Dre, the right vet

[Further]

In last game, when Armon was killing it in the game, Andre was up off the bench cheering and yelling encouragement to Armon. And when Nate was going to pull out Armon at his high point, Miller told Nate to leave Armon in.

I was impressed by Armon last night, but I was even more impressed with the team mentality and mentorship displayed by Dre.

Honestly, I have been down on Miller due to his issues with Roy, and also the fact that he has been so quiet, I kind of took that as uninvolved or selfish. But the display last night certainly made me look the fool. Andre was completely selfless and was exactly what I like to see from a vet.

 

[andalusian]

I have not seen the game - but I agree, I think Dre is working much better in the team concept this year and the fact that he came into camp in much better shape is a big deal. Good on him, good for the Blazers.

 

[RR7]

Great, Andre having more disagreements with the coaching now? /green font

 

[HailBlazers]

I kind of took that as uninvolved or selfish. But the display last night certainly made me look the fool. Andre was completely selfless and was exactly what I like to see from a vet.

This is why people around here shouldn't attempt to judge a player by his body language, you never really know what's going on in a man's head.

Great Post, Repped. Dre is the man, I hope we don't trade him. He's solid, clutch, and a great defender.

 

[alex42083]

Yeah, I don't think many 10-plus year veterans would give way to a rookie -- much less a second-round pick -- in the fourth quarter when the coach asked them to go in. Andre's quietly had a pretty solid season so far with 12.4 ppg and 7.4 apg. He deserves some credit for hanging in there, especially after what happened at the beginning of last year.

 

[Weav]

... and a great defender.

I dig Dre, and his game, but calling him a great defender is like calling TrOut a great rebounder....I'm calling bravo sierra on that

 

[Minstrel]

Miller was a good defender, when he was younger. Now he's lost a step, so he's pretty suspect in man defense. He's still a very canny team defender.

 

[THE HCP]

He still better then 60% of the PG's in the league and I love his game. Can't shoot to save his life and still gets it done!

 

[BGrantFan]

I have not seen the game - but I agree, I think Dre is working much better in the team concept this year and the fact that he came into camp in much better shape is a big deal. Good on him, good for the Blazers.

He playing like a PG this year, instead of the quasi-combo guard we saw for a lot of last season. Through 5 games (I know, small sample, but to me it reflects changes in Dre's game), Dre's FGA/36 have gone from 13.1 to 10.3, while his AST/36 has gone from 6.4 to 8.5. Plus, his usage has gone from 23.8 last year to 19.6 this year, and his PER has gone from 18.1 to 20.3.

Bottom line? Less shooting + more distributing = better for both 'Dre and the Blazers.

 

[Minstrel]

He playing like a PG this year, instead of the quasi-combo guard we saw for a lot of last season.

We saw that because Roy was injured for a lot of last season. Miller is smart and capable of adapting to the situation. In the absence of Roy, Miller took on the role of initiator, both in terms of scoring and passing, from the perimeter.

Bottom line? Less shooting + more distributing = better for both 'Dre and the Blazers.

When Roy is healthy, I agree with that. To me, the bottom line is that the point guard should make decisions based on what's best for the team's offense and I feel that he did that last season and is doing it this season.

 

[Nikolokolus]

He playing like a PG this year, instead of the quasi-combo guard we saw for a lot of last season. Through 5 games (I know, small sample, but to me it reflects changes in Dre's game), Dre's FGA/36 have gone from 13.1 to 10.3, while his AST/36 has gone from 6.4 to 8.5. Plus, his usage has gone from 23.8 last year to 19.6 this year, and his PER has gone from 18.1 to 20.3.

Bottom line? Less shooting + more distributing = better for both 'Dre and the Blazers.

Some of that scorer's mentality was necessitated by the dearth of depth in the backcourt.

 

[BGrantFan]

We saw that because Roy was injured for a lot of last season. Miller is smart and capable of adapting to the situation. In the absence of Roy, Miller took on the role of initiator, both in terms of scoring and passing, from the perimeter.



When Roy is healthy, I agree with that. To me, the bottom line is that the point guard should make decisions based on what's best for the team's offense and I feel that he did that last season and is doing it this season.

I know that the statistics show that me he is playing better this season, regardless of what excuses he had last season. It's pretty much across the board in terms of advanced statistics and per/36 efficacy.

I feel that it is because 'Dre has finally figured out what role he needs to play to best help the team.

 

[Nikolokolus]

another fun fact after 5 games. Our starting and backup point guards both have a 20+ PER and an assist rate over 30 ... I doubt that can hold for a whole year, but it's nice to see a position that was so weak or in flux the past decade finally start to solidify.

 

[BGrantFan]

Some of that scorer's mentality was necessitated by the dearth of depth in the backcourt.

I disagree, at least in terms of his overall improvement as I see it. 'Dre was putting up some big FGA numbers even with a healthy Roy last year. The Dallas game skews the 'without Roy' numbers, but that was basically a once-in-a-career night for Miller. Plus, even assuming a "scorer's mentality", Miller has better advanced shooting numbers this season, meaning he shouldn't try to alter his game, since he's worse offensively when he tries to be a primary scorer.

 

[Minstrel]

I know that the statistics show that me he is playing better this season.

I agree that they show that, but a 2 PER difference over a 5 game sample is fairly trivial, in my opinion. His season last year was right in line with pretty much every season of his career. I'd love for him to improve over it this season, but if he does, I don't think it will be because he "figured out what role he has to play." Are you suggesting he should have been passing the ball to Roy last season while Roy was on the bench injured?

 

[Nikolokolus]

I disagree, at least in terms of his overall improvement as I see it. 'Dre was putting up some big FGA numbers even with a healthy Roy last year. The Dallas game skews the 'without Roy' numbers, but that was basically a once-in-a-career night for Miller. Plus, even assuming a "scorer's mentality", Miller has better advanced shooting numbers this season, meaning he shouldn't try to alter his game, since he's worse offensively when he tries to be a primary scorer.

Go to basketball reference and check out some of Dre's "career" games, that 52 point explosion was certainly an aberration, but not completely out of character and it's not like he was taking shots out of the flow of the offense or to the detriment of the team. I've watched him play for years and the one thing that has always stood out to me about Miller is that he'll do whatever he thinks it will take to win games (for better or worse).

On the M*A*S*H* team last year he morphed into a scorer for a lot nights once he was finally put into the starting lineup where he belonged. The one thing he's never been though is a backup and I don't think he was particularly happy or comfortable in that role and it showed in the way he played and carried himself.

 

[MAS RipCity]

That had to be my favorite part of the game last night. It seems like that team chemistry we had in 09 is starting to come back. I remember watching the replay and seeing Armon cheering on the bench, waving the towel towards the end of the first half, so maybe it's infectious?

 

[BGrantFan]

I agree that they show that, but a 2 PER difference over a 5 game sample is fairly trivial, in my opinion. His season last year was right in line with pretty much every season of his career.

Actually, per/36, he scored more points, took more shots, and had less assists than his typical season.

Are you suggesting he should have been passing the ball to Roy last season while Roy was on the bench injured?

No. I'm suggesting that he is playing better (5 games, I know) this season than he played as a whole last season. If you disagree, no biggie.

 

[Nikolokolus]

That had to be my favorite part of the game last night. It seems like that team chemistry we had in 09 is starting to come back. I remember watching the replay and seeing Armon cheering on the bench, waving the towel towards the end of the first half, so maybe it's infectious?

I will say this about Armon, I think he's got exactly the kind of personality you like to see in your point guard: Calm under pressure, encouraging, infectious energy and unselfish.

 

[Minstrel]

Actually, per/36, he scored more points, took more shots, and had less assists than his typical season.

His PER, which is adjusted for minutes, was right in line with all his other seasons, so the combination of scoring and passing worked out to a similar level. With Roy out, the team needed Miller to take on a greater scoring load than he normally does and it's highly impressive that he was able to switch his play style a bit without suffering a decrease in play quality.

No. I'm suggesting that he is playing better (5 games, I know) this season than he was played as a whole last season.

Quite so. That "5 games" thing, though, is more than just a detail. As I said, though, I'd love for him to keep it up.

 

[HailBlazers]

He's a very canny team defender.

This.

I will say this about Armon, I think he's got exactly the kind of personality you like to see in your point guard: Calm under pressure, encouraging, infectious energy and unselfish.

Exactly what I saw in him early on that gave me some faith in him. His interviews were great.

 

[Natebishop3]

I also think that Roy has adapted his game a bit, with more catch-and-shoot situations and more moving without the ball. That's really helped their on-court chemistry.

 

[KingSpeed]

I'm loving Andre Miller this year. I hope we keep him.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm loving Andre Miller this year. I hope we keep him.

Unless something better comes along, I'd bet we do.

 

[mook]

I wonder if Miller wants to re-sign here at the end of the year. Especially if Armon is our starter by then.

Damn. I can't believe I actually typed that, but jesus, Armon really could take the starting job away some time this year from Miller. Especially if that three point shot he's shown glimpses of is really legit.

 

[Natebishop3]

I wonder if Miller wants to re-sign here at the end of the year. Especially if Armon is our starter by then.

Damn. I can't believe I actually typed that, but jesus, Armon really could take the starting job away some time this year from Miller. Especially if that three point shot he's shown glimpses of is really legit.

Well, we do have an option for another year with him.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Actually, per/36, he scored more points, took more shots, and had less assists than his typical season.

You have to take into account the extenuating circumstances:

For the first month and a half of the season he was either playing with the second unit, where he was usually the number 1 or number 2 scoring option, or starting out of position at SG in Nates crazy 3-guard line-up. Both = more shots and fewer assists.

Then, he played over half the season with Juwan Howard as our starting center. He's not going to rack up a lot of assists feeding Juwan in the low post. Having a legitimate scoring option at starting center would have meant fewer shots and more assists for Miller.

Then Roy goes down for a month and a half. Again, more shots and fewer assists for Miller.

I didn't get the criticsm of Miller last year and I don't get it now. He constantly had to adapt to changing conditions due to a coach misusing him and then a litany of injuries. In spite of it all, he posted a PER = 18.1 in 2500 minutes of playing time. The team would not have won 50 games without him, and I don't even think they would have made the play-offs last season if they wouldn't have signed Andre Miller. Blake was sucking big time last year and needs to play beside a player like Roy or Kobe to get wide open 3s to be effective. With Blake shooting poorly when Roy was healthy, image how bad he would have been starting next to Bayless or Rudy in the backcourt when Roy was injured.

This season, so far, Miller is surrounded by quality starters at every position. Marcus Camby isn't a offensive juggernaut, but he's better than Juwan Howard, and Nicolas Batum is a better offensive player than Martell Webster. Roy is healthy and playing well and Miller has a clearly defined role from day 1 of training camp (which he SHOULD have had last season). He's surrounded by better players to pass to. So, he's naturally shooting less and passing more. It's not rocket science.

BNM

 

[STOMP]

I can't believe I actually typed that, but jesus, Armon really could take the starting job away some time this year from Miller. Especially if that three point shot he's shown glimpses of is really legit.

dude shot 29% from the college 3 while @ Nevada

http://www.nevadawolfpack.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10000&ATCLID=1179437

STOMP

 

[Jayps15]

dude shot 29% from the college 3 while @ Nevada

http://www.nevadawolfpack.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10000&ATCLID=1179437

STOMP

After last night I'm wondering how much of that 3pt shooting in college was catch and shoot vs pull up 3pters, I didn't see Nevada play at all last year but I've heard it said that most of their offense was ISOing Armon or Babbitt without much movement. So if that's true and lot of Armon's attempts were him pulling up with a defender in his face ala Roy's end of the quarter ISO 3s I can see him having a lot more success from deep with us as a catch and shoot 3pt shooter off the penetration from Roy/Matthews or the ball movement off LMA posting up and drawing a double. His form looked good when he wasn't being rushed last night so I'll be interested to see how he performs on the year.

 

[MickZagger]

dude shot 29% from the college 3 while @ Nevada

http://www.nevadawolfpack.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10000&ATCLID=1179437

STOMP

He's also known as a gym rat. There's a chance that he's improved.