Empty the Bench

By: Zachariah Blott

Andre Miller (yes, f’ing Andre Miller) scores 52: Last Saturday in Dallas, journeyman PG Andre Miller, who is not a good shooter and not particularly quick, hit everything in sight to drop a career-high 52 points. Here’s a little perspective on that evening: he’s averaging 13 points per, and he preceded this contest with point totals of 2, 7, and 6, and so far he’s followed it up with 8 and 9.

During that fateful January 30 win in Dallas, Miller connected on 22 of 31 shots, his only triple, and 7 of 8 free throws. Sure, Portland was missing Brandon Roy and countless others to every conceivable injury, but Aldridge or Bayless were supposed to go off, not Miller. At the age of 33, Miller became the oldest player to ever set a career-high in scoring that’s over 50 points.

Collison is a quick study: New New Orleans starting PG Darren Collison has apparently channeled Chris Paul’s passing energy, because he’s done alright for himself in his three starts since the superstar’s injury. This past week, Collison collected 18, 14, and 9 assists, all against teams sniffing Western Conference playoff berths. He also started 8 games at the end of November, but he surpassed 9 assists only once during that span.

Two-Minute Warning renamed Tyreke Evans House of Kick Ass: Rookie Tyreke Evans decided the Kings weren’t going to lose to the Spurs by double digits on Wednesday night, so he went all Reggie Miller on SA in the final 1:39. Down 107-94, Evans stole the ball from George Hill and dunked home 2 points, which he rapidly followed up with 10 more points, another steal, and 3 assists. Despite his 17 4th-quarter points, the Kings still lost, but 115-113 doesn’t look so bad when you’re this dependent on a rookie to do everything.

Zachariah Blott cannot recommend Rick Telander’s “Heaven Is A Playground” enough.

Andre Miller Photo Credit: Icon SMI

Possibly Related Content:

1. Andre Miller: Adjusting to Philly


2. Friday Boxscore Breakfast: 20-20 Vision of (and Production from) the 2009 Draft, and Other Oddities from the Week


3. Boxscore Breakfast: Odom and Gasol Dominate, and Other Oddities from the Week


4. Boxscore Breakfast: Blatche is the Main Man, and Other Oddities from the Week


5. Friday Boxscore Breakfast, Starring John Salmons’ Good Luck for the Bucks