This is the same team that's burned countless hours -- and seasons -- deliberating over how to shore up its deficient interior defense and rebounding. Patience clearly is the Grizzlies' middle name. Meanwhile, the Griz have compensated in those areas up front by relying on production by committee. In the short term, expect the same approach to their problematic backcourt situation with Damon Stoudamire out for the season following surgery to repair a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee. Enter Mike Miller. The 6-8 swingman appeared ready to return from a high left ankle sprain, and likely will be called upon to handle the ball at times tonight when the Griz host the Utah Jazz. "We can run the plays through him," Griz coach Mike Fratello said. "What he can do is get the ball where it has to be on the floor. He can make the entry pass to start our offense. And then (opponents) will have to deal with him as far as an offensive threat. "Before the injuries happened we'd put the ball in Mike's hands to make things happen -- whether it was break defenders down to get a shot for someone else or himself." Miller sat out the past two games because of the ankle injury suffered last Friday at Portland. Fratello will anxiously wait to see how Miller's ankle responds today after Miller ran and pushed off on it during Thursday's workout. Judging by Miller's pain threshold (he taped the ankle and finished the Portland game), one should expect him to be available. "It's as good as it's going to be," Miller said of the ankle. "I've been shooting the last couple of days. "When you get up and down the court and cut and go full speed, you never know. But I'm ready to play again." That Miller is an option to pick up ball-handling responsibilities should come as no surprise. The Griz have often relied on his versatility and court savvy with the second unit. Fratello pointed out Miller's ball-handling last season and earlier this season when the initial decision was made for Bobby Jackson (now the starting floor general) to play off the ball. Miller doesn't resist the role of directing the show when duty calls. He's not opposed to tweaking his game because he won't be required to act as a classic playmaker. He'll just have to think pass first, and then run off a screen to catch and shoot. "I'll do whatever it takes," Miller said. "It changes your game because you have to get other people involved first. At the two guard spot, it's just a matter of getting the offense going scoring-wise. From the point guard spot, you're trying to make sure everything is in place and people are doing what they're supposed to do. "The one thing about this team is you have to make sure you push the ball at the right time. We need to get as many easy baskets as possible. It's a challenge, but it's also a lot of fun." Fratello said he'll continue to use second-year guard Antonio Burks to spell Jackson. Clearly, though, Fratello favors experience and deft shooting at that position. In addition to playing with more size, allowing Miller to handle the ball is another way of keeping the threat of his outside shooting on the floor. Miller has averaged 30 minutes but his playing time has fluctuated in mostly a backup role. Miller should log starter's minutes with the added responsibility. "He knows all of the plays," Fratello said of Miller. "He knows everybody's position and what we're trying to get out of each set. I trust him with the ball. He makes good decisions with it. "A lot of this will have to do with who he'd match up against, too. But he gives us another guy who can put it on the floor and make good decisions with the ball." In another development, Miller has been mentioned several times as trade bait in a national report. A team insider denied the Grizzlies were shopping Miller but acknowledged that teams often ask for Miller to be included in deals. Recent Internet speculation had the Griz getting involved in a five-team "Ron Artest" deal that would send Miller to Indiana with Denver receiving Artest and the Griz picking up Earl Watson, Bryon Russell and Samaki Walker. Miller sounded unfazed by trade speculation. "My job is to play basketball right now and not worry about that," Miller said. "I'm happy with what's going on right now so it is what it is, right? "Jerry (West, team president) hasn't said anything to me and I trust he'll talk to me if anything is going to happen. You can't worry about (trade rumors) because it'll drive you crazy. 轉自灰熊官網討論區 有人可以翻譯一下嗎??我很懶..XD 似乎是說MM會回來打PG的樣子...然後後面也有些跟金塊之間的乳墨吧!! 大家看看吧^^ --

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