Sam Amick of the Sacramento Bee has a Q&A with Brad Miller that's well worth a read. Miller got caught on his third marijuana violation towards the end of the regular season, and had been mum on the subject since the league's announcement of his five-game suspension. With Amick, Miller opens up on his old demons and why he smoked.All the stress gets to you, and this is one way to take my mind off of everything. I'll look for something different. [...] It's tough to sleep, you know. And you know, the people who might think I'm a bad guy for this. I'm not a bad guy. I'm still me. It's just one thing I thought would help. It obviously wasn't the right thing to do, but it was helpful to my mental state. [...] The thing is, I don't like drinking anymore. A couple years ago - I'll say it - I drank way too much and didn't like who I was. It wasn't good for my relationship and basketball and everything. I'm just trying to find a way to change out of that, that relief.Bethlehem Shoals seems conflicted in that other known NBA smokers (Josh Howard, Lamar Odom) aren't offtered the calm understanding Amick gives in his question framing, but should be. I agree: calling Howard or Miller names for admitting to or getting caught smoking is immeasureably less valuable than hearing them out. Not to get all foo-foo, but more listening and less judging would be excellent. Someone call up and get David Harrison on to a couch.
Latest NBA Photos
China's former NBA player Wang Zhizhi (R) looks for an opening as Angola's Joaquim Gomes guards during their Stankovic Cup basketball game in Hangzhou on July 19, 2008 in eastern China's Zhejiang province. Angola defeated China 72-71. AFP PHOTO/Frederic J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)
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China's NBA star Yao Ming (R) looks for a pass as Angola's Joaquim Gomes (L) guards during their Stankovic Cup basketball game in Hangzhou on July 19, 2008 in eastern China's Zhejiang province. Angola defeated China 72-71. AFP PHOTO/Frederic J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)
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China's NBA players Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets (R) talks with Yi Jianlian of the New Jersey Nets during their Stankovic Cup baskeball game against Angola in Hangzhou on July 19, 2008 in eastern China's Zhejiang province. Angola defeated China 72-71. AFP PHOTO/Frederic J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)
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China's NBA star Yao Ming checks the scoreboard during their Stankovic Cup basketball tournament game against angola in Hangzhou on July 19, 2008 in eastern China's Zhejiang province. Angola defeated China 72-71. AFP PHOTO/Frederic J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)
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China's NBA player Yi Jianlian (L) tries to block a shot from Angola's Victor Muzadi (R) during the Stankovic Cup basketball tournament in Hangzhou on July 19, 2008 in eastern China's Zhejiang province. Angola defeated China 72-71. AFP PHOTO/Frederic J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)
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China's NBA star Yao Ming (C-#13) blocks a shot from Angola's Joaquim Gomes (L) during the Stankovic Cup basketball tournament in Hangzhou on July 19, 2008 in eastern China's Zhejiang province. Angola defeated China 72-71. AFP PHOTO/Frederic J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)
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China's NBA player Yi Jianlian (2nd R) vies for position with Angola's Victor Muzadi (R-#11) while awaiting the pass from China's Zhu Fangyu (L) during the Stankovic Cup basketball tournament in Hangzhou on July 19, 2008 in eastern China's Zhejiang province. Angola were leading China 32-31 at half-time. AFP PHOTO/Frederic J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)
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China's NBA player Yi Jianlian wipes his face during their Stankovic Cup basketball tournament game against Angola in Hangzhou on July 19, 2008 in eastern China's Zhejiang province. Angola were leading China 32-31 at half-time. AFP PHOTO/Frederic J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)
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China's NBA star Yao Ming (R) makes A move for the basket as Angola's Joaquim Gomes (2nd L) guards during the Stankovic Cup basketball tournament in Hangzhou on July 19, 2008 in eastern China's Zhejiang province. Angola were leading China 32-31 at half-time. AFP PHOTO/Frederic J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)
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Chinese NBA star Yao Ming slam dunks against Angola during the Stankovic Cup basketball tournament in Hangzhou on July 19, 2008 in eastern China's Zhejiang province. Angola were leading China 32-31 at half-time. AFP PHOTO/Frederic J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-18-2008 @ 6:40PM
keven said...
..the pressure? Excuse the punn, but you're treated like a King! Pressure is not having enough money to pay the electricity bill, just keep up with the excuses....another "above the law", "not respected", "underpaid" basketball player...poor them.....
Reply
7-18-2008 @ 10:47PM
Timothy said...
Listen I am 16 and I want to be just like you a NBA player so everytime I go out and practice which is everyday. When I'm finished I don't take out a joint and say you know what this is to stressful and smoke. You think that's fair to all the teenagers like who want to be an NBA player like you?
Reply
7-28-2008 @ 10:52PM
David Grant said...
Find a boys and girls club and go volunteer. Visit a childrens hospital. Go for a drive and find someone with real problems and put your basketball wins and losses in perspective. Lame excuse for drug use.
You are some kids hero in CA. Find some other players in the league doing the right thing and hang out with them.
High School Coach in OH
Reply
7-19-2008 @ 3:15AM
blacky said...
brad getting blazed doesnt surprise another above the law sports figure its ok iam brad miller
Reply
7-19-2008 @ 10:34AM
izzy said...
If legalized, marijuana would put the major pharmaceutical companies out of business for more than the reasons Miller gave. Think about all the people that take meds and drink for reasons such as depression, anxiety, arthritis, isomnia, anorexia, migraines and even effects from the common cold and fever. Marijuana "is" an alternative, like or not. It is here and is here to stay. Think about the billions and billions of dollars the country would save by not jailing participants.
There is no way on God's earth you can deny these facts. In this country, hundreds of thousands of people die every year from tabacco and alchohol, which by the way the country collects millions of dollars in tax revenue on. How many people's lives are affected, destoyed by these govenment controlled drugs.
The real crime here is the continued exploitation of our society which is disguised with out of control cost of oil, health care, communications and commodities.
Stop believing the propaganda you are taught as a child. Why do you believe in Jesus. Because your momma told you so.
Why is this the only nation on this earth that jails marijuana users.
Reply
7-22-2008 @ 6:17PM
pretty boy said...
Weed is awesome illegal. I love weed, but I also love the fact that it guarantees there will always be a working class. If you get a possession charge good luck trying to get a decent job in life.
It guarantees there will always be burger flippers, ditch diggers, and shoe cleaners. The fact that it cant be taxed is why it is still illegal, unless you think all these independent self employed drug dealers are all of a sudden going to stop selling, or keep selling and pay taxes.
Reality is calling, try answering the phone.
Reply
7-19-2008 @ 11:27PM
terry taft said...
there is nothing wrong with smoking weed, it is alot safer than going out & drinking, all weed does is mellow you out, it doesn't alter your mind like booze does. it is very good for calming yourself down! I would much rather be out on the road with someone smoking than someone out there drinking, you can't drive when you drink & you can when you smoke!!
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