Hate to say told you so about Mike Miller being a tad injury prone. This one looks like a freakish injury, but it could be significant. Just a guess here, but if it's a deal where it requires surgery, you're probably looking at a couple months without him. Udonis was quoted as saying that it wasn't season-ending, but just hearing quotes like that makes you wonder if it's going to be a lingering issue regardless of when he comes back. I know it's not the same as a wrist injury, but James Jones didn't truly recover from his wrist injury until a year later.
Speaking of James, it looks like he'll be the primary backup at the small forward spot until Miller comes back. Now, Jones wasn't great when he was playing significant minutes late in the year two seasons ago, but with this team around him he'll probably be very dependable. Defensively is where the problem could be, but he does anticipate drives well and takes a share of charges. Twice in his career he has averaged better than 20 minutes a game, once with Phoenix when he averaged 9.3 points a game and once with Portland, when he shot 44.4 percent from three-point range in 58 games.
He probably won't play 20 minutes even without Miller, but you should always feel good when he throws up a long-distance shot. Eddie House will likely find his way into the rotation as well, especially if Dwyane takes some time to get into true game shape.
In all, Miller's absence will hurt mostly in terms of versatility, rebounding, ball-handling, smart passes, etc. And that's no small deal. But if it's just a couple months, which is about 30 games, then this team can absorb the hit. Just as long as there aren't many more along the way.
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