Orlando’s Miller Named Top Rookie

Almost a year after turning pro last summer following only two seasons at the University of Florida, Mike Miller became the NBA’s rookie of the year.

“Everybody’s going to have their own opinion, and maybe their opinions were right. Maybe I would have been better next year,” the Orlando Magic swingman said Thursday. “But it was going to be a transition regardless.

“You’ve just got to be mentally and physically prepared to learn the whole season. If you do that, and take everything in, you’ll be fine.”

Filling in for injured all-star Grant Hill, Miller was the only rookie to appear in every game.

Miller, 21, received 75 of a possible 124 votes from a panel of sports writers and broadcasters.

The New Jersey Nets’ Kenyon Martin had 36 votes and the Golden State Warriors’ Marc Jackson seven. The Clippers’ Darius Miles and the Toronto Raptors’ Morris Peterson got three votes apiece.

Miller, the fifth pick in the draft, averaged 11.9 points, four rebounds, 1.7 assists and 29.1 minutes. Among rookies, he ranked in the top seven in six categories, including first in three-point percentage (.407) and third in scoring.

San Antonio Spur guard Antonio Daniels had treatment on a sore right hamstring and is questionable for Saturday’s Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Dallas Mavericks. Daniels has started for Derek Anderson (separated shoulder).

Forward Malik Rose also was treated for a sore right wrist, but is expected to play in Game 4. Rose was hurt by a flagrant foul from Dallas’ Juwan Howard, who also injured Anderson on a flagrant foul.