Meanwhile, his competition is learning how to play with Oden in Tualatin, while Miller takes it easy for the summer.
Of course, we heard last offseason that Blake was working out with Oden, and the chemistry they were developing, and how excited Blake was to work with him, and we saw that work out just wonderfully in the regular season.
I'm just pointing out where the two challengers for the PG spot are right now. Are you saying not working out with him is a better option?
Andre Miller has logged 29,000 career NBA minutes (reg/playoffs) in 840 games. Steve Blake has logged 11,000 minutes in 434 games. So Miller has played in nearly twice as many games and logged nearly three times as many minutes. If I were Miller, I'd take it easy. If I were Blake, I'd be working my ass off.
Where they are right now is that Miller will be better at getting the ball to Oden where he can do something with it the very first day they step on the floor together than Blake was on his best day last season. Miller has been in the league for 10 years. He has had seasons where he played at a near all-star level. Miller knows how to play Point Guard. It was reported that he has already studied film of all the Blazers players; that he knocked Nate's socks off in the interview discussing how he'd improve the play of our current players. I alluded to it in another thread, but I'm perfectly fine with Miller resting his body for the grueling regular season and the long run in the playoffs that he should be anticipating this year. In fact, in his case, I encourage it. I understand worrying about a guy's work ethic, but I don't think Miller's past performance warrants it. From all appearances, the man is all business.
This is true. I think you're forgetting/ignoring that Oden started. After he was injured and recovered, Pryzbilla still had his starting spot. I believe Batum didn't start the first two games? It would surprise me if Blake didn't start the first 5 games only to relinquish the spot to Miller.
I'm not saying that NOT working out is better. All I'm saying is we heard about Blake working out with Oden last summer, and expected good things from it, and didn't really see the payoff from those workouts. Unless that was the payoff, and they just have no chemistry together. I have no doubt Miller will win the starting job from Blake, and be a better option at that slot for us.
Doesn't matter who starts. It matters who gets the big minutes. I'd honestly rather have Blake start so that we don't have to suffer through a Blake/Rudy off the bench together situation. Blake's time is best spent with Roy. I think Miller will be effective no matter who is on the floor. I suspect he'll play around 26+ minutes a game starting or off the bench so why not keep the 18+minutes Blake is going to be out there effective by leaving him with Roy?
It absolutely matters who starts. Every NBA team wants to establish the pace of the game early. Nate claims, every year, he wants the Blazers to push the ball more. Blake can't do it and Miller is one of the better PG's at doing it.
He's also won exactly the same number of playoff series as Steve Blake. I'm not sure how that means what he has done in the past has benefited his teams come playoff time. If I were Miller, I'd realize I have a few years left and be doing all I could to learn my new team and how the players play on the court. If I were Blake, I'd be doing exactly what Blake is doing.