Miller, Redd to provide long-range help for U.S.
Welcome to the Mike & Mike Show.
No, not the one on national radio from ESPN. This show is arguably more entertaining, especially when the 3-point shots are dropping. And Mike Miller and Michael Redd intend to put on such a show for those who come out to watch Team USA play in the FIBA Americas Championship, which begins today at the Thomas & Mack Center.
The Americans play Venezuela at 8 p.m. in an opening-round Group B pool-play game, which will be televised live nationally on ESPN Classic (Cable 322).
“I’m loving it,” said Redd, a 6-foot-6-inch shooting guard who has averaged 20.1 points per game and is a career 39 percent shooter from 3-point range in seven NBA seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks. “I’m getting comfortable with the new ball. My rhythm’s coming around. Each day, I get more confident with my shot.”
Miller also has seven years of NBA experience with Orlando and Memphis and is a 40 percent 3-point shooter with a career 14.1 ppg average.
“I’m excited about helping the team,” he said. “Everyone’s putting everything aside and our goal is to win this tournament.”
After the Americans struggled with their perimeter shooting at last year’s FIBA World Championships and settled for third place, Miller and Redd were brought in to bolster the offense. Redd was supposed to play last year but got married in August and was unable to fulfill his commitment to the national team. He and Miller are two of eight new faces on this year’s roster.
“We know why we’re here,” Miller said of his and Redd’s role. They want us to knock down shots, and Mike and I are very comfortable with that.”
Redd said while there’s pressure on Team USA to qualify for next year’s Olympic Games, he doesn’t feel he’s shouldering an additional burden to produce.
“For me, there’s no pressure at all,” he said. “Pressure is my mother dying in bed from cancer. This is fun. Playing basketball with all this talent. Representing your country. It’s great.”
Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski said the roster got an upgrade from a year ago with the addition of Redd and Miller.
“They’re real professionals,” Krzyzewski said. “Not only do they have great natural talent and the ability to shoot the ball, they’re extremely hard workers and very coachable.
“We needed to be better at shooting the ball from the outside, and I think we’ve addressed that with Mike Miller and Michael Redd.”
