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Game previews:
Turning the page was about finances, too.
Miller privately sought a contract extension from the Griz. The organization balked because of Miller’s history with injuries, specifically recurring back trouble. He’ll earn $9 million this season and $9.75 million for the final year of his deal in 2009-10.
“Yeah, I think that had something to do with (the trade),” said Miller, who averages 10.3 points. “I’m sure there were a lot of things involved. O.J. Mayo probably made it easier, too.”
Now the Grizzlies get to give it a whirl. Because Love and the Timberwolves are at FedExForum tonight. Because gloating over the draft-night deal of Love and Miller for Mayo would probably be bad form.
But make no mistake, gloating is in order. The Grizzlies won this one, big.
Everyone from Love and Mayo to their coaches and teammates caution a trade can only be fairly evaluated after several seasons because of differing circumstances: Mayo plays 38 minutes a game and is an offensive centerpiece on a bad team. Love plays less than 23 minutes a game and is a reserve role player on a team that has won three games fewer than Memphis.
Which begs this question: Why isn’t Love — in whom a team that won’t make the playoffs has invested so much — starting and playing 30-plus minutes a game?
“I’m just a believer in that if you earn something, it always means more,” Wolves coach Kevin McHale said. “It doesn’t do any good to anybody to give them anything.”
Love, 20, said there’s no simple explanation for his four-game turnaround.
He has been putting in some extra time after practice with assistant coach Dean Cooper, working on his touch shots around the rim and trusting that they will go in.
The difference is, they finally have started to.
“The biggest thing is, those little, excuse my French, bull(squat) chip shots I’ve been missing, they’re starting to go in a little bit,” Love said. “If I start knocking down more of my free throws, start knocking down my jumper a little bit, that’ll open some more stuff for me. The good thing is I’ve got my confidence. When I’m getting the ball, I’m looking to shoot, looking to drive, looking to pass. So I’ve got confidence.”
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