The Toronto Star from Toronto, Ontario, Canada • 53

M10K0NI0 STAR Friday, February 14,1997 C5 Raptors give the Big another go-round ByMakyOrmsby SPORTS REPORTER Hes back, bigger than life. At least, larger than his first incarnation as a Raptor. But for capricious centre Oliver Milt er, returning to Toronto after voiding a guaranteed contract worth about $5.4 million (U.S.) but Ming to mine a richer free-agent fortune is a mammoth moment "I feel like a runaway child coming back home to his family said the 6-foot-9 Miller, who appears for heftier than his listed playing weight of 325 pounds. Tve been away for a while but Im back. I'm happy to be back and its time to go to work and pick up where we left off last year.

If only it were that simple. When Miller opted out of the final two years of his contract last April to foe jaw-dropping shock of general manager Is-iah Thomas the Raptors had to scramble. They suddenly had to replace Miller's formidable presence in the middle and tiy to shore up other weak spots for the chibs second season. In file meantime, Miller dove headfirst into the free-agent frenzy last summer but emeiged without a bite. He ended up signing for the league minimum $247,500 (UJS.) with the Dallas Mavericks, who waived him Feb.

7 when new general manager Don Nel son came aboard. Even though Miller had a career year in Toronto (averaging 12.9 points, 7.4 rebounds), Thomas said it would be absurd not to forgive him for leaving in order to bolster the iiyury-pnone Raptors and make a playoff run. "It was a business decision that Oliver made and we never took it personally, I never took it personalty," said the Raptors GM, who signed Miller to a deal for about $100,000 (U.S.) through seasons end. "Who are we to (thumb) our nose at talent? Its not like were the Chicago Bulls and we can pick and choose. Who are we to say fids guy is not good enough? Especially when so many Raptor big men rotate through side bay.

Marcus Camby could donate his body to science with his uncanny ability to annihilate joints and ligaments one by one. Zan Tabaks heel is so sore he can hardly walk Sharone Wright has a herniated disk and, understandably, a chronically sore back. By acquiring Miller, Thomas said he wanted to show he hadnt quit on his players, who sit at 17-31 going into tonight's rematch against the Milwaukee Bucks at Maple Leaf Gardens. Miller, who will suit up tonight, will be an asset for interior defence, shot-blocking and rebounding, the GM said. "Were trying to make the playoffs and I think realistically it is (a plausible goal), Thomas said.

I just want these guys to know they still have a chance. A second chance is all Miller asks. "You know that old cliche about the grass is always greener on the other side? Well, I was in the mud. Its idee to be back on a nice, fertilized IflWIL Miller said the context of his 'T dont care comment that so angered Nelson meant he had no control over how coach Jim Geamons used him. In related moves, guard John Long (back strain) was placed on the injured list and forward Earl Cureton retired to be the assistant strength and conditioning coach.

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RWItHMJMIMBWIMIIItHtU TOLL FREE 1-800-295-6371 MARKHAM 905-470-7044 4072 Hwy. 7, Markham UJCOLN isUH (416)798-7025 MARKVILLE MERCURY RUNAWAY CHILD HOME1 The centre-bereft Raptors yesterday welcomed back Oliver Miller a little wiser and a lot poorer. Raptors taking aim at T.O. sports fans Chris Young Toronto International Centre 6900 Airport Road (one mile north of Toronto International Airport) Lots of Free Parking Friday, February 14 -10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Adults $8.50 Saturday, February 1 5 -1 0 a.m. to 8 p.m. Seniors Teenagers $6.00 Sunday, February 16 -10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Children 12-and-under Free What went on in Dallas, Phoenix and Detroit we didnt experience here last year, Thomas said.

"Thats not to say hes not that way. But we havent seen those things. So the upshot is that Darrell Walker doesnt have to worry about the same matters that got Brendan Malone into a pickle about this time last year, when his job was hanging by a thread that eventually snapped. Walker can coach to win, and get the contract extension hedesores. And with the arena saga beginning to unwind, the Raptors can enter into another struggle with the Leafs.

Moving forward means going right after the hearts of Toronto's sports public. Even if that involves bringing back Oliver Miller, and taking the risk that what happened in Dallas, and Phoenix, and Detroit, wont happen here. Theres a possibility it might but my job is to give our fans, our players, and our coaches the best chance of AS IF THE signals werent that clear the past few weeks, the Raptors sent up another one yesterday by signing Oliver Miller for the rest of the season. Its just this: The playoffs may be out of the question, but going after as many Ws as possible is not Claim honors in the megadty tractor pull with the Leafs and maybe gain a few fans. That amounts to a small step forward in their second year of operation, they arent going to go out the way they did last season, with white flags flapping over everyones head, at least figuratively.

A couple of important conditions are behind this, chief among them is that league provision barring Toronto and Vancouver from the No. 1 pick and the fact that after this Junes No. 1 pick (Tim Duncan), there's a drop-off steeper than the Mariana Trench. So theres no percentage in folding to score the second over-all pick, who will be nearly as much of a reach as No. 10.

Win 30 games, say, and theyll be in fire same predicament as if its 20. About this time a year ago, Isiah Thomas was readying to pick up Sharone Wright and Doug Christie, then send the Raptors firmly into the tank for the final two months. Such a strategy accomplished the objective of securing Marcus Camby as the second over-all choice. Thomas knows all that But he actually wasnt all that sure about bringing Miller back for a reprise. This was a player who, he said last summer, had without question betrayed him by picking up his option and becoming a free agent Around about last Saturday, Thomas mind was leaning toward not re-signing Miller.

I was very cautious," he said yesterday. I wanted to do my homework, to make sure that from a chemistry standpoint it would fit talk to the coaches, and also wanted to see what went on, if anything, in Dallas. Despite the bad feeling surrounding Millers previous departure here and in Dallas last week, there is some kinship between the two. Miller had his best pro season here in Toronto, thanks partly to a no-pressure, first-year atmosphere, managements refusal to get too upset with his bulge battle and his occasional loutishness. He was capable of playing smart, inspired basketball.

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Valentine's Day Treat all the ladies admitted free after 5 p.m. And if what happened before happens again, the Raptors can say goodbye to Miller, just like he said goodbye to them last summer. Chris Youngs basketball column normally appears four times a week. SPORTSCUU) SHOW THIS SUL FEI. 1l.12-5P.il.

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