Orlando Magic Daily
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Orlando Magic Top 30: The Most Popular Snubs

By Philip Rossman-Reich

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Mike Miller, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards
ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 30: Mike Miller #50 of the Orlando Magic is set to dunk during the game against the Washington Wizards at TD Waterhouse Centre on December 30, 2002 in Orlando, Florida. The Magic won 112-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2002 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE/Getty Images) /

Mike Miller (2001-03)

The Orlando Magic have had two Rookie of the Year award winners. Shaquille O’Neal is the first one. But Anfernee Hardaway and Dwight Howard failed to win the award. The second winner was Mike Miller.

That seems like an odd answer since Miller never developed into an All-Star in the league. But he was a key contributor to a Playoff team as a rookie and grew into a deadly 3-point shooter.

Miller averaged 11.9 points per game on a 40.7 percent 3-point shooting. That was enough to edge out Kenyon Martin for the award. Ultimately it was his contribution to a playoff team that put him over the top.

Miller increased his scoring to 15 points per game the following year, one marred by a broken arm early in the year that led him to miss a significant time.

He was a likable guy and close to the Magic’s star in Tracy McGrady. His trade could easily be seen as a reason those teams fell apart in 2004, despite the strong finish to the season in 2003 and the near upset of the Detroit Pistons in the first round.

Miller was something of a hometown hero. He gained a good following with his college career with the Florida Gators. He made a game-winning shot over the Butler Bulldogs in the first round of the NCAA Tournament that lifted the team to its first trip to the National Championship Game and second Final Four.

Miller’s pet monkey Sonny also gained a lot of notoriety in his time with Orlando. He was a quirky kid from South Dakota living life in Florida. And producing on the floor too.