Each week commenter Stu tracks a forgotten player in local sports history. Lately, he seems to be focusing a lot on former Timberwolves, which is just fine by us. Stu? -------------
The Huntdown
Name: Oliver Miller Nickname: The Big O. Oscar Robertson should call his lawyers. Claim to Fame, Minnesota: a center for your Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2003-2004 season. It was his first NBA action in four years, and as it turned out, his last. While his stat line was nothing special, both Kevin Garnett and Mark Madsen praised him for his passing ability. [Proprietor note: The veracity of the entire document was called into question, however, when Madsen talked about Miller getting him three or four easy buckets. Madsen never had an easy bucket]. Claim to Fame, Everywhere Else: the "Big" in "Big O" is in reference to Miller's substantial girth. He came into the NBA from the University of Arkansas listed at 280 lbs, but was noticeably heavier as his career went on. As his Wiki entry notes, he's been everywhere, man: six different NBA teams, the Globetrotters, Poland, and the Dakota Wizards are just some of his stops. Where He Is Now: Miller was arrested last month for allegedly pistol-whipping another man at a barbecue near his home in Maryland. Don't make the obvious "he must have put his hand too close to Oliver's food" joke. You're better than that. Is He on Twitter: maybe? Not a verified account. It made me sad to read it. Glorious Randomness: were Oliver Miller and Stanley Roberts the same person? Can you prove it either way?
