The other side of the story.

[RoyIsClutch07]

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/10/trail_blazers_andre_miller_and.html

An interesting read, but this part in particular caught my eye.



I wondered if there would be any fallout from Quick "peeking between the blinds" and illicitly copying times from the conditioning test that got left on a grease board. I'm not saying the recent clusterfuck surrounding Miller's comments to Marc Spears is necessarily all JQ's fault, but I've thought for awhile that Mr. Quick has had some serious bromance going on for Steve Blake and you wonder if the conditioning test results and the media obsession over Miller's personal habits and off-court behavior might have some repercussions -- Sort of a "Welcome to Portland you lazy bum, fuck. Would you like to comment on why you are so reclusive and haven't been taking long walks along the Willamette with Brandon Roy?"

Who knows what the real reason Miller popped off to Spears was, but I tend to think he was entitled to set the story straight and at least attempt to get his side of the story out there.

For me it's just more evidence that Quick is good at just a couple of things: stirring the pot, and writing stories about who let the biggest ass bomb in the locker room.

I kind of feel bad for him. He has only been in town a few weeks and this is how we welcome him. He is just in some of the things he talks about. The reporters are responsible for any news that is leaked about him. And they have been one sided. They haven't helped his cause at all.

 

[PapaG]

I dont blame Miller for being a little pissed about the conditioning test results being made public. Make it public AFTER all the players have passed the test with a simple article saying that everyone has passed it and leave out the details of how many times it took each player to pass it.

We've known in year's past who failed the test (Outlaw). If Miller is embarrassed about coming into camp out of shape, he needs to get over it.

 

[magnifier661]

For me it's just more evidence that Quick is good at just a couple of things: stirring the pot, and writing stories about who let the biggest ass bomb in the locker room.

LOL. Okay that was funny! But I wrote this in the o-live room.

"As much as I may dislike what some of the columnist say about the Blazers, and believe me there is a ton I disagree with, I know it's their job.

Blazer fans are so involved and loyal to their team, almost to a fault. Because of that, they want to know every little detail and wins and losses are almost feel like "THEY LOST". I am one of those types.

With that said, the beat writers try to find everything about each player, so "us fans" will "tune in". Sometimes they write about something silly and us fans run with it. But it's honestly our fault for going too deeply into a comment made. Can't say I blame any media for that one."

I really think this applies.

 

[BIG Q]

I kind of feel bad for him. He has only been in town a few weeks and this is how we welcome him. He is just in some of the things he talks about. The reporters are responsible for any news that is leaked about him. And they have been one sided. They haven't helped his cause at all.

You are clearly wrong on this. Quick, Freeman and the new guy at the Columbian have all been quite clear that Miller is hands down a better PG than Blake. I think there is little debate on that subject even amongst us fans.

Where there is debate is if he fits with Roy, will that be offset by how much he feeds Oden and if he fits the culture of team before individual.

This is all about Miller letting his feelings be hurt because Jason Quick did his job and reported who passed and failed the run test just as he has done every year. I do not recall Jamal Mcgloire pissing and moaning about Quick reporting that he had failed the test and he was new to the team just as Miller is.

Freeman was doing his job when reporting that Miller is an introvert that socializes little with the players and has even less interaction with the fans. This is news because besides Joel all the other players are very social. There is always a "get to know the new guy" piece in the paper. If Miller thinks it reflects poorly on him in the paper that he is an introvert maybe he should try being more affable. Otherwise let the truth stand, which is he is an introvert. He needs to quit being a baby, that is all.

 

[MrSelfDestruct]

He needs to quit being a baby, that is all.

Or perhaps he isn't used to being in a city like Portland with no other teams for the local media to cover. I'm telling you right now, that the sports coverage in Seattle is NOTHING like it is in Portland. The Blazers are under such a microscope it's completely laughable. Don't get me wrong, I love the Blazers, but I don't need to know what they would want on desert island or what they do on their days off. The Portland media needs to realize sometimes less is more.

 

[LittleAlex]

What else is new. Quick loves controversy. It makes for better viewership.

Plus he is a big time Blake guy.

I remember last year during one of those podcasts Quick does he took time out to go on a rant deriding folks who thought Blake was a bad point guard.

 

[BenDavis503]

I am starting to not like Miller. Yeah, he is a good player and all that. But chemistry is what I always talk about. I get flamed a lot for it. People tell me chemistry doesn't exist in teams. But here it is right before our eyes.

I hope mixum doesn't have the last laugh @ -54 because of Millers prima donna attitude.

I hope I am wrong. But Miller is starting to look like a bad signing.

 

[BenDavis503]

How many years in a row has the conditioning test been made public? However I must admit I was surprised at how they specifically pointed out that Miller was the only player with a guaranteed contract to not pass the test.

Yeah. And then Miller says 4 players told him their times were fixed to make it look like they passed?!??!! wtf !!! Why would Nate do that?!

 

[Nikolokolus]

Plus he is a big time Blake guy.

I remember last year during one of those podcasts Quick does he took time out to go on a rant deriding folks who thought Blake was a bad point guard.

Ugh, the way Quick sucks off Steve Blake and tries to make him into something he isn't drives me nuts. I like Blake for what he should be (a high quality reserve point guard), but he's neither dynamic enough or physically gifted enough (read big enough) to hang for 30 minutes a night 82 games a year (not even counting the playoffs).

People constantly bring up Derrick Fisher as a comparison because they both like to spot up and take 3s, the big difference between the two is that Fisher is a big body who can get through a pick and used to be a pretty good defender at his position, something Steve has never been.

 

[Foulzilla]

Yeah. And then Miller says 4 players told him their times were fixed to make it look like they passed?!??!! wtf !!! Why would Nate do that?!

I wonder if this is merely a misunderstanding. I can't imagine Nate actually doing that. Perhaps this is merely a case of Miller not being aware that the "pass" time is different based on position, and he saw 4 people who took longer than him (but were Centers or something so actually passed).

 

[BIG Q]

I wonder if this is merely a misunderstanding. I can't imagine Nate actually doing that. Perhaps this is merely a case of Miller not being aware that the "pass" time is different based on position, and he saw 4 people who took longer than him (but were Centers or something so actually passed).

Which is entirely possible. But it does not dismiss the fact that if what you surmise is true, why would Miller rant like a little kid, throwing the coach under the bus if he did not know what times centers and forwards needed? On a new team he probably should have kept his yapper shut like he claims he prefers to do. Ask the coach why other players had their times "fixed" and he did not. Do not run to the national press and state your grievance. That is handled in house, and lets face it, Nate did not "fix" any players time.

 

[BenDavis503]

I wonder if this is merely a misunderstanding. I can't imagine Nate actually doing that. Perhaps this is merely a case of Miller not being aware that the "pass" time is different based on position, and he saw 4 people who took longer than him (but were Centers or something so actually passed).

You are probably right. But I just remember reading about 4 players not making it in time either. It was on this forum too so it has to be true, right?! lol