Miller selected as NBA’s top reserve

A player must come off the bench in at least half of their games to be considered for the award.

Miller received 88 first-place votes and a total of 501 points from a panel of 123 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. He outdistanced Hornets guard Speedy Claxton and Dallas swingman Jerry Stackhouse for the award.

Claxton finished second in the balloting with 14 first-place votes and 205 points, while Stackhouse garnered 12 first-place tallies and 162 points. Detroit’s Antonio McDyess was fourth and Denver’s Earl Boykins finished fifth.

The multi-talented Miller contributed for the Grizzlies on both ends of the floor, averaging 13.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per contest. The Florida product played in 74 games — 65 as a reserve — and shot a team-best 40.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Miller cemented his candidacy after pouring in a career-high 41 points, including a 6-for-6 effort from three-point range, during a March 17 victory against Denver. He also became the third player in the last 10 years to record a triple-double in a game he did not start, posting 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a January 10 win over Sacramento.

The 2001 Rookie of the Year with the Orlando Magic, Miller is the first member of the Grizzlies to take home the award.