Harold Miner

Harold Miner pulls up in a black Cadillac Escalade, rolls down a window and extends his right hand to greet a visitor. Later, the publicity-shy former USC basketball All-American is friendly and engaging. He shows no sign of discomfort as he recalls the pain of failed expectations and explains why he has mostly strayed from the public eye since his surprisingly unremarkable NBA career short-circuited 15 years ago. Smiling and laughing easily, he appears thoroughly at ease. This is a recluse?

As USC's basketball practice finished Friday, an unfamiliar face joined the players in a huddle. Trojans Coach Kevin O'Neill introduced the man as the greatest player in the program's history. "I want you all to meet Harold Miner," he said. Miner's No. 23 jersey will be retired at Sunday's USC-UCLA game at the Galen Center. A large photo of him already hangs in the corner of the practice arena. "I really miss being around the game," Miner said later. "I've been away for a long time.

As USC's basketball practice finished Friday, an unfamiliar face joined the players in a huddle. Trojans Coach Kevin O'Neill introduced the man as the greatest player in the program's history. "I want you all to meet Harold Miner," he said. Miner's No. 23 jersey will be retired at Sunday's USC-UCLA game at the Galen Center. A large photo of him already hangs in the corner of the practice arena. "I really miss being around the game," Miner said later. "I've been away for a long time.

No one had to explain it to Rory McIlroy — he understood the significance of the moment. The 22-year-old from Northern Ireland had just won the U.S. Open, capturing his first major, and already his name was being mentioned in the same breath as Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. McIlroy had become the Next Big Thing. "When you win a major quite early in your career, everyone is going to draw comparisons," he told reporters. "It's natural. " Modern sport thrives on star power, feeding off those rarified athletes who come along once a generation or so, talented and successful enough to become icons.

Regarding Mike Downey's article of Dec. 30 ("A Basketball Historian Makes USC History"): In October, my 11-year-old son came home and told me that "some USC basketball player" was going to speak to the fifth-grade students at his school. Coming from a family of UCLA supporters, his reaction was about the same as when I tell him to clean his room so he will enjoy being in it more. The basketball player spent nearly two hours at the school. He emphasized that reading could help the students learn a great deal about sports and other topics, and that it could be exciting entertainment.

Having just read Mark Heisler's article on Harold Miner (Dec. 13), I am filled with disgust for Kevin Loughery and the management of the Miami Heat. Harold Miner is a tremendous offensive player and, contrary to your article, now plays pretty good defense. It is unfortunate that he has to play with such a lame-brained coach. In a time when reporters complain about all the arrogant young stars, Harold is an example of what happens to the nice guys. He should ask politely to be traded and get the hell away from Loughery.

When he was bored as a youngster, Harold Miner used to open the encyclopedia, put his finger on a page and browse through the entries. He must have spent a lot of time on the "B" volume--the volume with the heading basketball in it. Because even though Miner is just 16, the junior from Inglewood High School has a sense on the basketball court far beyond his years. His coach, Vince Combs, says Miner's mature, poised game is more efficient than it is flamboyant.

As teen-age boys are sometime wont to do, Harold Miner and Tommy Holland were horsing around one afternoon in the front room of Miner's mother's Inglewood home. They were wrestling and tackling each other trying to get an advantage, but neither could get the upper hand. Soon the roughhousing, although still playful and friendly, got a bit out of hand and the boys sent each other flying into the patio window, cracking and splitting it into pieces.

Nicknamed Baby Jordan, USC freshman guard Harold Miner went one-on-one against Michael Jordan four years ago. Miner was selected for this honor because he was the best player in a basketball camp. They played to five baskets, winner's outs, and Jordan let Miner have the ball to start the game. After taking a 4-0 lead, Miner became delirious. "I thought I would win the game easily," he said. Think again.

Harold Miner, a 6-foot 4-inch guard from Inglewood High School, signed a letter of intent to play basketball at USC next season.

Harold Miner pulls up in a black Cadillac Escalade, rolls down a window and extends his right hand to greet a visitor. Later, the publicity-shy former USC basketball All-American is friendly and engaging. He shows no sign of discomfort as he recalls the pain of failed expectations and explains why he has mostly strayed from the public eye since his surprisingly unremarkable NBA career short-circuited 15 years ago. Smiling and laughing easily, he appears thoroughly at ease. This is a recluse?

Kevin O'Neill can do Sunday what Tim Floyd never could -- coach USC to a victory over UCLA in the Galen Center. . . . Nearly 3 1/2 years since the building opened amid much fanfare in October 2006, Ben Howland and UCLA still have not lost there. . . . As long as Lamar Odom continues playing at a high level, what difference does it make whether he's a starter or a sub? . . . Even as half an All-Star, as Chris Kaman described his recent selection as an injury replacement, it's rare for a Clipper to be picked for the All-Star game.

USC would love to honor Harold Miner, its all-time scoring leader in men's basketball. The Trojans would love to post Miner's considerable accomplishments on the Galen Center scoreboard -- All-American, 23.5-point scoring average, Sports Illustrated national player of the year, 4-2 record against UCLA -- and trot him out to center court so a capacity crowd could shower him with applause. If only they could find him.

Brian Williams was 10 for 10 from the field en route to 21 points and 10 rebounds Wednesday night as the Clippers beat the Dallas Mavericks, 112-91, in an exhibition game at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Ky. Williams, who played 28 minutes, scored 10 points in the third quarter. Loy Vaught added 17 points for the Clippers. The Clippers, who shot 64.5% from the field, led, 100-74, their largest lead of the game, with 6:13 remaining. Jimmy Jackson led Dallas with 12 points.

Having just read Mark Heisler's article on Harold Miner (Dec. 13), I am filled with disgust for Kevin Loughery and the management of the Miami Heat. Harold Miner is a tremendous offensive player and, contrary to your article, now plays pretty good defense. It is unfortunate that he has to play with such a lame-brained coach. In a time when reporters complain about all the arrogant young stars, Harold is an example of what happens to the nice guys. He should ask politely to be traded and get the hell away from Loughery.

Sometimes Harold Miner merely wants to be normal. He doesn't want to be a prisoner to his dream any more. He doesn't have to be "Baby Jordan." He won a dunk contest and it didn't change his life. He certainly doesn't need another night coming off Kevin Loughery's bench, or walking into an empty house a continent away from Inglewood and home. He thought about it last season when four Miami Heat guards played more than he did.

Harold Miner of USC, the 12th player picked in the NBA draft, signed a long-term contract with the Miami Heat. According to published reports, the Heat's offer was a five-year, $7.3-million deal. Miner, 21, led the Pacific 10 Conference in scoring last year with an average of 26.3 points.

There was good news and bad news about the USC-Florida State basketball game. The bad news: USC lost. The good news: Harold Miner (if he is smart) will not turn pro next year. GARY A. ROBB Los Angeles

Here's one USC basketball fan who was happy to see George Raveling go. George took over a promising program and proceeded to go 115-118, despite schedules full of Houston Baptists and Tennessee Martins. Other than a few bright spots courtesy of Harold Miner and an ability to beat UCLA, he accomplished virtually nothing. There's no doubt he's a heck of a guy, but as a basketball coach he left a lot to be desired. I'm sure fans at Iowa and Washington State would agree. ROB OSBORNE Redondo Beach

There never was anyone like Harold Miner nor have there been many rookie seasons like his. Miner, a young man inclined to give thanks for his blessings, is simply thankful he has to go through it only once. Between dreams come true, he has been snubbed in the draft and buried on the Miami bench, from which he still rises only intermittently. He returns to the Sports Arena tonight to play the Clippers, still smiling, a year older, several wiser. Peaks and valleys? He's had a few.