Andre Miller unplugged

A day after missing a game for the first time since the ’02-03 season, Blazers point guard Andre Miller chatted about his suspension, his guided-missile attack on Blake Griffin, and how the NBA has changed. And just like that blow to Griffin, he didn’t hold back.

On the significance of his streak: “It means a lot. Obviously it doesn’t mean anything to the league. I take pride in it. I did what I did. I didn’t it think it was something that ruled a suspension. I’ll get the opportunity to it again definitely.”

His reaction to the suspension: “I was surprised. I actually wasn’t even notified. I found out toward the evening when I was sleeping that there would be a suspension. It just shows you how soft the league has gotten, protecting young players. It’s not like it was when I came in this league.”

On whether he thinks the collision will trigger referees to watch Blake Griffin more closely: “No, not really, because he’s going to get away with it. I don’t have nothing against him being an aggressive big man. I don’t think I would have been suspended if there was a flagrant foul called on the court. Camby whacked someone in the face and he didn’t get suspended. The rules don’t apply to everyone.”

On whether he would have done it again knowing it would warrant suspension: “I took two shots. The referees didn’t call it on that end. I took two shots, then I gave a shot. I told the ref ‘we can call that even now.’ He didn’t make the call, and he was looking right at it.”

On whether the suspension was justified: “It wasn’t justified at all. If I was a dirty player that was looking to go out and hurt someone then I can understand ‘OK, this guy has a reputation.’ Back in the day, like John Stockton, tough minded player, some people thought he was dirty, he never got suspended for anything. The league has changed, they favor the young guys now and that’s just how it is.”

Matt Calkins can be contacted at 360-735-4528 or matt.calkins@columbian.com