So, 'Dre Knows More About The Blazers Than The Blazers, Themselves?

[ABM]

I dunno. I just find it a bit hard to believe that KP and Nate were seemingly so blown away while Miller sat there at dinner describing how he knew virtually all the Blazers sets, how to play/defend(??) the Blazers, how to get LMA and Oden 4 to 5 more points apiece per game, et al.

I wouldn't think what Miller said would be revolutionary in any way. I wonder why the Blazers braintrust were so mesmerized by all this?

Interesting, at least, to me.

 

[B-Roy]

It's strange to me too.

 

[azsun67]

I took it as him being very familar with the Blazer players. If he could see by video or by playing against these guys how to make them better I think it shows where his basketball IQ is. I look atthis as the opposite as to when they interview rookies at the draft and hey don't know very many of their new teammates. If these rookies are die hard baskletball fans they should know more of their new teammates. I am not in the field of basketball but I can name a whole bunch of players off specific teams. I know any of us who spend too much time on this board are the same way.

 

[hasoos]

What will be more critical to me is that he knows when to defer to Roy. At the end of the game when it's big shot time, I sure hope I don't ever see Miller jacking a 3, or deciding he's the man and not giving Roy the ball.

 

[Further]

I dunno. I just find it a bit hard to believe that KP and Nate were seemingly so blown away while Miller sat there at dinner describing how he knew virtually all the Blazers sets, how to play/defend(??) the Blazers, how to get LMA and Oden 4 to 5 more points apiece per game, et al.

I wouldn't think what Miller said would be revolutionary in any way. I wonder why the Blazers braintrust were so mesmerized by all this?

Interesting, at least, to me.

My guess is that Miller did say these things, but that most PG's say those things and that KP was just looking for good things to say. Will Miller get LMA and Oden 4-5 more points, likely not, but 2-3 points seems reasonable. Miller has a couple abilities that Blake does not that will allow him to help the Bigs better than Blake. He can pass in traffic, drive and dish and post up and dish off. On the other hand, one thing that Blake can do that Miller can't is shoot the long ball, which provides space for the Bigs.

As far as knowing all our sets, that is the roll of a good PG in the NBA, to know how each team plays and how to take advantage of them. The Blazers only have about 4 common sets so I could see Miller being able to know what they are. And my guess is that several of the smarter PG's in the league would also know these.

 

[Sinobas]

Philly has owned us the last 2-3 years. So signing Dre should be good for at least 2 more wins(against Philly) and probably more. And Portland's "sets" aren't very complicated to begin with, so of course he knows them inside and out.

And I don't doubt that he will get Oden and LA more points! He'll hit Oden on Pick n' rolls, and he'll be able to run and get LA easy transition points. He was #2 in the league in assists for dunks last year, averaging almost 2 a game.

 

[STOMP]

What will be more critical to me is that he knows when to defer to Roy. At the end of the game when it's big shot time, I sure hope I don't ever see Miller jacking a 3, or deciding he's the man and not giving Roy the ball.

He's been deferring to Iguadala at crunch time for a while now, but will take advantage when an opportunity presents itself. I like that this gives Portland another guy who can take his man off the dribble and put pressure/draw fouls on the opponent's Bigs. Being able to draw and dish to Greg and LA should also draw fouls on the opponent's Bigs too... having 1st line opposing Bigs saddled with foul trouble is a good thing. His addition makes Roy more of a jump shooter for most of the game though I'm sure he'll still be the guy with the ball at the top of the key when the game is winding down. I expect Rudy in there instead of Miller when the game is down to a last shot. His addition should diversify Portland's attack and lessen some of the pounding that Brandon takes keeping him fresh for winning time.

STOMP

 

[illmatic99]

I'm getting tired of KP's doublespeak. I don't take anything he says at face value anymore.

 

[ABM]

I'm getting tired of KP's doublespeak. I don't take anything he says at face value anymore.

KP, as being played by Meg Ryan --> [video=youtube;5nNhOH4Y0bI]

 

[Mediocre Man]

I have said his like 1000 times, but Portland has a very simplistic offensive set, and it is easy to defend. Our wonderful EFF was all about offensive rebounding, and not about our incredibly complex offensive sets.

 

[MrJayremmie]

I'm getting tired of KP's doublespeak. I don't take anything he says at face value anymore.

I actually agree. Thats why i don't listen or read KP interviews. It means nothing to me, and if you've read/heard one, you've read/heard them all.

 

[STOMP]

I'm getting tired of KP's doublespeak. I don't take anything he says at face value anymore.

What are you exactly referring to with the doublespeak comment? He's guarded, sure, but it's part of the job to not blast your own players or tip your cards on big moves your planning, so I don't really see the way he's conducting himself in interviews as problematic. Conversely, the way Nash openly handled his business did give me concern... to me it was an extention of his poor overall decision making.

STOMP

 

[hasoos]

I have said his like 1000 times, but Portland has a very simplistic offensive set, and it is easy to defend. Our wonderful EFF was all about offensive rebounding, and not about our incredibly complex offensive sets.

At the same time, Jerry Sloan has been running pick and roll for 30 years.......

 

[chris_in_pdx]

I'm getting tired of KP's doublespeak. I don't take anything he says at face value anymore.

I suggest you stop listening to interviews by sports executives, players, scouts, agents, and, for that matter, politicians, business leaders, celebrities, etc.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I'm getting tired of KP's doublespeak. I don't take anything he says at face value anymore.

Why would you ever take anything any GM said at face value? If a GM tells the media the truth then he needs to be fired. This is all one big poker game. I am sure they would all prefer not to have to answer any questions by the media, but they have to. So they spin. Players all have huge egos. You can't say what you really feel about them. And you can't let other GM's know either. This is not different that any other business.

 

[The Sebastian Express]

I have said his like 1000 times, but Portland has a very simplistic offensive set, and it is easy to defend. Our wonderful EFF was all about offensive rebounding, and not about our incredibly complex offensive sets.

Power to efficiency statistics not counting an offensive rebound as a new possession to mask our woefulness. Alas.

 

[oldmangrouch]

All the original statement boils down to, is that Miller is old-school. He still takes the time to study the opposition.

What's bad about that?

 

[hasoos]

Well what did folks expect KP to say? "Well Andre is kind of questionable for a fit, but we had the cash, and no other deals went through, so what the hell?". Comon folks. All they are going to do is try to get this thing off to a positive start.

 

[BBert]

I dunno. I just find it a bit hard to believe that KP and Nate were seemingly so blown away while Miller sat there at dinner describing how he knew virtually all the Blazers sets, how to play/defend(??) the Blazers, how to get LMA and Oden 4 to 5 more points apiece per game, et al.

I wouldn't think what Miller said would be revolutionary in any way. I wonder why the Blazers braintrust were so mesmerized by all this?

Interesting, at least, to me.

Link?



Sorry AVM, couldn't resist!

It doesn't seem odd to me. If Miller displayed a superior knowledge of the Blazers' offense and players, and KP and Nate agreed with Miller's analysis and assessment of how to maximize the efficiency of the players on the team, that's a good thing. It not only assures them he will be a productive PG for us, but that he probably does the same home work on every team in the league. What's not to like about that? I would be very surprised if every player in the league could display the same level of interest and knowledge of other teams' sets and players. It shows Andre is a hard worker, a student of the game, and he takes it all very seriously. It's probably part of the reason his last two seasons have been his most productive yet, even at his "advanced age."

 

[Minstrel]

Miller has the perspective of an intelligent opponent, someone who has thought through how to attack Portland as a Sixer. It makes sense that he'd have insights about Portland, that he can now use in running the offense.

I doubt he was truly spell-binding, just that he showed his intelligence and his willingness to study the game and think. Probably not all that rare in point guards, but some are probably more impressive at it than others. Maybe Dre Miller is more impressive than most. Or maybe it's PR fluff.

 

[barfo]

It might also mean that Millsap and Hedo were real boring to talk to.

barfo

 

[Eastoff]

... I like that this gives Portland another guy who can take his man off the dribble and put pressure/draw fouls on the opponent's Bigs. Being able to draw and dish to Greg and LA should also draw fouls on the opponent's Bigs too... having 1st line opposing Bigs saddled with foul trouble is a good thing. His addition makes Roy more of a jump shooter for most of the game though I'm sure he'll still be the guy with the ball at the top of the key when the game is winding down. I expect Rudy in there instead of Miller when the game is down to a last shot. His addition should diversify Portland's attack and lessen some of the pounding that Brandon takes keeping him fresh for winning time.

STOMP

I agree entirely, although I imagine the minute Andre gets signed, Roy is told to improve his three ball. Note, Roy has a three ball, but it is not very consistent right now.

 

[Eastoff]

... He was #2 in the league in assists for dunks last year...

If this is true, this is VERY good for Oden. LMA needs to work on his post up moves, and obviously he can use this to his advantage too. I mean can you guys imagine having the spanish armada work with more than just spanish players?

 

[number 10]

Or maybe Andy Miller (Rudy, Taurean Green, Telfair), Andre's agent, used his previous experience with the Blazers to adequately prepare his player for the interview.

Sounds like a PR exercise from KP.

 

[STOMP]

I dunno. I just find it a bit hard to believe that KP and Nate were seemingly so blown away while Miller sat there at dinner describing how he knew virtually all the Blazers sets, how to play/defend(??) the Blazers, how to get LMA and Oden 4 to 5 more points apiece per game, et al.

I wouldn't think what Miller said would be revolutionary in any way. I wonder why the Blazers braintrust were so mesmerized by all this?

it's the story they gave Quick, exactly the sort of touchy feely stuff he'd regurgitate. A convivial meeting of the basketball minds probably didn't hurt, but what really matters is that they were talking the same sorts of dollars and especially years for an established talent. Unquestionably management has been weighing the pros and cons of adding Miller this offseason dating back at least a year... this is probably true off all the top 2009 UFAs. I'd guess that when there were many teams with capspace looking to spend just a couple weeks back, Miller's asking price and contract length were probably above what Portland could afford and want to commit to. As teams signed guys and it got down to just a few teams with the capability to pay him above the MLE, supply and demand shifted to Portland's favor. But tell this sort of stuff to Quick and it portraits your exciting new marketing angle as a money hungry hoops mercenary... better to go with the fluff

STOMP

 

[STOMP]

I agree entirely, although I imagine the minute Andre gets signed, Roy is told to improve his three ball. Note, Roy has a three ball, but it is not very consistent right now.

38% from deep is a fine %, especially since so many of his have been in high difficulty/contested go situations where the 24 second clock is winding down. Miller's pick and roll and driving ability allows for BR to spend more time off the ball with his feet set waiting for the ball to be swung to him for a wide open look. I'd guess that his 3pt attemts will go up this year and his % won't go down.

I'm looking forward to when Miller Rudy and Roy are teamed in small ball matchups.

STOMP

 

[OddEnormous]

I dunno. I just find it a bit hard to believe that KP and Nate were seemingly so blown away while Miller sat there at dinner describing how he knew virtually all the Blazers sets, how to play/defend(??) the Blazers, how to get LMA and Oden 4 to 5 more points apiece per game, et al.

I wouldn't think what Miller said would be revolutionary in any way. I wonder why the Blazers braintrust were so mesmerized by all this?

Interesting, at least, to me.

Some of you just fucking LOVE to complain.

It's fucking astonishing.

 

[OddEnormous]

I have said his like 1000 times, but Portland has a very simplistic offensive set, and it is easy to defend.

54 wins. Second youngest (really the youngest) team in the NBA.

Yes, VERY easy to defend.

You post some absolute garbage mate.

In 2 years this team will be winning 60+ games and you'll still be on hear moaning about this team not winning 70.

 

[ABM]

Some of you just fucking LOVE to complain.

It's f**** astonishing.

Complaining?

How do you get complaining out of something I interpreted as an interesting PR angle?

 

[Idog1976]

He's been deferring to Iguadala at crunch time for a while now, but will take advantage when an opportunity presents itself. I like that this gives Portland another guy who can take his man off the dribble and put pressure/draw fouls on the opponent's Bigs. Being able to draw and dish to Greg and LA should also draw fouls on the opponent's Bigs too... having 1st line opposing Bigs saddled with foul trouble is a good thing. His addition makes Roy more of a jump shooter for most of the game though I'm sure he'll still be the guy with the ball at the top of the key when the game is winding down. I expect Rudy in there instead of Miller when the game is down to a last shot. His addition should diversify Portland's attack and lessen some of the pounding that Brandon takes keeping him fresh for winning time.

STOMP

"You must spread some reputation around before you give it to STOMP again."

Well said on all points!