Miller gets extension

[MavsFanFinley]

Grizzlies give Miller six-year contract extension

October 4, 2003

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Forward Mike Miller signed a six-year contract extension with the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, and Miller's agent didn't immediately return calls Saturday.

Memphis acquired Miller last season in a trade with the Orlando Magic, and he averaged 12.8 points and 3.4 rebounds in 16 games with the Grizzlies.

Miller's season averages were 15.6 points and 5.2 rebounds in 65 games with Orlando and Memphis.

In college, Miller led Florida to the 2000 NCAA championship game.

Selected fifth overall in the NBA draft by Orlando, he was the lone unanimous selection to the NBA All-Rookie First Team after averaging 11.9 points and four rebounds. In his second season, he improved to 15.2 points and 4.3 rebounds.

[MavsFanatik33]

This guy is not that great, Grizzlies should have never traded Bibby for him...

[dirno2000]

They traded Bibby for Jason Williams. But you're right, they never should have done that either. The Kings would not be as good as they are now.

[MavsFanFinley]

Grizzlies pick up options on F Gasol, F-G Battier

October 5, 2003

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) - The Memphis Grizzlies held on to two of their top young players Sunday, exercising the fourth-year options on the contracts of former Rookie of the Year Pau Gasol and swingman Shane Battier.

Gasol averaged 19.0 points last season while ranking ninth in the NBA in field-goal percentage (.510), 12th with 8.8 rebounds and 14th with 1.8 blocks per game. The 23-year-old Spaniard has not missed a game in his two-year career.

"This organization has shown from the beginning that they believe in me, and I am looking forward to being a part of an organization dedicated to winning," Gasol said.

Gasol won Rookie of the Year honors following the 2001-02 season, when he averaged 17.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.06 blocks and 2.7 assists. This summer, he carried Spain to the final of the European Basketball Championships, leading the tournament in scoring at 25.8 points per game.

Like Gasol, Battier was a member of the NBA's All-Rookie First Team in 2002. He slumped last season with averages of 9.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 78 games.

"We're excited about how Pau and Shane have developed during their last two seasons in the NBA and we're hopeful they will to continue to play well for us, which will greatly enhance our team in the future," president of basketball operations Jerry West said. "Both players had great summers preparing for this season, and we're pleased about having them on our squad."

[madape]

Mike Miller is very good. He'll be a borderline star with the Grizzlies for years. Gasol is the all-star on that team. But trust me, Miller is the guy that's going to be frustrating opponents and breaking people's hearts in the playoffs for the next 15 years. Mavericks fans will grow to hate this guy.