"A month ago, I was ready to declare the Trail Blazers' signing of guard Andre Miller last summer a mistake.

And if everyone can be honest for a minute, so too were some pretty big names within the organization.

Management wondered if Miller's introverted nature would fit the Blazers' culture. There were concerns among the coaching staff whether Miller was a cancer. And there were doubts among the players whether his style would fit what the Blazers needed.

Even Miller wondered if this was the right place for him.

But after a 30-minute argument with coach Nate McMillan on Jan.7, we have witnessed one of the greatest about-faces by a player in team history.

With a new attitude off the court, and a new approach on it, Miller in January has exhibited the best point guard play Portland has seen since Rod Strickland was shaking and baking his way to 20-assist games in the mid-1990s.

In January, Miller is averaging 19.5 points, 7.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds and is shooting 51.3 percent. He has done it with such style, tenacity and guile that I would venture he has vaulted alongside Brandon Roy as the team's most popular players among Blazers Nation.

In fact, Miller has been so good recently that general manager Kevin Pritchard on Saturday made this declaration:"