Meet: "The Director"

[ABM]

Nice.

From: The Columbian

PORTLAND — Point guard Andre Miller has yet to play a game in a Portland Trail Blazers uniform. But Miller has already made a major impact on his new team, Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard said.

According to Pritchard, Miller's leadership abilities — specifically, his tendency to push and challenge teammates during recent informal training sessions — have made an immediate impression on Portland's coaches and players.

Miller even has a new nickname: The Director.

"I know he can bring something that is very unique in our league, and this is the ability to make everybody else better. Not only offensively, but defensively," Pritchard said Wednesday during a media event at the Rose Garden.

"I've seen it (at the practice facility) already. The level of defense and the level of sophistication that's going on out there already is really fun to watch. ... It's unique; I've never seen this."

Blazers coach Nate McMillan said he was equally impressed by Miller's confidence and take-charge attitude — traits the team hoped to add when it signed the 10-year NBA veteran as free agent during the offseason.

McMillan praised Miller's basketball intelligence, stating Miller has the ability to recognize when teammates are out of the loop, and then find creative ways to bring them back in to the flow of the game.

"We have a lot of guys who need the ball and want the ball," McMillan said. "(Miller) doesn't need to score to be productive."

Blazers assistant coach Monty Williams was even more direct. Williams stated nothing compares to playing with a teammate who has "been there and done that."

"You can't slide stuff past Andre," Williams said. "If one of our guys wants to hang in the locker room and not work, Andre's like, 'What's up, man? Let's go.' "..............................

 

[MrSelfDestruct]

Encouraging words about Oden.

I'm dying to start the season. I'd love to pick up were we left off at the end of last regular season...crushing folks.

 

[Idog1976]

Encouraging words about Oden.

I'm dying to start the season. I'd love to pick up were we left off at the end of last regular season...crushing folks.

Yeah, and they carry a bit more weight for me coming from Nate. I don't know if I can recall Nate boosting a player who hadn't really put in the work. Pritchard is of course half-man, half-PRMachine so I take what he says with a grain of salt. Monty and Nate though don't give up the praise unless someone is putting in the work. Oden is working hard, now he just has to put it all together on the court when it counts.

 

[barfo]

So who is it on the team that is not wanting to work, this early in the year, and got called out by Miller?

barfo

 

[BrianFromWA]

LOL. I was waiting to see who brought it up.

 

[JDC]

Monty is speaking hypothetically.

At least I hope so.

 

[mgb]

Oden hit 18 straight FTs? I hope that carries over to reg games. If so I'm sure he'll easily get double figures points.

 

[Mediocre Man]

So who is it on the team that is not wanting to work, this early in the year, and got called out by Miller?

barfo

My guess is Travis. Not because I don't like him, but because I can't imagine who else it would be.

 

[Foulzilla]

Good stuff. And I agree about Travis, not because I think he's lazy, but because I see him as the laid back guy who likes to goof around a bit.

I also hope "the Director" nickname doesn't stick. I don't really like it. Fortunately, it's too late in Millers career for a nickname to be likely to stick.

 

[THE HCP]

I bet you it was Brandon just loungin around!

 

[Natebishop3]

I like The Maestro better. Took it from a Dr. Dre album.

 

[mook]

He always reminds me of Richard Pryor.

 

[Blazer_Hippie]

So who is it on the team that is not wanting to work, this early in the year, and got called out by Miller?

barfo

Maybe it was a few weeks ago...the lazy chump was: Greg Ostertag!!

and OT...when I googled to make sure I spelled Ostertag right this was what I found..ewww...

 

[MARIS61]

"You can't slide stuff past Andre," Williams said. "If one of our guys wants to hang in the locker room and not work, Andre's like, 'What's up, man? Let's go.' "..............................

Hilarious!

Most of these guys have been busting their ass all summer, while Andre just slid in from his annual 5 month vacation. Not someone I would be inspired to heed.

"Do as I say, not as I do."

 

[Nikolokolus]

"You can't slide stuff past Andre," Williams said. "If one of our guys wants to hang in the locker room and not work, Andre's like, 'What's up, man? Let's go.' "..............................

Hilarious!

Most of these guys have been busting their ass all summer, while Andre just slid in from his annual 5 month vacation. Not someone I would be inspired to heed.

"Do as I say, not as I do."

I'll bet they wish Sergio was still here too ...

 

[Natebishop3]

"You can't slide stuff past Andre," Williams said. "If one of our guys wants to hang in the locker room and not work, Andre's like, 'What's up, man? Let's go.' "..............................

Hilarious!

Most of these guys have been busting their ass all summer, while Andre just slid in from his annual 5 month vacation. Not someone I would be inspired to heed.

"Do as I say, not as I do."

Last year it was Bayless. This year it will be Miller. You sure do love to pick on those point guards.

 

[Shooter]

Encouraging words about Oden . . .

Yes, and no. Do you notice that when Pritchard and McMillan talk about Oden, it's always about how he's "poised" to have a breakout year, or how he's in "great shape," or how his "attitude" is better?? It's always the intangible stuff, and never the real stuff.

Just once, I'd like to hear somebody say, "Damn, Oden is playing like a monster!"

Until he starts actually PLAYING much better, I'll reserve my judgement.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Yes, and no. Do you notice that when Pritchard and McMillan talk about Oden, it's always about how he's "poised" to have a breakout year, or how he's in "great shape," or how his "attitude" is better?? It's always the intangible stuff, and never the real stuff.

Just once, I'd like to hear somebody say, "Damn, Oden is playing like a monster!"

Until he starts actually PLAYING much better, I'll reserve my judgement.

I agree that I'll be much more impressed when I SEE it on the court, but I'm sure KP and co. are a little reserved after all the talking up they did last pre-season, saying things like "Greg can do things no one else in the league can," and "he's a beast." and all of that other shite.

I'm far more encouraged that KP may finally be learning to curb the constant sunshine pumping and tendency to over-inflate fan expectations through his comments.

 

[ABM]

http://dimemag.com/2009/09/the-portland-point-guard-battle/

 

[MARIS61]

Last year it was Bayless. This year it will be Miller. You sure do love to pick on those point guards.

I "pick on" players who are ridiculously over-rated by posters that gush all over them so much that's it's embarrassing. Also players who are obvious misfits for this team (with it's current coach).

 

[maxiep]

I like The Maestro better. Took it from a Dr. Dre album.

Nope. When I think of "The Maestro", I think of this guy:

 

[THE HCP]

I'm watching a replay of a Nets Sixers game from last year and midway thru the 1st 1/4, Dre has 3 alley oop passes already. I think he will be a perfect fit for us.

 

[SheedSoNasty]

I'm watching a replay of a Nets Sixers game from last year and midway thru the 1st 1/4, Dre has 3 alley oop passes already. I think he will be a perfect fit for us.

He has the potential to improve LMA and Greg's offense by quite a bit this year. I'm just worried about how much he'll take away from Roy, who really seems to need the ball in his hands.

However, being the consummate professional that he is, it wouldn't surprise me to see Roy adapt and change his game. The guy's amazing.

 

[jlprk]

I'm watching a replay of a Nets Sixers game from last year and midway thru the 1st 1/4, Dre has 3 alley oop passes already. I think he will be a perfect fit for us.

That would make him a bad fit. If only we had a fast break, showpiece passes would be a good fit. He may be off to Sacramento if he doesn't dumb it down.

Did you read about Miller's personality in the Big Ass Media Day Thread? (Post #72 & 82.) He and Bayless must be related.

 

[mgb]

I "pick on" players who are ridiculously over-rated by posters that gush all over them so much that's it's embarrassing. Also players who are obvious misfits for this team (with it's current coach).

Wow, I don't recall you picking on Sergio?

 

[MARIS61]

Wow, I don't recall you picking on Sergio?

Or Blake. Or Roy. Or LaMarcus. Or Greg. Or Travis. Or Joel. Or Nic. Or Rudy. Or Shavlik. Or...

Just like I said.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I "pick on" players who are ridiculously over-rated by posters that gush all over them so much that's it's embarrassing. Also players who are obvious misfits for this team (with it's current coach).

Oh

My

God ...

Too fucking funny !!!!!!!!!!