NBA Q&A: Mike Miller

Courtesy of Ira Winderman

Q: Did you see this coming?

A: "Yeah, I saw it coming."

Q: When did you learn?

A: "I heard it from my agent on Monday night, about 10:30."

Q: Were you working with the Heat on this, with Pat Riley saying he first tried to trade you?

A: "No, I was unaware of that. I didn't know. I knew they had to make moves and things like that. Listen, after playing this many years, I've come to understand the business side of it. It is what it is."

Q: What are the emotions of the moment, knowing your Heat career is over, not being here to go for the three-peat, not being here to go for a fourth consecutive NBA Finals with these guys?

A: "It's tough. I think what people really don't understand is how much time we put into it. And then you also have to factor in the family stuff. You can talk about being amnestied and being traded all you want, and the fact that you may know it's coming. But when it hits, so many things hit in your head of what you have to do now. What do you do with your family? Where am I going to be? What do I do with the kids in school? And things like that."

Q: And  what about inside the locker room?

A: "You're leaving friends. Our team, what we put together three years ago, was unbelievable players. But the people, the guys in the locker room, have been great. There's stuff you're just going to miss. You're going to miss walking out that tunnel with these guys, collecting that ring next year with these guys. Those are tough things. Those are things you'll definitely miss."

Q: What's next for you?

A: "I feel great. I feel great. I'm excited about the next spot. I'm re-energized. I really am. I'm just feeling healthy. I'm ready to play. I started get back in there again last week and I can't wait to play again next year. Honestly, it's disappointing, because, I think, being a part of this and going for a three-peat would have been an unbelievable ride and a story. But I've been blessed, as well. I came here and got two championships and I can't thank them enough for that opportunity."

Q: But you at least saw it coming, two years ago when you put your Hillsboro Beach for sale, last year when you sold it. Was it almost a case of "when" rather than "if"?

A: "No one ever claims to be smarter or anything like that. You see writings on the wall. When the collective-bargaining agreement came out, you knew, and  we've talked about this a thousand times, you knew that with this team, the further they got down the line, the more and more expensive it was going to be to keep this team together. And you subtract the variables of the Big Three [LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh] and who's next in line? [Miller had the fourth-highest salary on the payroll prior to his release.] So, it's not so much that you're smart, it's just that you're planning ahead. The bottom line was the way I looked at things and the way I weigh my options on things, if I sell my house and I'm here for two more years, what's the harm in that? If you don't sell your house and you're gone, well, then you've got to a house here. It was pretty easy for me."

Q: As you move forward, now, at 33, what do you see yourself as in the NBA?

A: "Whatever's needed. I think I've got a lot left. Put aside the [early stages of the] playoffs and the beginning of the season, but looking at what I did the last 10 games, that's what I used to do when I was playing and I feel like I still have that. What is more important to me is what is asked of me to be successful. And that's what I'll give 'em. If it's standstill 3-point shooting, like I did here, and rebounding and things like that? Count me in. If you need stuff off the dribble, I'm here to do whatever. I'm at a point in my career, now, like I've said, I've had some individual success. But I've had two rings now. And it sounds crazy when people say it all the time, but if I average one point or if I average 18 points and we win, that's all I care about."

Q: Have you spoken to any of your teammates after learning about the release?

A: "I talked on the phone to U.D. [teammate and former University of Florida roommate Udonis Haslem], of course, because that's my guy, like forever. Then I get texts from D-Wade and  LeBron."