Andre Miller = Steve Nash?

[mook]

Just occurred to me how similar the situation is between us adding Miller and Phoenix adding Steve Nash back in 2004.

Both moves were viewed as somewhat ho-hum free agent signings for good-but-not-elite aging point guards.

Both had really great track records of keeping healthy, although Miller has certainly been better than almost anyone.

Both guys (at least on paper) seem like really great fits for their new respective teams.

Both teams at that time were characterized as having a lot of promising young horses to ride, but not a lot of veteran leadership to guide them.

Miller is two years older than Nash was when he was traded.

I'm definitely not going to predict any NBA MVP in Miller's future. Heck, even an All Star appearance is a stretch, given how many good guards there are in the West.

At this stage of his career, he's often tagged as around the 9th-11th best PG in the league, and was paid accordingly. If Portland can win 60+ games, this would be the season where an aging PG has his perceived value vault way, way up.

I'm glad we've got him locked in at a pretty low price for three years.

 

[Rodolfo]

One thing is for sure, he's a HUGE upgrade over Sergio as a backup, if that's where he stays.

 

[NJNetz]

Relax guys. He isn't that good.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Actually I would compare it more to Denver adding Billups last year. A team with an established roster that adds a savvy vet pg that makes all the pieces fit together so much better.

 

[BTOWN_HUSTLA]

ANDRE MILLER IS THE GREATEST POINT GUARD IN TEH HISTORY OF TEH NBAZ!

 

[BTOWN_HUSTLA]

Actually I would compare it more to Denver adding Billups last year. A team with an established roster that adds a savvy vet pg that makes all the pieces fit together so much better.

except Billups has actually done something meaningful in the playoffs. (finals mvp, etc)

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Relax guys. He isn't that good.

Psst.... He doesn't have to be. But he is better than what we had.

 

[andalusian]

ANDRE MILLER IS THE GREATEST POINT GUARD IN TEH HISTORY OF TEH NBAZ!

Imaginary cap space my ass!

 

[SlyPokerDog]

except Billups has actually done something meaningful in the playoffs. (finals mvp, etc)

Damn it! I knew we should have tried to get Stockton to come out of retirement. Oh wait, he never won a ring or was a finals MVP. Wait, how about Magic Johnson?

 

[BTOWN_HUSTLA]

Damn it! I knew we should have tried to get Stockton to come out of retirement. Oh wait, he never won a ring or was a finals MVP. Wait, how about Magic Johnson?

I've been an Andre Miller fan for some time but to me, this is more of a Derek Anderson than a Steve Nash.

 

[Denny Crane]

Just occurred to me how similar the situation is between us adding Miller and Phoenix adding Steve Nash back in 2004.

Both moves were viewed as somewhat ho-hum free agent signings for good-but-not-elite aging point guards.

Both had really great track records of keeping healthy, although Miller has certainly been better than almost anyone.

Both guys (at least on paper) seem like really great fits for their new respective teams.

Both teams at that time were characterized as having a lot of promising young horses to ride, but not a lot of veteran leadership to guide them.

Miller is two years older than Nash was when he was traded.

I'm definitely not going to predict any NBA MVP in Miller's future. Heck, even an All Star appearance is a stretch, given how many good guards there are in the West.

At this stage of his career, he's often tagged as around the 9th-11th best PG in the league, and was paid accordingly. If Portland can win 60+ games, this would be the season where an aging PG has his perceived value vault way, way up.

I'm glad we've got him locked in at a pretty low price for three years.

Nothing like Nash. Nash was reluctantly given up by Dallas, who was cutting their massive payroll (they dumped Michael Finley, too). Phoenix traded away Joe Johnson and the pick that ended up being Luol Deng to make cap room for a MAX deal for Nash. He was known to be that good.

It doesn't look to me like Miller was Portland's first (or second or third) choice for a FA signing.

 

[Nikolokolus]

He's a cancer ...

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I've been an Andre Miller fan for some time but to me, this is more of a Derek Anderson than a Steve Nash.

Well if we are dead set on finding a comparison I think the effect that Billups had on Denver is the better example.

In my humble opinion, lol.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

Actually I would compare it more to Denver adding Billups last year. A team with an established roster that adds a savvy vet pg that makes all the pieces fit together so much better.

Agree with this here.

 

[GoBlazersGo]

Nothing like Nash. Nash was reluctantly given up by Dallas, who was cutting their massive payroll (they dumped Michael Finley, too). Phoenix traded away Joe Johnson and the pick that ended up being Luol Deng to make cap room for a MAX deal for Nash. He was known to be that good.

Ummm, no they didn't--Joe Johnson played in Phoenix 'til the end of the '04-'05 season. His last season in Phoenix was also Nash's first with the Suns.

It doesn't look to me like Miller was Portland's first (or second or third) choice for a FA signing.

The fact is, Andre Miller is an absolutely ENORMOUS upgrade over Sergio Rodriguez, no matter how you stack it.

 

[Natebishop3]

Ummm, no they didn't--Joe Johnson played in Phoenix 'til the end of the '04-'05 season. His last season in Phoenix was also Nash's first with the Suns.



The fact is, Andre Miller is an absolutely ENORMOUS upgrade over Sergio Rodriguez, no matter how you stack it.

Miller is an ENORMOUS upgrade over any point guard on this team.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

Miller is an ENORMOUS upgrade over any point guard on this team.

Yep. And he is educating some local sports people with his play. For example, before last night, I'm almost sure Quick was all about Blakey. START BLAKE. START BLAKE. After listening to him today on the BFT. I think his tone is changing on the point position.

 

[Natebishop3]

Yep. And he is educating some local sports people with his play. For example, before last night, I'm almost sure Quick was all about Blakey. START BLAKE. START BLAKE. After listening to him today on the BFT. I think his tone is changing on the point position.

It's just been so long since we've actually had a true point guard on this team, I think some of us have forgotten what one looks like. The last one was named Rod Strickland.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

It's just been so long since we've actually had a true point guard on this team, I think some of us have forgotten what one looks like. The last one was named Rod Strickland.

I haven't ever forgotten what one looks like. Andre is going to be great for this team. I think before this season is over with. He will have this offense running like a well oiled machine.

 

[southnc]

Just remember. Before being traded for AI, he (Miller) never got past the 1st round with a super talented (although thugget) Denver team. And that was with a coach similar to Nate.

Ironically, shortly after being traded for AI, Denver acquired another PG that most of you should be familiar with.

 

[GoBlazersGo]

Miller is an ENORMOUS upgrade over any point guard on this team.

Obviously... the point is, that we essentially traded Sergio Rodriguez for Andre Miller. So, say what you (not *you*, specifically) will about 'Dre, but nobody in their right mind would think that we got the short end of that (virtual) "trade." And, no, Maris doesn't count!

 

[GoBlazersGo]

Just remember. Before being traded for AI, he (Miller) never got past the 1st round with a super talented (although thugget) Denver team. And that was with a coach similar to Nate.

Absolutely, positively, 110% irrelevant.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

Just remember. Before being traded for AI, he (Miller) never got past the 1st round with a super talented (although thugget) Denver team. And that was with a coach similar to Nate.

Ironically, shortly after being traded for AI, Denver acquired another PG that most of you should be familiar with.

Yeah, but that Denver team lacked leadership and direction. This Portland team doesn't lack that. It, however, is a good point on Chauncey. His stick is bigger than that of Andre. But Denver needed that. Portland didn't need that with Andre.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Just remember. Before being traded for AI, he (Miller) never got past the 1st round with a super talented (although thugget) Denver team. And that was with a coach similar to Nate.

Ironically, shortly after being traded for AI, Denver acquired another PG that most of you should be familiar with.

Shortly after? You mean like two years?

 

[southnc]

Shortly after? You mean like two years?

No, they acquired Blake in a trade that year who, partnered with AI (moved to SG), got beat in the 1st round by a San Antonio team that went on win the Championship.

 

[Nikolokolus]

No, they acquired Blake in a trade that year who, partnered with AI (moved to SG), got beat in the 1st round by a San Antonio team that went on win the Championship.

I guess I thought you were referring to Billups

 

[southnc]

I guess I thought you were referring to Billups

Yes, I guess you could also see it that way.

Regardless, if Denver can't figure out a championship with the likes of Miller, AI, and Billups, then they are definitely a sorry organization. However, I think Billup's incredible experience just might be the ticket for them.

They will be a tough competitor for the Blazers this upcoming season, regardless of Miller or Blake starting.

 

[MARIS61]

The Miller to nash comparison is a huge failure.

Nash was still young and improving when traded, and became the league MVP in 2004 and again the next season.

Miller has been on a downturn for 3 years, and will never be confused with the best player in the league.

They're as alike as Michael Jordan and Sam Cassell.

 

[Natebishop3]

The Miller to nash comparison is a huge failure.

Nash was still young and improving when traded, and became the league MVP in 2004 and again the next season.

Miller has been on a downturn for 3 years, and will never be confused with the best player in the league.

They're as alike as Michael Jordan and Sam Cassell.

Nash was a product of the SSOL system. He was the same damn player that he was in Dallas. He did not improve. He couldn't play a lick of defense in Dallas, and he still can't play defense. Dallas let him go because the guy couldn't win in the playoffs. He had a history of playing well during the regular season, but choking come playoff time.

 

[GoBlazersGo]

The Miller to nash comparison is a huge failure.

Nash was still young and improving when traded, and became the league MVP in 2004 and again the next season.

Miller has been on a downturn for 3 years, and will never be confused with the best player in the league.

They're as alike as Michael Jordan and Sam Cassell.

Speaking of "failure"...