National Basketball Association

Cavs' Miller says LeBron, others already 'putting in work'

Published Sep. 5, 2014 7:06 p.m. ET

foxsports

MENTOR, Ohio -- Mike Miller is learning what it's like to be a member of the new Cavaliers, and no less than LeBron James is leading the way.

Miller said he and other Cavs (including James) have been hanging out at the team's practice facility, preparing for what they expect to be a banner year. Actually, Miller didn't define it as "hanging out." It was more like "putting in work."

"We're down at the practice facility every day," Miller told FOX Sports Ohio on Friday. "We're getting it in. We had more guys show up this past week and it feels great."

Miller was speaking from the BurgerFi location in Mentor. He was there to christen his new burger, known as "The Mike Miller 3-Point Special." Needless to say, it consists of three patties -- symbolizing Miller's forte from behind the arc.

And needless to say, it's a lot easier to get your own burger when you've won championships (with the Miami Heat) and have played alongside James (ditto).

Like James, Miller came to the Cavs in free agency. Granted, Miller's signing didn't make quite the splash of the guy who's won four NBA MVPs -- but Miller, 34, is a veteran shooter who's "been there." He's won big and he knows his role.

When you're talking about an otherwise young team with the likes of Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters and others ... well, Miller's experience is vital. Last season, the 6-foot-8 swingman averaged 7.1 points in all 82 regular-season games with Memphis.

He came off the bench then and is likely to do it again this season under new Cavs coach David Blatt.

Along with James, Miller and the others, the Cavs recently welcomed three-time All-Star Kevin Love. Shawn Marion is coming, too. Ray Allen might. This team is stacked.

"On paper, we look really, really good," Miller said. But he also admitted that alone isn't always enough.

"The history of the NBA has shown us, that it's not always the best talent that wins (a championship)," he said. "It's gonna take a lot of variables and things falling into place, and we have to work."

Right now, again, work is exactly what many of the Cavs have already begun at Cleveland Clinic Courts. Yes, that includes James.

"LeBron's really been putting in the work," Miller said. "It's been awesome to see. He's won MVP after MVP and championships, yet he's still committed. It makes it exciting for all of us. He's excited about being back, excited about having an opportunity to play (for the Cavs) again. It's fun to see his commitment level right now."

Miller also knows that a player such as James (and Love and Irving, etc.) are reasons to believe great things should be on the way.

"Having a LeBron James on your team really puts you into position to win a championship. That's very rare," Miller said. "To me, there's a handful of guys in this league that can immediately put you in position for a championship. He is definitely one of them and he's proven that."