Early 90s. All the recruiters on the planet try in vain to find the new Michael Jordan. A college player looks a lot like him. Tongue hanging out, red jersey and No. 23. Well, there are quite a few who try to imitate the Master. Where it becomes truly original is that our man is nicknamed “Baby Jordan”.
Thus begins the fabulous story of an American kid born on May 5, 1971, 500 m from the Inglewood Forum, the venue which will see the showtime version of the Lakers shine. A few meters from the new Clippers room. Everything brought him closer to the Californian team. But he now looks like two smashes like Michael Jordan. Ah, we almost forgot: the person concerned is called Harold Miner (1.96 m, 95 kg). “There is no one better than Michael. Playing with him later would be great. »
He dreams of it and he believes in it, young Harold. This left-handed shooting guard idolizes Jordan to the point of adopting all of his tics, his mannerisms, his gait and even his hair “cut”. “I don’t even realize it. People think I'm copying him but that's not true, I'm just trying to be the best by being myself. »
Just like Michael. Or almost…
Harold is off to a good start. He speaks almost like His Majesty. Its “Baby Jordan” label is not usurped. Pinch yourself, you're not dreaming. There is real “MJ” in Miner’s game, capable of catching fire and crashing in all positions. Harold is a true academic star. Upon leaving high school, Inglewood High School, he was contacted by the most prestigious colleges. In high school, Miner averaged 29 points and 10 rebounds. This allows you to choose your future training. His preference? North Carolina. Well, well… Like Michael.
The recruitment was to take place when the assistant coach at the time, Roy Williams, packed his bags for Kansas. Bad luck, Kansas is suspended for the final tournament. Harold therefore enrolled at Southern California University, near his home. The college coach is none other than the famous George Ravelling. “Harold is the player I had the hardest time recruiting »confides this one. “ If North Carolina hadn't hesitated, he would be playing for the Tar Heels. »
Standing at 1.96 m tall, “Baby Jordan” began his third season in Californian colors in 1991. The previous year, he allowed his team to compete, for the first time in six years, in the NCAA final tournament. He is then on track to beat the record for points scored by Sean Elliott, the star winger of the San Antonio Spurs, in the Pac 10 Conference. Miner is a hell of an outside shooter. He is also a fabulous offensive creator. But above all it is a breathtaking smasher. Like “Air”. “God blessed me »he said. “ It gave me creativity and incredible relaxation. Smasher is a relief for me. I love going up to the ceiling and tearing the circle apart. » “I believe the sky is the limit »adds his coach. “ He must now learn to defend well and think about rebounding. »
His favorite dunk? The “cup dunk”: a run-up, a spin, the ball stuck between the left hand and the wrist, a small windmill movement, all if possible on the head of a defender. Ouch! Former Notre Dame coach Digger Phelps sees him as a future NBA legend:” He will become L'one of the greatest scorers in basketball pro ever known”…
As a teenager, Harold Miner challenges Michael Jordan in a one-on-one match!
The funny thing is that Harold has already met his idol. He even had a “one on one” with Jordan. Six years earlier, during a summer camp, Miner finished as the best intern in the class. Supreme reward, Michael offered him a face-to-face meeting. The first to five baskets wins. ” Be the first to… “
Miner doesn't give up and scores the first four. A shot from heaven. On his fifth attempt, Jordan countered and smashed in the process. Michael unfolds. Miner cannot prevent His Majesty from winning this little duel. In the early 90s, Jordan no longer remembers this young player exactly. “I would like to find him and tell him to be himself”declares the League's top scorer.
Miner has the gift of getting noticed. There is his look, his game but also behavior that is bizarre to say the least. So, Harold has a nasty habit of sticking his nose everywhere. Not an object escapes the detection of its nostrils. “I don’t sniff but I love to touch with my nose. It’s weird, I grant you! »
“Baby Jordan” also likes to snap his fingers, talk to himself and stroke the wooden floors with his hand before playing. Before each free throw, he caresses the ball, hidden behind his back. Madness or superstition? His mother analyzes his behavior: “Harold may seem eccentric but he wants to be the best.”
So, when will Michael and Harold reunite under the same jersey? ” I don't know “replies Miner. “I am sure I have all the qualities to succeed in the NBA. But I have to prepare. I reason year after year. I do as I feel. »
Nothing, obviously, will go as planned. During his junior season, in 1992 (his last in college), the story took off. The American weekly “Sports Illustrated” made him its university player of the year, at the expense of Shaquille O'Neal and Alonzo Mourning (Christian Laettner and Tom Gugliotta are from the same class). The Trojans enter the NCAA Tournament with the No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region (Kansas is first).
12th pick of the Draft
In the second round, it's drama… Georgia Tech eliminates USC (79-78) on a buzzer-winning shot from James Forrest which remains one of the most epic exploits of “March Madness”. Proof of the mistrust to which he is now subject, Miner is retained in twelfth position in the draft, behind the four players mentioned above but also Jim Jackson, LaPhonso Ellis, Clarence Weatherspoon and Robert Horry, who precedes him by one rank. . Drop-off point: Miami.
During his rookie season in Florida, Miner barely exceeded the 10 points average (10.3). Difficult to exist behind two triggers like Glen Rice and Steve Smith. Harold was invited to the Slam Dunk Contest in Salt Lake City in 1993. Shawn Kemp, injured (but only sixth in the competition the previous year), had to withdraw. Cedric Ceballos, winner in 1992, finished third and lost his crown to the back of the Heat, barely worried by Clarence Weatherspoon.
In 1995 in Phoenix, Miner faced the same challenge: beating the outgoing champion, in this case Isaiah Rider. He beat the Minnesota winger in the first round as well as in the final (46 pts against 34) and therefore achieved the double two years apart.
A cursed nickname
But in Miami, his situation is hardly changing. That season, he even dropped to 7.3 points (45 matches). Harold's dunking skills are unanimous. Out of this register, it does not convince at all. His coaches, Kevin Loughery and Alvin Gentry, simply don't believe in him. The first, little sensitive to his showmanship, directly calls into question his basketball IQ, in addition to his defense… Miner carries his double label like a burden, that of marsipulami and that of successor to the King. George Ravelling, his coach at USC, says nothing else: “I think the worst thing that ever happened to HaroldUltimately, was to inherit this nickname, Baby Jordan…”
On June 14, 1995, Miner was sent to Cleveland for a second round draft pick. Terrell Brandon, Danny Ferry, Dan Majerle, Bobby Phills and other Chris Mills will be invited to the playoffs but Harold will not participate in the party. With his 19 matches, 7.2 minutes and 3.2 points on average, he is at the level of John Crotty…
On October 18, Cleveland tried to ship him back to Toronto but Victor Alexander failed medical tests. Miner, injured in the knee, played his last NBA game in February 1996. Five miserable minutes in a 26-point loss against Chicago… The new Jordan is handsome!
Cut to Ohio on August 8, he tried his luck with the Raptors but was let go during the preseason. Haro on Harold… What to do? Begging for a freelance job in a Minor League? Try the European adventure? Nothing of that. Disgusted with the game, the Inglewood native put an end to his professional career altogether. Mediatically too, he is retiring. No interviews, no public appearances, except in 2012 when his college retired his jersey. The opportunity to look back on his career, missed… “I simply believe that I have not been able to live up to my ambitions. »
Professionally, Harold Miner places his marbles in stone in Las Vegas. Oh, not the money collected in the NBA: during his four-year career, he would not have even amassed 7.3 million dollars…
Harold David Miner? A disappointed hope. Like so many others. Take a look at the list of Slam Dunk Contest winners, there are quite a few. For a Kobe Bryant, a Vince Carter, a Dwight Howard or a Donovan Mitchell, how many crazy dunkers who crashed in style, like Isaiah Rider, Fred Jones, Desmond Mason or Harold Miner?
Prize list
Slam Dunk Contest winner: 1993, 95
Highlights from his rookie year
The 1995 dunk contest
| Harold Miner | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 1992-93 | MIA | 73 | 19 | 47.5 | 33.3 | 76.2 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 10.3 |
| 1993-94 | MIA | 63 | 22 | 47.7 | 66.7 | 82.8 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 10.5 |
| 1994-95 | MIA | 45 | 19 | 40.3 | 28.6 | 72.6 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 0.1 | 7.3 |
| 1995-96 | KEY | 19 | 7 | 44.2 | 20.0 | 100.0 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 3.2 |
| Total | 200 | 19 | 46.0 | 31.1 | 78.5 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 9.0 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
