Bulls' Brad Miller feeling right at home
Brad Miller left the Bulls quietly back on Feb. 19, 2002. His departure in a trade with Indiana was hardly noticed that day after Ron Artest, who was part of the same deal, ripped his portrait off the Berto Center wall on his way out the door.
"I'm a lot different from when I was here the first time," Miller said recently.
That's funny, because the 7-foot center sure seems like the same laid-back Indiana native he was from 2000-02, when he first wore a Bulls uniform.
"I'm more crafty, a little bit more wisdom," Miller said. "I've just played a lot of games and had some success as a team. I just want to carry that here and get these guys in the playoffs."
True, during Miller's one full season in Chicago, the Bulls finished 15-67. Since departing, he's appeared in 34 playoff games.
Tonight in Philadelphia, he'll play his 11th game since returning to the Bulls in a trade from Sacramento on Feb. 18. So far, he's been predictably steady, averaging 10.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and shooting 47.4 percent from the field.
Miller was never billed as a lockdown defender, though his success denying Yao Ming the ball was vital to the Bulls' 17-point comeback against Houston on Feb. 28. If there is any disappointment, it's Miller's 2.4 assist average. He's been well above 3 assists per game during the past four seasons.
Maybe because seven years passed between stints with the Bulls, coming back to his old team didn't seem awkward for the former Purdue star.
"A long time, a lot of games since then," he said. "But it's been a lot of fun. Obviously, it's easier to feel comfortable with people that work here. Just the places to live and what to do and obviously being close to home, it's just been a bonus. The playoff opportunity has been the best part about the whole thing.
"All my friends are a little different, there's no doubt about that. I'm always up here during the summer as it is. It just makes it easier to get to Cubs games now."
This week's three-game road trip has been as much fun as recent Cubs playoff games. The Bulls suffered a gut-wrenching double-overtime loss in Miami on Monday, then failed to show for Wednesday's 107-79 mashing in Orlando.
A win tonight might give the Bulls some hope of moving higher than the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They trail the 76ers by 31/2 games, but the teams will meet again at the United Center on April 9.
The Bulls won in Philadelphia 102-93 on Nov. 30 in a game best remembered for Derrick Rose's highlight plays. His crossover move forced veteran Sixers guard Andre Miller to fall backward. Rose also soared from behind to block a Miller fast-break lay in out of bounds.
Bulls vs. Philadelphia 76ers at the Wachovia Center, 6 p.m.
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Radio: WMVP 1000-AM
Update: Seventh-place Philadelphia holds a 31/2-game lead over the Bulls in the Eastern Conference but is just 4-7 since the all-star break. Derrick Rose made a number of highlight-package plays in the Bulls' 103-92 road win on Nov. 30, but the Bulls lost at home to the Sixers two days later. With Elton Brand (shoulder) out for the year, Andre Iguodala is Philadelphia's top scorer at 17.9 ppg.
Next: New Orleans Hornets at the United Center on Saturday, 7:30 p.m.