Miller a solid addition in Portland
The Portland Trail Blazers won’t be on anybody’s short list of main NBA title contenders, but in signing Andre Miller, they have become a better team.
Possibly a much better one.
The Trail Blazers have added a veteran player who is a much-needed component to a young team.
Can Miller take the Trail Blazers to the next level? That’s a difficult question because he has always been a starting guard on some good but not great teams, so it’s hard to tell.
As one scout said, “He won’t play any defense, but he knows how to run a team.”
And a young team like Portland can greatly use his savvy and unselfish nature.
The skeptics will question the fact that Miller is 33-years-old and isn’t considered among the better athletes playing the point guard position.
That could be true, but he has an old-school game, one that is less likely to deteriorate with age. He has never relied on speed to blow by defenders because he never had much to begin with, yet Miller simply knows how to run an offense and find the open man.
In the last two years he became more of a scorer in Philadelphia because he sensed the 76ers needed his offense. This past season he averaged 16.5 points after averaging a career-high 17.0 in 2007-2008. Not so coincidentally, the 76ers made the playoffs in each of the past two years.
Miller also proved to be one of the top point guards at posting up and it showed the versatility of his game. Miller is proficient shooting off the dribble, and is capable of driving to the basket and drawing fouls. He’s also has a career .802 free throw percentage shooter.
Miller is difficult to get to know personally because he keeps to himself, but that shouldn’t suggest that he doesn’t connect with his teammates.
There was no player who was more respected by his teammates on the 76ers than Miller. He played with a calm confidence, never cared about statistics and always showed up for work.
Miller has played in 530 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NBA and he has missed just three games in 10 NBA seasons.
Critics also point out that he isn’t much of a three-point shooter and the facts bear that out. Miller is a 21 percent career three-point shooter but he doesn’t take that many shots from beyond the arc.
Last season Miller attempted just 53 three pointers.
He comes to a Portland team that has plenty of young talent. The Trail Blazers need somebody to guide this young group and it says here that the players will truly appreciate what he brings to the team.
Brandon Roy will love playing off the ball, knowing that Miller will find him for quality open shots. If LaMarcus Aldridge posts up, Miller will get him the ball in the most opportune of spots.
Greg Oden, whose offensive game is a work in progress, will get easy baskets as a benefit of playing with Miller.
Miller averaged 6.5 assists last year and likely would have averaged more if the Sixers had a better post-up game.
In addition, Miller will bring a professional attitude to the team, a no-nonsense performer who comes early to practice, leaves late and has a basketball IQ that is off the charts.
Are there negatives?
Well, Miller wouldn’t have been available for this long if there weren’t. As the scout said, Miller will never be a member of the All-Defensive Team. He has trouble guarding quick point guards off the dribble, but then again, who doesn’t?
Portland will need to play good help defense, but Miller’s offensive contributions more than negate this situation.
For those who worry about Miller slowing down and the fact that he will turn 34 in March, it has to be pointed out that he had two of his best seasons over the last two years in Philadelphia. And he’s coming off a playoff series against Orlando where he averaged a career-best 21.2 points in the six-game loss.
It’s true that Miller has never played on a team that advanced past the first round of the playoffs. It can also be argued that he never played on a team that has the type of young talent that Portland possesses.
Nothing against Steve Blake, who did a serviceable job last season at point guard, but Miller is an upgrade.
Portland, which lost to Houston in the first round of the playoffs, is a better team with Miller. How much better remains to be seen, but he can be a difference maker for a Portland team that will greatly benefit from his leadership, his professional attitude and most importantly his play on the court.
Rod (Blazers Roy) Said,
July 25, 2009 @ 9:06 am
yea, he is a nice addition but as you’ve said - it won’t make Portland a contender.
I would be much happier if KP waited to spend this money on next year’s free agents…we don’t need anymore “starters” - we need someone like D-Wade and win the title already.
Alex B. Said,
July 25, 2009 @ 10:14 am
http://thebestnbablog.blogspot.com
reaction to the Miller signing and the infamous video of LeBron getting dunked on
S2sly Said,
July 25, 2009 @ 11:45 am
Miller and Blake is a problem. Yes, Miller adds the crafty point guard dimension and Blake can hit the 3, but neither is quick enough to handle the young poin guards of the league. One of them has to go in a trade. Blazers need Bayless to step up and play under control because he is the one guy quick and stong enough to defend any point guard. Another thin that worries me just a little, Miller is sometimes a pounder with the ball. Having watched BRoy all through college and in the NBA I think he happens to be most effective with the ball, not off the ball. He makes winning plays with the ball. Its nice that he will get some more open looks but Miller will also have to adjust to play off the ball.
Don Said,
July 25, 2009 @ 12:11 pm
The Blazers won’t be on anybody’s short list of main NBA title contendors? I think they’re as good as anyone, including LA, SAS Orlando or Cleveland.
Consider…
1. This young team won 54 games last year. By virtue of simply growing one year more experienced, they are a much better team.
2. Martell Webster coming back makes Portland a better team. He could potentially make them a much better team.
3. You’re right about Oden. His offensive game isn’t going to be threatening any scoring titles. Yet at the same time, if he becomes a consistent defensive force, stays out of foul trouble (and remains healthy) and rebounds, he will accomplish exactly what this team needs from him. Oh, and he will average 15, 11 and 2 - not too bad. (He nearly had that last year over 30 minutes. People just don’t realize how effective he was when he was in the game.) Did I mention how the coaches, players and media have been pleasantly surprised at the USA minicamp at his progress from just a few months ago?
4. Andre Miller is indeed an upgrade, but the upgrade is over Sergio Rodriguez. Last year the PGs were Blake/Rodriguez. This year they’re Miller/Blake. That is an even bigger upgrade.
This is a young team who, if they don’t win at least 62 games next season, will be considered as underacheiving. And last year they played LAL to a standstill. I’m just sayin’…the NBA is about to see how good this team is now.
steve kohn Said,
July 25, 2009 @ 1:31 pm
Now they need to get abackup power forward with some toughness like David Lee. Blake and one of their young small forwards could work in asign and trade.
Bob Loblaw Said,
July 25, 2009 @ 3:27 pm
Nice article, seems to be better writing than most of the crap articles that are on this site, generally by Eddie Johnson.
Anyway, Miller is obviously an upgrade, but he isn’t going to make as big of an impact as this article might advocate. Blake was an excellent 3pt shooter and made spacing on that team very difficult, since roy would really run the point and that is the system he is the best at. Roy off-the-ball isn’t going to be as good of a player, especially team player, he might just be able to score more, but the offense won’t be as good. Miller will facilitate the offense, but he is a liability in many other ways, and there is a reason why the Cavs, Clippers, Nuggets and 76ers didn’t try very hard to retain his services, he is a good stat guy, but not a winner.
Austin Said,
July 25, 2009 @ 5:50 pm
We wouldn’t be able to sign anyone in that 2010 free agent class. Once Roy and Aldridge are extended we lose all cap space. As of now, they are on the last year of their rookie scale contracts, but once extended any flexibility we would have had in 2010 will be gone. Its worth it though, we need Roy and Aldridge.
MGB Said,
July 25, 2009 @ 11:04 pm
Another player that should benefit with Miller playing PG is Rudy. He’s always moving without the ball and Miller will make sure he’s rewarded for doing so.
Brian Said,
July 26, 2009 @ 1:47 am
Rod,
The Blazers couldn’t have saved their cap space for next year’s free agent market. That space was only available until the trade deadline. Then it would have gone away.
Portland still has a trade exception they can use to pick up a role player or make a trade more lopsided than it might otherwise have been. But essentially, their choice was to either sign a free agent this off-season or make a trade before February. Barring some trade that brings them expiring contracts, they won’t be a free agent player next year, Andre Miller or not.
Stephen Janetzki Said,
July 26, 2009 @ 2:48 am
The Trail Blazers just got a hell of a lot better. They truly are two deep at every single position with Miller and Blake in the back court.
Blake is the perfect first guard off of the bench and with a second unit of Joel Przybilla, Travis Outlaw, Nicolas Batum, Rudy Fernandez and Blake they can run teams into the ground while giving the starters extended periods on the pine.
An excellent pick up for the Blazers. I believe the Blazers are now truly the deepest team in the NBA.
Antony Sanchez Said,
July 26, 2009 @ 3:23 am
I am not too big of a fan for the Miller signing simply because KP spent it just too spend it. They would have been better off waiting until the season started to get a steal from a team needing cap relief (they would have been able to absorb salary). Plus, and most importantly of all. What does this mean to Bayless? Is he still untouchable?
longdawg Said,
July 26, 2009 @ 7:58 am
Miller will be perfect for Portland’s second unit which has an abundance of outside shooters. Not, so much on the first unit where his threat to penetrate and lack of outside shooting will only cause defenses to pack the lane and leave no room for Roy to operate. With Blakes’ excellent three point shooting (140 made threes at .427) , the Blazers could spread defenses. He is a prime target for kick outs from Roy..
yeder Said,
July 26, 2009 @ 3:25 pm
I love it!!! Every one is right. Its going to be a roller coaster ride of a season.
frank B Said,
July 27, 2009 @ 11:28 am
As a Lakers fan, I like this acquisition.
Andre Miller is a decent player, but he has to be on the ball to be effective on offense and he doesn’t cover anyone on defense. Steve Blake can be quite effective spotting up for jumpshots so personally I’m glad to see him sitting down.
Rodriguez was kind of a wild card type player, not consistent but he did have some skills on offense and foot speed for the fast break that Miller will not be able to duplicate.
Brandon Roy will have the ball less, which is great news for Lakers fans! Now Fisher will cover the one guy in the league that is slower than he is, Mr. Miler!
Don’t forget that Andre used to be a Clipper so we have watched his game from up close.
We were worried that Portland might sign someone good, what a relief!
space Said,
July 27, 2009 @ 3:07 pm
even if this magically translates to regular season wins [which i doubt]. it will be a post-season 1st round and done. miller goes from a team that lacked three point shooters to create enough space on the floor to another team with the same problem. oden will continue to be ineffective. blake at least stretched the floor and got the ball to open men. blake has always seemed like a back-up point guard because of the teams that he has been on.
they didn’t do as well last year as martell was out ALL season and outlaw & oden were out for a stretch as well. as good a coach as macmillan is, they don’t have a team identity yet and that’s what kills them down the stretch. look for roy to bail them out again a few times this season… sigh….
and get new uniforms. seriously.
HC Said,
July 27, 2009 @ 10:42 pm
Miller will help this young Portland team a lot.
I always like Miller’s game, not very flashy but solid as rock. What his carrer stats fail to show is his ability to lift his game when required. I think he was NBA assist leader for a season, and he also scored a lot another season. He will never be a great fantasy PG (due to lack of 3s), but he may do what Billups did at Denver last season. He will make the Blazers “play like a team”.
Blahla laughing vampires dance Said,
July 28, 2009 @ 12:04 am
Listen up ya man, da blazers smoing da trees be da team to rouse da pon. Dae got Roy who be the next clutch legend in da game and he alone make dem a threat. Watch em improve dis year to supasta status mon! Other den dat, bein 2 deep at evry position dont matter if you aint got a bloody star to compliment ROY. I see da Treeblazers eling off half da team to get Amare or someone inside det can bang from ROY’s distributon ya heard
Jamar Said,
July 29, 2009 @ 4:53 pm
***** Terrific addition for Portland. Would have loved this 3, even 4 years ago for Portland even more. However, nevertheless it still comes at a very opportune time for the young and exciting Blazers.
The Blazers need a floor general an extension of coach Nate McMillan on the floor.. Andre Miller provides that. He’s a guy that will be able to get 14, 8 and 5 with consistency while running a team and helping free some of the better spot-up shooters open looks.
Miller’s lack of defensive prowess is a tad overblown. He’s not a very good defender, but he can certainly play servicable defense. I’ve watched him grow in that are under Mo Cheeks tenure in Philly. McMillan will emphasize defense. And Miller needs to only play 33-35 effective mins a night because they trust their backup PGs (Blake & Rodriguez) to pick up the slack for the other 13-15 mins between them.
If Oden can gain more confidence and be the defensive game-changer they need in the middle.. and provide 12 and 9 every night with 2 or 3 key blocks.. the Blazers will be outstanding next year. Roy and Aldridge are the real deal and they are fast becoming one of the most lethal young 1-2 punches in the sports world.
1) Lakers 2) Spurs 3) Blazers are the elite in the West and it will be a dogfight to see who gets a crack at LA in the WCF.
Eric Said,
August 11, 2009 @ 1:42 pm
Sergio Rodriguez was traded to the kings with cash for nothing. Jared Bayless is the 3rd string PG now.