"The Big O has zero..." (December 10, 1998)

In some weird parallel universe, Oliver Miller will make a fourth return to the Toronto Raptors. But in this one, his sorry fat ass is canned. But, with Miller, nothing is easy. It seems that Mr. Miller filed a grievance with the NBA disputing $500,000 owed to him because of performance incentives. The root of the problem is based on whether his performance is based on averages per game or totals per season. I think Miller must be hurting by the lockout (or at least his eating habits are). I guess no more seven course meals Spago, it's Sizzler until the lockout is over. Kind of funny, if you ask me. He signed a league minimum contract for $272,250, but it was incentive laden, like most veteran league minimum contracts. Personally, I think this story is without merits. Miller just wants to get back at the Raptors, because he thinks they treated him so poorly. I think they treated him very well. I mean, they did bring him back three times. That's paramount to charity. The first time, it was their expansion year and they needed bodies. The second time, they needed a center. The third time, it was for comic relief. His skills have eroded as his pant size has increased. He should just let it go. According to insiders, they believe Miller, who is at home in Texas (remember Dallas cut him two years ago. Dallas!), after failing to find full-time work in Europe, desperately needs the money. I think he needs it to pay for his lifestyle. Steak and Faberge eggs for breakfast. Lobster for lunch. Gold for dinner. One source said, "When they talked about money raised from that (Dec. 19) charity game going to needy players, they were talking about Oliver."