already includes LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. Providentially, this week the original Ringo and his All Starr Band have a gig just up I-95 in Hollywood, Florida.
For the last week, Mike's future has hinged on LeBron's. We talked to the Bulls, the New York Knicks, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Clippers. The Knicks showed tremendous interest: Coach Mike D'Antoni is clearly crazy about Mike's ability. Had the Cavaliers kept LeBron, Mike would have been a great fit for them, too. And, yes, the Clippers were a credible option. But LeBron was always the elephant in the room, just as Mike is now the octopus in the garden (so to speak).
With all the aces played in the free-agency deck, the Heat needed to fill out its hand with someone who could hold the insanely-talented vortex together. The Heat needed a Ringo, a shooting guard who would maintain the tempo and never miss a beat. Mike is that guy.
