Time to play The Blame Game!

[Boob-No-More]

Everyone. Time to blow it up and start all over!

Nope, the pieces are all here (when healthy). We just need to find a coach that knows how to use them. If Nate has proved one thing this season, it's that he has no idea how to incorporate a dominant center into his offense - and that happened way before, and is much more important to the future success of this team, than any Andre Miller playing time controversay.

BNM

 

[andalusian]

This is all true, except Miller and Roy have played just fine together the last few games. So the idea that Nate was catering to his stars game isn't all that true.

Miller had 3 good individual games. We won 1 of them, thanks to a god-like performance by Roy against a dumb team with a dumb coach (GSW). If this is what happen when Miller plays good - I want to go back to Miller playing like Crap, Roy dominating and us winning a lot.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Miller has proven himself to be a high quality NBA player. If Nate can't figure out how to use him, that speaks volumes about his coaching. (and I say this as someone who used to be a Nate defender)

 

[LittleAlex]

Miller had 3 good individual games. We won 1 of them, thanks to a god-like performance by Roy against a dumb team with a dumb coach (GSW). If this is what happen when Miller plays good - I want to go back to Miller playing like Crap, Roy dominating and us winning a lot.

Miller has started more then 3 games, but if you want to just look at those three be my guest.

 

[LittleAlex]

Um, except for the game where Roy got 6 points total in a loss.

Wow, one game and Miller + Roy sucks?

Look, they have won games with both Miller and Roy starting. They have won more then they have lost. I don't care if Miller has fantastic numbers in those games. The contension was they couldn't play together. Winning games while Miller and Roy start gives lie to that idea.

 

[RagingBull04]

Both. Nate and KP.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Miller had 3 good individual games. We won 1 of them, thanks to a god-like performance by Roy against a dumb team with a dumb coach (GSW). If this is what happen when Miller plays good - I want to go back to Miller playing like Crap, Roy dominating and us winning a lot.

In spite of the recent hearbreaking losses, the Blazers are still 15-6 when Miller starts. This whole idea that Miller and Roy can't play together was total bullshit fabricated to justify starting Blake when he was clearly inferior and quite frankly sucked balls.

BNM

 

[The_Lillard_King]

I blame Juwan Howard.

 

[ehizzy3]

i think the blame goes around to basically everyone....i would type it all out but the points have been hammered..

 

[BlazerBenner]

Do you think there is any communication between Nate and Kp, and the direction or roles they see for the team? On this instance, I lean towards putting the blame on nate, I just think KP should have known that Nate would see Blake as a better fit alongside Brandon, and the offense he wants to run.

More or less, that's it.

As a G.M. you can't micro-manage a season. That's too much interference with a coach. You can "suggest" philosophies. You can question, "how do you see so-and-so's roll". You can give him pieces and "hope he sees things the same way as you do". But, you can't tell him who to play and when, or critique him after one particular loss (the Memphis game being a microcosm of the problem Nate has had in using Andre Miller properly). As a G.M., you also can't let anyone, Brandon Roy, Kobe Bryant (though Roy's no where near that type of talent), or any other player dictate game management.

What Kevin should have done, was get rid of the problem by shipping Blake away from the team, but he had to do that with the approval of Paul Allen, who may not have given it to him after Nate asked Paul Allen that he wanted Blake around.

Kevin then was left between a rock and a hard place, with only respectful suggestions left for him to work with.

There's a power struggle going on between Nate and Kevin. Andre Miller is just a pawn in it. It was going on with Jarrett Jack, whom Kevin wanted played over Blake. Pritchard understands that basketball is a simple game: Either shoot a higher percentage than your opponent or take more shots. Jack got to the foul line. Steve Blake does not. Jack gives up a few more turnovers, but his trips to the foul line opens up easier shots for others by drawing other teams, takes defenders off of the floor with foul trouble, and takes some of the physical pressure off of Roy.

Pritchard succumbed to Nate's wishes and got rid of Jarrett in his pursuit of a better version of Jack, and he got his target, Bayless. But, Nate stuck Bayless at the end of the bench instead of giving him Sergio's minutes, and he tried to turn Bayless into a clone of Blake. Bayless isn't a 3-pt shooter, not last year, not this year, and probably not next year, either. Either way, Nate refuses to even try Pritchard's philosophy of winning basketball.

So, Pritchard got what he thought was a no-brainer as far as someone who would force Nate to put Blake on the bench and reduce his minutes. But, Nate's convinced most of Portland (hometown fans are easy to dupe), along with Roy's support (Roy's gigantic ego can't live with Andre Miller having the ball in his hand as much, while Blake feeds Roy's ego all it needs) that Andre Miller "isn't a good fit both socially and while on the floor with Roy at the same time.

That's all B.S. by Roy and Nate. Outside of Portland and 97% of anyone with half a brain knows that Nate's anal-retentive nature is what this is all about. He can't stand letting anyone other than himself control a play. With Blake and Roy, Nate knows exactly what's going on at all times.

Andre Miller should be pissed off. He should be in yelling at Nate. Nate deserves every bit of criticism he's getting, and a whole lot more. Now Blake's coming back and things are just going to get worse. I wish Blake would just go away, followed by Nate. Roy needs to temper things down, too.

You know, Roy isn't this goody-two-shoes guy he makes himself out to be. He goes to strip clubs (in Seattle) just like most other NBA players. He has his "favorite" girls. He's just smart about it so that it doesn't get in the papers. Roy doens't realize that he'd be a better player with Miller than Roy. His gigantic ego can't let him see that. Roy becomes a better player by getting to the NBA finals. Miller can help get him there. Blake can't.

So here we are ready to jettison the best point guard on the team, the best penetrator of the basketball, the guy that raises the overal Field Goal percentage of the team better than anyone else, just because Nate's anal-retentive and Roy's got a huge ego.

Get rid of Blake, first.

See if Nate changes. If he doesn't, then get rid of Nate.

Pritchard is by far, the best G.M. in the NBA and understands exactly what it takes to win an NBA title, and Allen needs to support that and let him do it and let him get rid of Blake. What the heck is Blake even doing on the team when we have Andre Miller, Brandon Roy, Rudy Fernandez, Jerryd Bayless and Patrick Mills....all players who can handle the ball?

 

[Boob-No-More]

I blame KingSpeed. He's been conspicuous in his absence today amidst all the heated debate. That's so unlike him. I think he's been secretly sending Andre Miller IMs urging him to call out Nate in front of the team and media.

KS is a huge Blake fan. This was just his way to get Miller traded so Blakey can have his starting role back.

BNM

 

[BlazerWookee]

I blame KingSpeed. He's been conspicuous in his absence today amidst all the heated debate. That's so unlike him. I think he's been secretly sending Andre Miller IMs urging him to call out Nate in front of the team and media.

KS is a huge Blake fan. This was just his way to get Miller traded so Blakey can have his starting role back.

BNM

Okay, now THAT was funny!

 

[andalusian]

Miller has started more then 3 games, but if you want to just look at those three be my guest.

Miller was not one of the best players on the court in most of those games. I think that what we can learn is that when Miller blends in, and allows Roy, Bayless or others be the best players on the court - we win. When Miller puts gaudy individual numbers, we lose.

Again, this team wins only 50% of the time that Miller is on the court. For a team that wins at a higher percent overall - this is not a good indication of Miller.

 

[RoyToy]

McMillan for saying every spot is up for grabs and the players who perform the best will start. Then McMillan lied and started Blake.

Nice coaching.

 

[SnakeOiler]

I blame all you m-fers that want and hype drama for basketball team. Bunch of pussies in this forum.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Again, this team wins only 50% of the time that Miller is on the court. For a team that wins at a higher percent overall - this is not a good indication of Miller.

You need to look at more than just that one single number to see the whole picture.

Thanks to Nate's retarded (excuse me, "questionable") line-ups and rotations the bulk of Miller's minutes he's been on the court with Steve Blake. That means at least one of them (and Roy too, if he's on the court with them both) are playing out of position. You need to remember that Win%, like +/- is a TEAM stat, not an individual player stat. It is HIGHLY dependent on who you are playing with, and who you are playing against. Blake has played more minutes next to Roy, Oden, Aldridge, etc. than Miller has (so far). So, it's only natural that his Win% would be higher than Miller's. He benefits from playing with superior players.

If you look at several additional stats, you start to see the whole picture:

PER (from basketball-refernce.com):
Blake = 9.9
Miller = 15.7
Bayless = 14.7
Advantage Miller

Production vs. Opponents (from 82games.com):
Blake: OWN = 11.0, OPP = 14.2, NET = -3.2
Miller: OWN = 16.4, OPP = 14.8, NET = +1.6
Bayless: OWN = 16.4, OPP = 16.2, NET = +0.2
Advantage Miller

Win Shares (from basketball-refernce.com):
Blake = 1.5
Miller = 2.4
Bayless = 1.3
Advantage Miller

Net Points Per 100 Possessions (from 82games.com):
Blake: On Court +4.8, Off Court +5.8, Net -1.5
Miller: On Court +6.9, Off Court +2.3, Net +4.7
Bayless: On Court +7.5, Off Court +3.9, Net +3.6
Advantage Miller

Even though Blake has played more minutes than Miller (59% vs. 57%), the team has outscored their opponents by more (+107 points vs. +72 points) when Miller is on the floor than when Blake is. For the sake of completeness, Bayless has played less than half as many minutes as Blake or Miller (27%) and the team net scoring is +50 points when he's in the game (comparable to Miller's +107 points in 57% of the team's minutes).

Also, the team record with Miller starting is 15-6. With him not starting, it's 7-9. This may be the most important stat of all in Miller's favor - and the ONE stat you think Nate would care most about.

I could continue to site many more stats that show Miller produces more individually than Bayless (slightly) and Blake (greatly) AND that the team does better with Miller on the court, but hopefully this will be enough to get a general overall view of individual and team production for the three players in question.

I really don't think you need all these fancy stats to see that Miller is a better player than Steve Blake. The comparison between Bayless and Miller is much closer, but still slightly in Miller's favor.

BNM

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

I blame the injuries and Nate.

More Miller and less Blake/Bayless = more wins in my opinion.

 

[illmatic99]

16 votes and not one for Miller?

Why should anyone vote for Miller? Dude's been a good PG throughout his career, and has had generally good chemistry with all his teammates on the floor. Isn't it odd that he blows up here?

 

[Boob-No-More]

Maybe it's just my warped sense of humor, but I find it very funny that when you view the poll results, the first person who voted to blame Andre Miller is B-Roy.

How appropriate is that?

BNM

 

[illmatic99]

How appropriate is that?

BNM

Not very.

Roy just had the best month of his career with Miller @ PG. I think he's quite fine with that position and Dre.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Not very.

Roy just had the best month of his career with Miller @ PG. I think he's quite fine with that position and Dre.

Kill joy.

Haven't you heard? Miller and Roy CAN'T co-exist. That was trotted out as a FACT before they ever set foot on the court together and it took one of the WORST months of Steve Blake's career before Nate could even be convinced to TRY starting Roy and Miller together in the backcourt.

BNM

 

[hasoos]

Miller was not one of the best players on the court in most of those games. I think that what we can learn is that when Miller blends in, and allows Roy, Bayless or others be the best players on the court - we win. When Miller puts gaudy individual numbers, we lose.

Again, this team wins only 50% of the time that Miller is on the court. For a team that wins at a higher percent overall - this is not a good indication of Miller.

True, and we all knew that was the Miller we were signing when he came on board. He has been in the league 10 years. He has always been all about attacking the paint and posting up weaker point guards. He has always had problems in games where he gets lazy and just starts shooting 3's and outside shots. He usually seems to have one of those about every 3 or 4 games. The only difference for him really, is his minutes are spotty now. He wasn't going to be the savior. He was a dice throw to be a possible upgrade to Blake. They threw their dice, came up snake eyes, and now it's time to get ready for another throw.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I voted McMillan. Although Miller should take a lot of responsibility also. He likes to give the impression that he's been a good soldier by being quiet. But in fact he has only been quiet with his coach, the guy he should have been talking to. Instead he talks to the press, making little jabs at McMillan and Pritchard.

But Miller is just a player, McMillan is the coach. He knows Miller is unhappy, he needs to have called him into his office and talked with him. The funny thing is, they are both similar, both of them were building up resentments and then it all exploded for both of them. And a coach has got to be better than that; the situation should never get to the point where the coach is saying "I don't give a shit what you think".

I think the situation could still be saved; this IS something that needed to happen. However i think Mc Millan still needs to call him in his office and take some responsibility for his part in not communicating; he needs to say I DO give a shit what you think. He needs to say maybe this isn't an ideal situation for you and this team but let's work together to optimize your value to the team.

 

[KingSpeed]

Whoa. Is this a new feature? Showing who voted for each option? Cool.

 

[KingSpeed]

Oh and my answer is: Don't have enough info to make such a judgment.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Miller has proven himself to be a high quality NBA player. If Nate can't figure out how to use him, that speaks volumes about his coaching. (and I say this as someone who used to be a Nate defender)

+1, but I still voted for KP, because the signing is ultimately his responsibility, and if he wanted him then it implies that he either A) wanted to alter the team's methodical style of play and make it more dynamic, or B) is bad at understanding that making a point guard (or any wing for that matter) with no jump shot a weakside, off-the-ball player is idiotic.

 

[BrianFromWA]

or c) caving to coach on personnel matters again.

As everybody knows, Andre Miller was not the Blazers first choice in the free agent market. But from Day 1 of the offseason, he was the No. 1 choice of coach Nate McMillan.
"Our coach is very happy,'' general manager Kevin Pritchard said.
McMillan said he felt an instant connection with the free agent point guard.
"I felt like I kind of knew him already,'' McMillan said. "Because in a sense, we were similar as players, as far as not being great scorers or shooters, but we made our teams better because of our feel for the game and our I.Q.''

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/07/blazers_notebook_miller_was_mc.html

Granted, it's Quick, so take it with a grain of salt. But Nate knew Andre wasn't a shooter and still set up him the way he has.

 

[Nikolokolus]

More or less, that's it.

As a G.M. you can't micro-manage a season. That's too much interference with a coach. You can "suggest" philosophies. You can question, "how do you see so-and-so's roll". You can give him pieces and "hope he sees things the same way as you do". But, you can't tell him who to play and when, or critique him after one particular loss (the Memphis game being a microcosm of the problem Nate has had in using Andre Miller properly). As a G.M., you also can't let anyone, Brandon Roy, Kobe Bryant (though Roy's no where near that type of talent), or any other player dictate game management.

What Kevin should have done, was get rid of the problem by shipping Blake away from the team, but he had to do that with the approval of Paul Allen, who may not have given it to him after Nate asked Paul Allen that he wanted Blake around.

Kevin then was left between a rock and a hard place, with only respectful suggestions left for him to work with.

There's a power struggle going on between Nate and Kevin. Andre Miller is just a pawn in it. It was going on with Jarrett Jack, whom Kevin wanted played over Blake. Pritchard understands that basketball is a simple game: Either shoot a higher percentage than your opponent or take more shots. Jack got to the foul line. Steve Blake does not. Jack gives up a few more turnovers, but his trips to the foul line opens up easier shots for others by drawing other teams, takes defenders off of the floor with foul trouble, and takes some of the physical pressure off of Roy.

Pritchard succumbed to Nate's wishes and got rid of Jarrett in his pursuit of a better version of Jack, and he got his target, Bayless. But, Nate stuck Bayless at the end of the bench instead of giving him Sergio's minutes, and he tried to turn Bayless into a clone of Blake. Bayless isn't a 3-pt shooter, not last year, not this year, and probably not next year, either. Either way, Nate refuses to even try Pritchard's philosophy of winning basketball.

So, Pritchard got what he thought was a no-brainer as far as someone who would force Nate to put Blake on the bench and reduce his minutes. But, Nate's convinced most of Portland (hometown fans are easy to dupe), along with Roy's support (Roy's gigantic ego can't live with Andre Miller having the ball in his hand as much, while Blake feeds Roy's ego all it needs) that Andre Miller "isn't a good fit both socially and while on the floor with Roy at the same time.

That's all B.S. by Roy and Nate. Outside of Portland and 97% of anyone with half a brain knows that Nate's anal-retentive nature is what this is all about. He can't stand letting anyone other than himself control a play. With Blake and Roy, Nate knows exactly what's going on at all times.

Andre Miller should be pissed off. He should be in yelling at Nate. Nate deserves every bit of criticism he's getting, and a whole lot more. Now Blake's coming back and things are just going to get worse. I wish Blake would just go away, followed by Nate. Roy needs to temper things down, too.

You know, Roy isn't this goody-two-shoes guy he makes himself out to be. He goes to strip clubs (in Seattle) just like most other NBA players. He has his "favorite" girls. He's just smart about it so that it doesn't get in the papers. Roy doens't realize that he'd be a better player with Miller than Roy. His gigantic ego can't let him see that. Roy becomes a better player by getting to the NBA finals. Miller can help get him there. Blake can't.

So here we are ready to jettison the best point guard on the team, the best penetrator of the basketball, the guy that raises the overal Field Goal percentage of the team better than anyone else, just because Nate's anal-retentive and Roy's got a huge ego.

Get rid of Blake, first.

See if Nate changes. If he doesn't, then get rid of Nate.

Pritchard is by far, the best G.M. in the NBA and understands exactly what it takes to win an NBA title, and Allen needs to support that and let him do it and let him get rid of Blake. What the heck is Blake even doing on the team when we have Andre Miller, Brandon Roy, Rudy Fernandez, Jerryd Bayless and Patrick Mills....all players who can handle the ball?

R.C. Buford, Mitch Kupchak, Daryl Morey, Mark Warkentien, Joe Dumars and Sam Presti (amongst others) would all like to dispute this.

KP made the decision to carry 4 point guards into this season, KP is the one who talks constantly about being super active and having to force himself to sit on his hands when in fact there is a pretty good body of evidence that all of this supposed "activity" is little more than talking a good game backed up with not a whole lot of moves aside from drafting some really nice players who may or may not fit all that well together. No disrespect, but I need to see a whole helluva lot more from KP before I'd even dare to call him a top ten executive in the league, let alone the best in the biz.

 

[jlprk]

All 3 levels--player, coach, and GM.

It's Miller's fault because he's limited in his outside shot. It's McMillan's fault because he's limited to slowdown isolations and can't use any other kind of player. It's Pritchard's fault because he's limited in his trading ability, so he can't acquire the players to fit a limited coach.

Of all these limited people, I voted to blame the top, Pritchard, because ultimately it's his responsibility, because he has the most authority, to change things. (Another reason is that he has a lot fewer votes than McMillan, to even it out...)

 

[BrianFromWA]

Whoa. Is this a new feature? Showing who voted for each option? Cool.

If you're serious, there's a box to check when you make a poll that says something to the effect of "Make Poll Public". If you're not, I just got rolled.