Miller bringing the wisdom

[illmatic99]

http://columbian.com/article/20091130/BLOGS05/911309995/-1/blazerbanter

Great interview:

On what he sees in the Blazers' lack of offensive efficiency:

What I see from the bench is, last year they was efficient — and we talked about this — they was efficient; a little bit quicker as a team. And it's my first year here. And teams are aware that Portland is a good team. This team's not going to surprise anybody. Teams are going to come in and prepare to play this team, because it's a talented and a good team. So, I think now, it's just kind of methodical. Half-court basketball. (Bring) the ball down. Work the shot clock. And then get stuck with the shot clock running out. And if that's how we want to play basketball, so that's how the coach is stressing it.

On whether he really thinks that:

No. No. I'm saying that's the terminology. The coaching staff says, 'Either play early or play late.' So, my thing is, being a point guard and observing in this league, the teams that win are the teams that get paint points, teams that get to the free throw line, and teams that force turnovers and get fast-break points. The teams that have won with the methodicalness are teams that have been together for maybe 5-6 years. The San Antonio, the Detroit — they played that half-court basketball and mixed it with paint points and forcing turnovers. Not that it wasn't methodical, but they played well off that; they knew how to mix it together. I think for us, we've just got to mix it together a little bit, I think the team will be all right.

On what he sees in the Blazers' offensive struggles:

This is how I see it: It shouldn't be a struggle. First of all, everybody got contracts. And we talked about it when the season started, about sacrificing as a team. It shouldn't be about who's going to get the ball or how you're going to play with each other. I mean, they played well together last year and won 54 games. (The Boston Celtics') Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett sacrificed their game, and they won a championship. I don't see that as any different than this situation.

 

[PapaG]

A couple of veiled shots at Roy and LMA in there.

At least that's how I read the final paragraph.

 

[RoyToy]

A couple of veiled shots at Roy and LMA in there.

At least that's how I read the final paragraph.

You could possibly include this as well:

On whether he sees the Blazers not maximizing their offensive potential:

"I don't know. I mean, I think Greg (Oden) is playing solid right now."


Something tells me if you asked Andre Miller who he'd take between Roy and Iguodala he'd take Iguodala. Just my Jason Quick take.

 

[LameR]

A couple of veiled shots at Roy and LMA in there.

At least that's how I read the final paragraph.

I'd read it as more of a fact, and a fact that applies to himself as much as the rest of them.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

A couple of veiled shots at Roy and LMA in there.
At least that's how I read the final paragraph.

I agree. Of course, he also got a contract, so he could claim that he's including himself... but he isn't really.

And he has sacrificed. Who's the one with far fewer minutes than in his career (despite the fact that he played better in the playoffs last year than probably any Blazer)?

 

[MARIS61]

He thinks he hasn't been shooting. Doesn't he check his stats? (I know he does).

 

[oldguy]

Isn't he averaging about 5-6 shots per game? That's hardly a ball hog.

Go Blazers

 

[B-Roy]

Isn't he averaging about 5-6 shots per game? That's hardly a ball hog.

Go Blazers

8.2

He's about on line with his career FGA/Min.

 

[PapaG]

Isn't he averaging about 5-6 shots per game? That's hardly a ball hog.

Go Blazers

Or 8.2 FGA per game. All on <40% shooting and <15% from 3pt FG. He's been a disaster thus far. Nate may as well start him to see if there is any hope, or if it's time to get rid of the divisive loner after 12/15.

 

[PapaG]

8.2

He's about on line with his career FGA/Min.

He's 0.8 FGA below his per-36 career average. Who exactly needs to change their game, Andre?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

He thinks he hasn't been shooting. Doesn't he check his stats? (I know he does).

Do you? If you did, you would notice that he's taking fewer shots per 36 min than in either of the past two years, and that nearly a third of the shots he does take occur with 4 or fewer seconds on the shot clock (as compared to just 18% last year). He is sacrificing his game--you just refuse to see it.

 

[Nikolokolus]

A couple of veiled shots at Roy and LMA in there.

At least that's how I read the final paragraph.

It's a statement of fact. Each of those guys sacrificed numbers when they were brought together in Boston ... the chief difference is that they'd all pretty much locked up their future HOF induction with the numbers they put up in the previous decade of work. I don't see how this is a shot? The Blazers keystones will probably have to sacrifice shots, touches, etc. at some point if they are ever going to get to a point where they can contend for a championship.

 

[LameR]

He's 0.8 FGA below his per-36 career average. Who exactly needs to change their game, Andre?

With Travis out, would you rather have Joel taking those shots? Obviously his percentage is bad right now, but it's still early, and in limited playing time I'm not really surprised. There aren't many better options outside of Rudy in that second unit.

 

[MARIS61]

Do you? If you did, you would notice that he's taking fewer shots per 36 min than in either of the past two years, and that nearly a third of the shots he does take occur with 4 or fewer seconds on the shot clock (as compared to just 18% last year). He is sacrificing his game--you just refuse to see it.

He's pretty much on his career average pace, hasn't backed off measurably, and is missing 60% of the time.

Most alarmingly, he is shooting more per game and more per minute than Greg Oden, making himself the 3rd option which is NOT THE GAME PLAN.

He's shooting more than Rudy, Martell, and Steve even though they all have much better range than him.

 

[MARIS61]

With Travis out, would you rather have Joel taking those shots?

Absolutely.

Joel led the league in FG% last year with .625%.

I would also rather see Rudy, Dante, or Jerryd shoot.

Miller was supposedly going to get everyone more shots, not less.

 

[cdub503]

He's pretty much on his career average pace, hasn't backed off measurably, and is missing 60% of the time.

Most alarmingly, he is shooting more per game and more per minute than Greg Oden, making himself the 3rd option which is NOT THE GAME PLAN.

He's shooting more than Rudy, Martell, and Steve even though they all have much better range than him.

And I wonder how many of those misses have been caused by fouls where he gets to the line and gets points with the clock stopped..... My guess is at least half

 

[MARIS61]

And I wonder how many of those misses have been caused by fouls where he gets to the line and gets points with the clock stopped..... My guess is at least half

Kingspeed often says, "Learn the game, then post".

If the player is fouled on the shot attempt and misses the shot then it is not recorded as an attempt.

 

[Ed O]

Can you imagine how much wisdom '08 Blake would be able to impart, if only we listened?

Ed O.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Love, love, love, love love that article!!!!!!


To sum it up, Miller thinks Nate is an assclown. Throw the fucking ball into Greg. Push the fucking tempo.


Sounds familiar. I always like it when I'm right.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Love, love, love, love love that article!!!!!!


To sum it up, Miller thinks Nate is an assclown. Throw the fucking ball into Greg. Push the fucking tempo.


Sounds familiar. I always like it when I'm right.

If he wasn't so reclusive and shy I'd probably nominate him to replace Nate as the coach. Lenny Wilkens part deux!!!

 

[BBert]

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

Miller > Nate

 

[PapaG]

With Travis out, would you rather have Joel taking those shots? Obviously his percentage is bad right now, but it's still early, and in limited playing time I'm not really surprised. There aren't many better options outside of Rudy in that second unit.

I'd rather have Roy, LMA, or Oden taking those shots. Throw in Rudy as well. Miller was supposed to distribute the ball. He has failed so far this season, and taking public shots at his teammates can't hide his own miserable stats.

 

[PapaG]

Can you imagine how much wisdom '08 Blake would be able to impart, if only we listened?

Ed O.

Lame effort at baiting me, Ed. Losing your fastball, or just overworked?

 

[PapaG]

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

Miller > Nate

Nate's actually won some playoff series, as both a player and a coach.

 

[Ed O]

Lame effort at baiting me, Ed. Losing your fastball, or just overworked?

It was intended more as mockery than baiting. Sorry for the lack of clarity.

Ed O.

 

[MARIS61]

Love, love, love, love love that article!!!!!!


To sum it up, Miller thinks Nate is an assclown. Throw the fucking ball into Greg. Push the fucking tempo.


Sounds familiar. I always like it when I'm right.

Miller said none of those things.

 

[ucatchtrout]

If he did...
who here would like him more?
and who here would like him less?

 

[PapaG]

It was intended more as mockery than baiting. Sorry for the lack of clarity.

Ed O.

Mocking a frequent poster who authored a well-researched post that had pages of responses, went against the board CW, and contained no personal attacks. Aim high, Ed. Let's start watching those emotions.

 

[BBert]

If he did...
who here would like him more?
and who here would like him less?

More.

 

[PapaG]

Love, love, love, love love that article!!!!!!


To sum it up, Miller thinks Nate is an assclown. Throw the fucking ball into Greg. Push the fucking tempo.


Sounds familiar. I always like it when I'm right.

Miller's rings (and playoff victories) do speak volumes. Also, a player who bounces around the league, yet is "successful", raises no red flags.