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ABM

ABM

Happily Married In Music City, USA!
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From: The O

LAS VEGAS -- The reviews around the league for the Trail Blazers' acquisition of Andre Miller are generally positive.

"It's going to help them out a lot," Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant said. "He and Brandon Roy in the backcourt together? I was just telling my brother the other day, 'That's going to be a monster.'"

The Blazers on Friday signed the former Philadelphia 76ers point guard to what is believed to be a three-year, $21 million contract. The move addressed one of the Blazers' major offseason goals of adding an experienced point guard capable of taking some of the scoring pressure off Roy and forward LaMarcus Aldridge.

"He took a lot of pressure off me," Philadelphia forward Andre Iguodala said. "My scoring went up, but I took fewer shots. The game was easy and I didn't have to work as hard. He made it easy for all of us.

"Those guys are going to love him. Roy and Aldridge's games are going to go up to another level. Everybody's game is going to step up because of Andre."

Miller averaged 16.3 points, 6.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds for Philadelphia last season. He has averages 14.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 7.4 assists in 10 NBA seasons. Miller is not a great perimeter shooter, but he is a very capable finisher near the basket. The 33-year-old has slowed considerably since Cleveland selected him eighth overall in the 1999 draft, but he has proven he is capable of creating his own shot.

"He's deceptively athletic. He's not gonna wow you with dunking over people," New York Knicks forward David Lee said. "He knows what to do using shot fakes and using deception. Just at the time you think he can't finish in the lane, he shoots a floater over you. When you think he can't shoot, he's hitting the little 15-footers over you.".....................
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It's funny that Iguodala said that he "didn't have to work as hard". Had he did, his team might have done better this season.

Aside from that, the Miller naysayers (the few) are going to see just how big of an impact he's going to have on this team. I'm pumped.
 
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"Those guys are going to love him. Roy and Aldridge's games are going to go up to another level. Everybody's game is going to step up because of Andre."
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I'm not terribly excited about this trade (I just heard about it after getting back from vacation in Santa Fe), but perhaps it's going to be one of those sneaky little deals that ends up making a big difference for a team.
 
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Shooter said:
I'm not terribly excited about this trade (I just heard about it after getting back from vacation in Santa Fe), but perhaps it's going to be one of those sneaky little deals that ends up making a big difference for a team.
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Just to clarify: there was no trade. We are signing Miller with our cap space.

Ed O.
 
I'm a big fan of Miller. I just wish he were younger, so he'd be a part of the team for a longer time. But I think he's a great play-maker and he's going to make a big difference.
 
From Young:

"'Dre was one of the best guys I ever played with," forward Thaddeus Young said. "'Dre was a great guy to have on the court and around the locker room."
 
Minstrel said:
I'm a big fan of Miller. I just wish he were younger, so he'd be a part of the team for a longer time. But I think he's a great play-maker and he's going to make a big difference.
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You and I have been of a similar mind when it comes to Miller for some time (Session too if I recall). I think this is way more of a "homerun" (or at least a ground rule double) than the potential Hedo signing and they somehow managed to get him without overpaying, which was my biggest concern about Dre -- in fact I think they got him for a steal with only 14 million of obligatory salary and a guy who's only played about 28,000 minutes (far less mileage than Kobe for instance).

When I saw that this deal was finalized I immediately thought myself "Greg just added 3 points per game to his scoring average;" I know not everyone shares our enthusiasm for Miller, but I think he makes us a much better, much smarter team and will mean a fresher and less worn down Brandon come playoff time.

There's still some kinks to be worked out with regards to spacing the floor, but I think there are definitely enough shooters on this team to make Miller probably look better too.

Good times.
 
SheedSoNasty said:
It's funny that Iguodala said that he "didn't have to work as hard". Had he did, his team might have done better this season.

Aside from that, the Miller naysayers (the few) are going to see just how big of an impact he's going to have on this team. I'm pumped.
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I think you undersell just how much of a grind a six-month, 82 games season really is (100+ if you go far in the playoffs). Iguodala probably isn't relishing being ground into dust because he's now that teams best (only?) proven playmaker going into next season. My guess is that there's a pretty good chance the Sixers don't even make the playoffs.
 
Nikolokolus said:
You and I have been of a similar mind when it comes to Miller for some time (Session too if I recall). I think this is way more of a "homerun" (or at least a ground rule double) than the potential Hedo signing and they somehow managed to get him without overpaying, which was my biggest concern about Dre -- in fact I think they got him for a steal with only 14 million of obligatory salary and a guy who's only played about 28,000 minutes (far less mileage than Kobe for instance).
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Absolutely. I was underwhelmed by the Turkoglu contract and was trying to talk myself into liking it. The Miller deal is almost the polar opposite...not only is the player measurably better and I feel he's a better fit in how he plays, the contract is a dream. It's the contract I'd have designed as perfect, but wouldn't have expected Miller to accept. A third-year team option is quite remarkable.

I'm surprised how unenthused a lot of people seem. There's a reason Durant said that a Miller/Roy backcourt will be a monster. Not only is it extremely productive statistically, both are good at imposing their will physically. Any backcourt with an undersized player will have nowhere to hide that undersized player. Roy will overwhelm and shoot over a small defender, Miller can post him up.

And I think it's not a coincidence that we also both like Sessions. I think Sessions is a young, rising Andre Miller-like player. That's why I'd have loved to add him. He could have given us what Miller will, but for years.

When I saw that this deal was finalized I immediately thought myself "Greg just added 3 points per game to his scoring average;" I know not everyone shares our enthusiasm for Miller, but I think he makes us a much better, much smarter team and will mean a fresher and less worn down Brandon come playoff time.
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Smarter and tougher. He may have lost a step on defense, but he's still got good instincts, size and toughness. Like a lesser Pippen, he'll still be able to contribute significantly on that end even if he has some trouble with lightning-quick player.

I think Oden and Aldridge will raise their dunk percentages, which were already healthy. Miller alley-oop lobs and Miller drive-and-dishes will allow Oden and Aldridge to feast.
 
Nikolokolus said:
You and I have been of a similar mind when it comes to Miller for some time (Session too if I recall).
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hey now, I want in on the early Miller trumpeting party as well. I've thought he was the obvious UFA to add since we started discussing this after the trade deadline passed as I've long admired his game... heck, I'm recalling talking him up in threads with you. Sessions on the other hand I wasn't on board for most because the only two times I saw him last year was vs Portland and he laid an egg on both occasions. I was also in the decided minority on the Turkoglu engagement.
Good times.
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good times ahead indeed

I predicted 60 games the day before they signed AM. If everyone looks healthy going into the season, I'll be upping that number.

STOMP
 
I, for one, am cautiously wildly optimistic.

barfo
 
SheedSoNasty said:
It's funny that Iguodala said that he "didn't have to work as hard". Had he did, his team might have done better this season.

Aside from that, the Miller naysayers (the few) are going to see just how big of an impact he's going to have on this team. I'm pumped.
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Lol, way to take a quote right out of context...I thought it was obvious he meant he didn't have work as hard to....get his own shot, create for himself, etc
 
I know there's talk of "Oh Miller? Hasn't been on great teams". But he's made teams better and it's inarguable. When he came to Denver he instantly made them a better team. The same thing happened in Philadelphia. Would you say that Andre Miller is a better player (especially a couple of years ago) than Allen Iverson? Probably not. He's not the marquee guy. But the 76ers became a better team.

And let's not pretend that Andre isn't a true PG. My old roommate used to love saying "Andre Miller is leading the league is assists....and who is he passing to". That's referring back when he was on a crappy Cavaliers team. I too wish he was a couple of years younger. BUT, I will admit that I had expected him to decline more in the past two years than he has. I've had him in fantasy basketball quite a few times, and he puts up pretty good and reliable numbers on a nightly basis.

I mean, it was the right move. We either sign a FA right now (Miller, Odom) or pray that a team decides to dump a good player for salary (like a Sessions, or Hinrich to a lesser extent). If no team wants to make a team with us, then we'll lose the cap space and not have anything to show for it. So we had to buy now, and I think we made a good decision. I've always liked Miller and I'm happy to have him on the team. For sure.
 
Minstrel said:
Smarter and tougher. He may have lost a step on defense, but he's still got good instincts, size and toughness. Like a lesser Pippen, he'll still be able to contribute significantly on that end even if he has some trouble with lightning-quick player.

I think Oden and Aldridge will raise their dunk percentages, which were already healthy. Miller alley-oop lobs and Miller drive-and-dishes will allow Oden and Aldridge to feast.
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I think you just described why I love the deal - and why some folks hate it.

A) Some fans are still stuck in "5 year plan" mode. They don't get that this team is close to being a serious contender. They can't shift mental gears and appreciate the value of a guy who can step in and help *now*.

B) Some people separate players into 2 categories: stars and bums. They don't appreciate "merely" good players. They either over-rate them (Rudy) or under-rate them (Outlaw).

C) Some folks seem to be in love with the "bombs away" game plan. There is no doubt in my mind that adding Miller will raise Oden's scoring average, and raise LMA's FG% (if not his average). But if that means fewer treys, there will be grumbles.
 
Billups' best seasons have been his 10th through 13th. Miller's best days may be ahead of him. Go Blazers!!!
 
SheedSoNasty said:
It's funny that Iguodala said that he "didn't have to work as hard". Had he did, his team might have done better this season.].
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Cmon. You know what he meant, right? Scoring was easier. That's a good thing. Trying to work harder doesn't necessarily make you a better player.
 
Minstrel said:
I'm a big fan of Miller. I just wish he were younger, so he'd be a part of the team for a longer time. But I think he's a great play-maker and he's going to make a big difference.
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He could stick with us for 6 more years and still be effective, I think. Like I said, his best seasons may yet be in front of him.
 
Looking at the numbers, Andre actually had his best year from the three point line last season. He's getting better. Maybe he can make .333 this season.
 
KingSpeed said:
Billups' best seasons have been his 10th through 13th. Miller's best days may be ahead of him. Go Blazers!!!
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Billups is younger than Miller. I don't think it's realistic to expect Andre to actually improve.

Ed O.
 
KingSpeed said:
Billups' best seasons have been his 10th through 13th. Miller's best days may be ahead of him. Go Blazers!!!
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Actually, I believe 9 through 12 (he has only played 12 seasons), from 29 till 32. They could both fall off somewhat in the next 2 seasons, but they can also maintain their play from the last 2 years (like Nash). Both have a record of having extremely healthy careers. I'm optimistic. Whether Miller can actually improve his output largely depends on how he fits here. I'd be more than happy to have the Andre Miller of the last 2 seasons for 2 more.
 
As Miller ages, he'll get more savvy to compensate for a slower step. This was already a very smart team (remember the boneheaded Porter/Drexler days?), and Miller just made it smarter.

So I expect the assist numbers to be higher this year - I would not be surprised at all if Miller had a career year in assists. There are so many rapid scorers to pass to - Rudy, Oden, Aldridge, even Pryz near the basket.

iWatas
 
barfo said:
I, for one, am cautiously wildly optimistic.

barfo
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Me too.

He will add to the D, give us experience and help those around him. What more can you really ask for?

Also he seems to have a great attitude and the trade just seems to fit.

Good call for me.

Now will Bayless stay or go?

.........
 
I hope they are right, and I am wrong. God knows, won't be the first time or the last.

I'm just not stoked about Miller... Seems like the Blazers have all the O they need, and what they are lacking is some serious D force. His defense can be absolutely nil at times.
 
KingSpeed said:
He could stick with us for 6 more years and still be effective, I think. Like I said, his best seasons may yet be in front of him.
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Yes!! this coming season!!:cheers:
 
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