Andre Miller signs with Blazers

[MaNu4Tres]

A good thing for other teams. Roy in the pick-and-roll is deadly. The Spurs still haven't figured out how to guard the Roy/Aldridge pick-and-rolls.

I really hope they listen to your advice and move him off the ball. Give it to Miller as much as possible. Good ideas.

I agree. My point exactly but you explained it better.

[DPG21920]

A good thing for other teams. Roy in the pick-and-roll is deadly. The Spurs still haven't figured out how to guard the Roy/Aldridge pick-and-rolls.

I really hope they listen to your advice and move him off the ball. Give it to Miller as much as possible. Good ideas.

Twisting words. I did not say just let Roy stand there. I said the BLAZERS seem to be looking for players that can initiate offense (Hedo/Miller) so they can have more options.

They will not be taking shots from Roy and just because Miller is bringing the ball up, does not mean you cannot get Roy into the same p&r situations.

[MaNu4Tres]

They will not be taking shots from Roy and just because Miller is bringing the ball up, does not mean you cannot get Roy into the same p&r situations.

But you do understand that when Roy has the ball in P&R situations that Miller will then be a spot up shooter correct? Something he is not good at. That is the point. Roy is their play-maker with or without Miller.

[DPG21920]

But you do understand that when Roy has the ball in P&R situations that Miller will then be a spot up shooter correct? Something he is not good at. That is the point. Roy is their play-maker with or without Miller.

I think they are looking for him to get to the paint not stand at the 3 point line. But there definitely can be some spacing issues. I think it is a better fit than you are saying, but I can see some issues. Just seems like the Blazers were looking for an upgrade in ball handling over Blake and that would lead one to believe Roy would not initiate as much; don't know if that is a good or bad idea yet.

[JamStone]

Thought this was the move they should have made to begin with. I didn't think Hedo would have been that great with them anyway. I think the Blazers probably do want to push the ball up a little bit more, and Miller will help with that. If both McMillan and Miller are smart, they will still run much of their offense through Brandon Roy. Miller has very little range on his jumper, but he can still hit a midrange jumper adequately and can back-down smaller opposing guards so he does offer some different things in place of long range shooting. Plus, Brandon Roy will still have the ball in his hands at the end of close games when it matters most. If it offers Roy some help and rest along the way during games and throughout the season, I think that's a plus even at the expense of not having Roy touch the ball every single possession. Plus, despite his age and decline, Miller is an upgrade defensively over Steve Blake. Smart teams that had the mismatch would and should exploit Steve Blake every single possession. Miller is not a beast defensively, but he will be an upgrade, and maybe even a significant one. It's not like the Blazers lack for outside shooting with Roy and Aldridge, Fernandez, and Outlaw. I like the move for the Blazers, even if it ultimately is the last gasp desperation move for Pritchard. I like it better than Hedo or Millsap.

[JamStone]

But you do understand that when Roy has the ball in P&R situations that Miller will then be a spot up shooter correct? Something he is not good at. That is the point. Roy is their play-maker with or without Miller.

There are counters to every play in basketball.

In that PNR situation, you have make sure Outlaw or Fernandez is on the strong side where the help defense would come so they are the kick-out. You plant Andre Miller on the weak side for a baseline midrange jumper, which he is capable of shooting and making. It's not like there aren't counters or designs McMillan can't come up with to make up for the fact that Andre Miller isn't a great three point shooter.

[DPG21920]

Thought this was the move they should have made to begin with. I didn't think Hedo would have been that great with them anyway. I think the Blazers probably do want to push the ball up a little bit more, and Miller will help with that. If both McMillan and Miller are smart, they will still run much of their offense through Brandon Roy. Miller has very little range on his jumper, but he can still hit a midrange jumper adequately and can back-down smaller opposing guards so he does offer some different things in place of long range shooting. Plus, Brandon Roy will still have the ball in his hands at the end of close games when it matters most. If it offers Roy some help and rest along the way during games and throughout the season, I think that's a plus even at the expense of not having Roy touch the ball every single possession. Plus, despite his age and decline, Miller is an upgrade defensively over Steve Blake. Smart teams that had the mismatch would and should exploit Steve Blake every single possession. Miller is not a beast defensively, but he will be an upgrade, and maybe even a significant one. It's not like the Blazers lack for outside shooting with Roy and Aldridge, Fernandez, and Outlaw. I like the move for the Blazers, even if it ultimately is the last gasp desperation move for Pritchard. I like it better than Hedo or Millsap.

Pretty much this. There are definitely some holes (that have been mentioned) but from what it appears the Blazers were trying to accomplish, Miller seems to fit.

[HarlemHeat37]

I also like it better than Turkoglu or Millsap, although it isn't a great signing or anything..Portland wasn't going to acquire anybody better than Miller for their team right now, there isn't anybody that would have fit..they also desperately wanted to use their cap space before everything else kicks in, so it makes sense..

Miller is better than Blake in every aspect other than shooting, so it's good IMO..it also looks like they'll be making a follow-up trade IMO, so we'll see how that turns out..

it doesn't hurt to add more size and leadership to a young team that has been considered soft by many..

at the end of the day, Portland's success now and in the future will depend on Oden..

[Dunc n Dave]

I think this makes them better, although not by much. It allows Roy to conserve some energy. Roy can be just as effective as a spot up shooter or coming off screens from time to time as he can dribbling around and creating. He becomes kinda like Manu in that aspect. He plays off the ball can catch,pumpfake, and drive where he is a danger to score or pass.
When Miller sits, Roy moves over to PG. Miller will help Roy become a better scorer, which is what they need from him and Aldridge.

[lil_penny]

This is the deal I have been wanting for.. wasn't much of a fan of the hedo or millsap attempts(both good players but didn't fit this team).. this is where we needed some leadership the most I believe.. blazers know what they are getting from miller.. and he's pretty durable also.

[MaNu4Tres]

Pretty much this. There are definitely some holes (that have been mentioned) but from what it appears the Blazers were trying to accomplish, Miller seems to fit.

This is what message boards are for. To voice our own respective opinions. I understand where your coming from because obviously Miller is the better player than Blake. I just don't think he fits as good as some may believe.

[timvp]

I said the BLAZERS seem to be looking for players that can initiate offense (Hedo/Miller) so they can have more options.

Millsap initiates offense?

Anyways, we'll see how this plays out. I don't think it's a very good fit and i doubt it improves the Blazers much beyond first round fodder. Miller is going to a system that will highlight his weaknesses. The Blazers know this and that is why he was about their 20th option this summer.

[MaNu4Tres]

There are counters to every play in basketball.

In that PNR situation, you have make sure Outlaw or Fernandez is on the strong side where the help defense would come so they are the kick-out. You plant Andre Miller on the weak side for a baseline midrange jumper, which he is capable of shooting and making. It's not like there aren't counters or designs McMillan can't come up with to make up for the fact that Andre Miller isn't a great three point shooter.

That's not the point the point is Miller is what he is by having the ball in his hands in half court sets. He has lived up to his reputation from his early years in Cleveland by always being the main ball-handler/ creator on his team. In Portland Brandon Roy is their best weapon with the ball ( Even with the addition of Miller), therefore Miller won't be as effective.

If they try to make Miller effective by putting the ball in his hands, then your doing the opposition a favor by taking the ball out of Roy's hands which timvp mentioned earlier.

[DPG21920]

If motivated that will be a nice addition and give them some size (Miller/Roy) in the back court. It was their biggest need in my opinion (with more rebounding upfront as a close second) and Miller fits very well.

Millsap initiates offense?

Anyways, we'll see how this plays out. I don't think it's a very good fit and i doubt it improves the Blazers much beyond first round fodder. Miller is going to a system that will highlight his weaknesses. The Blazers know this and that is why he was about their 20th option this summer.

Wow. How ridiculous. Obviously not. The Blazers have a few needs and they went after Hedo first. Millsap filled another need and they probably said that Millsap filling one of the major needs was the best value after Hedo. Then they went to Miller.

[MaNu4Tres]

miller is going to a system that will highlight his weaknesses. The blazers know this and that is why he was about their 20th option this summer.

+1

[HarlemHeat37]

The Blazers doesn't really have a "set system" though..they definitely play too slow, and McMillan has that kind of history, but it's not like they've had success with this current system, so I'm sure he'll be open for adjustments..

again, it depends on Oden..if he's healthy, he should be mobile enough to combine with Aldridge to give Portland an athletic frontcourt that can run..that would probably make McMillan quicken the pace of his team..if not, he'll probably be out, at least IMO..

[Lars]

I dont like it.

Portland needs a shooting PG with an emphasis on defense who can move off the ball, while Roy dominates the ball. They should of gotten a younger guard who can grow with the team.

Miller is not a good shooter, not good on defense, and not young. Terrible acqusition in my opinion. He can set up the offense and penetrate, which is redundant because Roy can do both of those things better.

I guess he could be a veteran voice on a young team and help groom Blayless, but still doesnt make sense to me.

[Dunc n Dave]

The Blazers doesn't really have a "set system" though..they definitely play too slow, and McMillan has that kind of history, but it's not like they've had success with this current system, so I'm sure he'll be open for adjustments..

again, it depends on Oden..if he's healthy, he should be mobile enough to combine with Aldridge to give Portland an athletic frontcourt that can run..that would probably make McMillan quicken the pace of his team..if not, he'll probably be out, at least IMO..

Would you try to play fast with Steve Blake running the show? I'd slow it down too. Now with Miller, they can speed things up and use those athletes they have like Roy/Aldridge/Batum/Outlaw/etc on the break.

[KSeal]

I don't think KP really knows what the his team needs. First he goes after a SF, gets denied, then a PF, gets denied and not finally he gets what he should have been going after in the first place. But I'm not sure Miller is the right guy.

[MaNu4Tres]

Would you try to play fast with Steve Blake running the show? I'd slow it down too. Now with Miller, they can speed things up and use those athletes they have like Roy/Aldridge/Batum/Outlaw/etc on the break.

Your playing with fire if you try to speed the game up. If you have noticed not one team that runs and guns has won a le in the past 18 years.

Running and gunning, picking up the pace ( ala Suns/ Mavs of mid 2000's) only leads to poor shots. Even though more shots are attempted. (Which becomes detrimental when they play teams who practice and preach efficiency offensively as they get more attempts due to the reckless style of fast paced play by the teams that run and gun).

McMillan is more of a Popovich style of coach where efficiency is prioritized offensively and has a big emphasis on defense. I doubt McMillan goes to the " run and gun" style just because they signed a new point guard.

[DPG21920]

You can pick up the pace and not be a "run and gun" team. The Lakers are not the Suns, yet they play at an accelerated pace with the option to slow it down and they won a le and were the best offense in basketball.

Picking up the pace does not mean SSOL.

[MaNu4Tres]

You can pick up the pace and not be a "run and gun" team. The Lakers are not the Suns, yet they play at an accelerated pace with the option to slow it down and they won a le and were the best offense in basketball.

Picking up the pace does not mean SSOL.

Lakers never forced the issue offensively by pushing it. The only time they pushed it was when they either a) blocked a shot b) deflected a pass in the passing lane defensively or c) got a steal. ( Which is what the Blazers do and any smart team does already, including the Spurs).

That style is entirely different than the style others are trying to say the Blazers will do with Miller now.

[DPG21920]

Lakers never forced the issue offensively by pushing it. The only time they pushed it was when they either a) blocked a shot b) deflected a pass in the passing lane defensively or c) got a steal. ( Which is what the Blazers do and any smart team does already, including the Spurs).

That style is entirely different than the style others are trying to say the Blazers will do with Miller now.

What? You can see Phil all game telling his guys to push the ball up the court.

[MaNu4Tres]

What? You can see Phil all game telling his guys to push the ball up the court.

When warranted yes. There's a fine line in pushing the ball up the court and saying a team "needs to run a fast paced game now with Andre Miller".

Lakers push the ball up the court to get into their sets quicker, which means they still are running a half court offense. The only times where they took quick shots was in transition from plays on the defensive end. That kind of style is totally different than what I understood by others saying " portland needs to run a fast paced game now with Andre Miller".

[JamStone]

That's not the point

Then why did you say it was the point in that previous post?

But you do understand that when Roy has the ball in P&R situations that Miller will then be a spot up shooter correct? Something he is not good at. That is the point. Roy is their play-maker with or without Miller.

But apparently now, it isn't the point.

the point is Miller is what he is by having the ball in his hands in half court sets. He has lived up to his reputation from his early years in Cleveland by always being the main ball-handler/ creator on his team. In Portland Brandon Roy is their best weapon with the ball ( Even with the addition of Miller), therefore Miller won't be as effective.

You act as if Miller hasn't been playing with a versatile, playmaking shooting guard/small forward for the last 2 1/2 seasons. Iguodala is similar to Roy in that he's a wing player with point guard abilities. Iguodala was still able to average over 5 assists a game playing next to Miller, sharing play making abilities. Miller was still effective. Both Roy and Aldridge are both athletic enough to run in a more uptempo style, and the young Blazers like Fernandez, Bayless, Outlaw, Batum certainly are as well.

Will Miller be perfect in half court sets? No, but he doesn't need to be perfect. He needs to be able to make good decisions and hit an open midrange jumper, something he's capable of. Plus, again, while he's not a great long range jump shooter, he can offer other things like posting up smaller guards and making good passes on back-door cuts and alley-oops. Some of you are under the impression Andre Miller can do absolutely nothing in a half court set. That's exaggerating quite a bit. He's been in the league for quite a while. He's faced defenses that have forced his teams to run half court sets. He wouldn't still be in the league at his age if he was completely incapable of running a half court set.

If they try to make Miller effective by putting the ball in his hands, then your doing the opposition a favor by taking the ball out of Roy's hands which timvp mentioned earlier.

They will share the responsibility of play making. To think it isn't helpful for Brandon Roy to have another playmaker alongside him, especially to help when he's out of the game, is naive. There were a lot of times last year, Nate McMillan cut Roy's break short because the team was falling apart. Having Miller helps him there. You don't have to take the ball out of Roy's hands for Miller to play well. You just allow Roy to not have to be the complete focal point of the offense like 95% of the time. That is a good thing.