Brad Miller on Weed, Booze, and Coping

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.

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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 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 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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