Who's the leader of the Blazers?

[The Gemini Method]

This is a good thread.

To this point, no Blazer has stood out as the leader of the team; if there is one, it's the head coach.

Miller is new in this team, so he may establish himself as the leader in a few months

But to echo that phrase, "Leaders are born, not made." seems to be in play for Miller. Look at everywhere he's been and it is hard to say he's been an actual leader in any of the locker rooms/courts he's had the privilege to play on. I don't see him being that type of player in which he develops a sense of leadership. Maybe a little, but definitely not a whole lot.

Or, this could all just be hubris and the Blazers aren't really that good...

[SenorSpur]

Andre Miller's the odd man out.

Blazers (finally) brought in a veteran player; something they should have done 2 seasons ago.

But Andre Miller is a veteran player

• That is unfriendly
• Hasn't won any rings
• Is only a decent point guard
• Can't shoot
• Hasn't brought any wins to Portland
• None of these young dudes grew up wanting to be Andre Miller

Brandon Roy feels like he's making "the biggest sacrifice" on the team. He only feels this way because he doesn't respect Miller's game.

This Andre Miller era isn't going to end well; Blazers would have been better off bringing in Iverson.

Agree to a point. Certainly if Miller had some playoff or championship "skins on the wall", the respect would be there. However, it's unfair to lay on this on Miller.

After all, it was Pritchard who brought the guy in, with the blessings of McMillian. It was McMillian who had been pining away for a veteran player (PG) for about 3 seasons now. In fact, upon Miller's arrival, Nate marveled how seamlessly he took over the PG duties, with very little instruction or coaching needed. Nate even hinted that he would consider loosening the play-calling reigns a bit. Of course, it hasn't happened.

Seeing as how Miller was only the Blazers 3rd choice in free agency, the fact that they signed him so quickly smacks as a desparate, face-saving move by a GM and coach, who were surprisingly spurned by two considerably, more attractive free agents.

It looks like both GM and coach failed to do their homework and examine just how Miller would fit in with their program. All of the characteristics about Miller (good and bad) are well-do ented and have been out there for years.

Miller may be a bad fit, but I certainly don't agree that Iverson would be a better fit. In fact, quite the contrary. Miller has his flaws, but at least he IS a true point guard. If you think Roy is ing about touches and team chemistry now, I guarantee you that he, Aldridge, Oden and the rest of the bunch would be ing a heckuva lot more because of considerably fewer touches, if AI were on the team.

[lefty]

But to echo that phrase, "Leaders are born, not made." seems to be in play for Miller. Look at everywhere he's been and it is hard to say he's been an actual leader in any of the locker rooms/courts he's had the privilege to play on. I don't see him being that type of player in which he develops a sense of leadership. Maybe a little, but definitely not a whole lot.

Or, this could all just be hubris and the Blazers aren't really that good...

Good point, but Miller had never been on such a young team (not considering Oden) before, so it might play out well for him

[SenorSpur]

Yep. It was all fine while they were all on their rookie deals. The values of the extensions this past summer designated Roy as the Franchise player and LMA as the Sidekick. Oden's extension will come this summer. Does he get max money, too and become a Co-Franchise player? How will LMA react to third star status?

Others have said it, but they really blew it with the Miller signing. They had a one-time chance to use cap space in the summer between the end of most of the Jailblazer contracts and the beginning of the new player extensions. The cutthroat move would have been to offer Hedo's deal to Odom. Even if he decided to stay with the Lakers, the move would have at least forced Buss to dig much deeper than he wanted to. Instead, they forced the Jazz to dig deep, only the Jazz don't stand between the Blazers and a championship.

The question for the Blazers now becomes:

Can the Roy/LMA/Oden core catch the Kobe/Gasol/Bynum Lakers before the Durant/Green/Westbrook/Harden core catches the Blazers?

I would bet against that proposition.

Now THAT would've been both cutthroat and pimpish. In fact, as adept as he's been at trying to undercut the compe ion, I'm surprised that -ass GM (Pritchard) didn't go after Odom. I really assumed he would.

[IronMexican]

rocketfan thread for rockets to other NBA teams must be like 1 to 5.

[Allanon]

Agree to a point. Certainly if Miller had some playoff or championship "skins on the wall", the respect would be there. However, it's unfair to lay on this on Miller.

After all, it was Pritchard who brought the guy in, with the blessings of McMillian. It was McMillian who had been pining away for a veteran player (PG) for about 3 seasons now. In fact, upon Miller's arrival, Nate marveled how seamlessly he took over the PG duties, with very little instruction or coaching needed. Nate even hinted that he would consider loosening the play-calling reigns a bit. Of course, it hasn't happened.

Seeing as how Miller was only the Blazers 3rd choice in free agency, the fact that they signed him so quickly smacks as a desparate, face-saving move by a GM and coach, who were surprisingly spurned by two considerably, more attractive free agents.

It looks like both GM and coach failed to do their homework and examine just how Miller would fit in with their program. All of the characteristics about Miller (good and bad) are well-do ented and have been out there for years.

I certainly agree with you. It's not Miller's fault that he's in this situation other than him signing on the dotted line. He's a bad fit but it's the Blazers desperation in getting some/any kind of veteran leadership that got them in this mess. They got a veteran but not a leader.

Miller may be a bad fit, but I certainly don't agree that Iverson would be a better fit. In fact, quite the contrary. Miller has his flaws, but at least he IS a true point guard. If you think Roy is ing about touches and team chemistry now, I guarantee you that he, Aldridge, Oden and the rest of the bunch would be ing a heckuva lot more because of considerably fewer touches, if AI were on the team.

Winning cures everything. It's not a sacrifice when you're winning, only when you're losing.

AI would have brought wins, a more vocal edge and these young Blazers probably grew up idolizing AI. It's one thing to sacrifice for a above average PG while it's a whole different story to sacrifice to a future HoF'er.

It's ok taking a back seat to Allen Iverson, but it's hard for a guy like Roy to make sacrifices for Steve Blake and Andre Miller.

I can see your point though, AI might have been a bad fit too.

[IronMexican]

Or maybe just rockets to the Lakers and Blazers is 1 to 5

[SenorSpur]

Damn solid Post.

If it were me, I'd keep Oden, Rudy, Batum, etc and jettison LMA & Roy to Cleveland for LeBron.

Now that would definitely be a delicious coup. Of course, it wont happen.

[SenorSpur]

I certainly agree with you. It's not Miller's fault that he's in this situation other than him signing on the dotted line. He's a bad fit but it's the Blazers desperation in getting some/any kind of veteran leadership. They got a veteran but not a leader.



Winning cures everything. It's not a sacrifice when you're winning, only when you're losing.

AI would have brought wins, a more vocal edge and these young Blazers probably grew up idolizing AI. It's one thing to sacrifice for a above average PG while it's a whole different story to sacrifice to a future HoF'er.

It's ok taking a back seat to Allen Iverson, but it's hard for a guy like Roy to make sacrifices for Steve Blake and Andre Miller.

. Good points - all of them.

Ah, but remember Brandon Roy. Since his rookie year, he's been pimped by the ownership, management and coaching staff as the "new face of the Blazers", their lone All-star and the future of their team. Furthermore, the club has invested max money in him to prove it.

I just think as surprisingly arrogant as Roy has become, I can't see him willing to take a back seat to anyone - even Iverson.

[Allanon]

. Good points - all of them.

Ah, but remember Brandon Roy. Since his rookie year, he's been pimped by the ownership, management and coaching staff as the "new face of the Blazers", their lone All-star and the future of their team. Furthermore, the club has invested max money in him to prove it.

I just think as surprisingly arrogant as Roy has become, I can't see him willing to take a back seat to anyone - even Iverson.

I see your point about Roy. I'm kind of surprised he's taking this new tone this year. He's always been more of a laid back non-egotistical player.

He's changed over the summer, I'm starting to hear alot more about what "I" have to do or what "I" am sacrificing.

[TwinTowers]

He's changed over the summer, I'm starting to hear alot more about what "I" have to do or what "I" am sacrificing.

That's what happens when teams give max contracts to players that haven't done anything to deserve that kind of money.

[Spursmania]

I see your point about Roy. I'm kind of surprised he's taking this new tone this year. He's always been more of a laid back non-egotistical player.

He's changed over the summer, I'm starting to hear alot more about what "I" have to do or what "I" am sacrificing.

I guess his true colors are showing.

[Mel_13]

Yep. It was all fine while they were all on their rookie deals. The values of the extensions this past summer designated Roy as the Franchise player and LMA as the Sidekick. Oden's extension will come this summer. Does he get max money, too and become a Co-Franchise player? How will LMA react to third star status?

Others have said it, but they really blew it with the Miller signing. They had a one-time chance to use cap space in the summer between the end of most of the Jailblazer contracts and the beginning of the new player extensions. The cutthroat move would have been to offer Hedo's deal to Odom. Even if he decided to stay with the Lakers, the move would have at least forced Buss to dig much deeper than he wanted to. Instead, they forced the Jazz to dig deep, only the Jazz don't stand between the Blazers and a championship.

The question for the Blazers now becomes:

Can the Roy/LMA/Oden core catch the Kobe/Gasol/Bynum Lakers before the Durant/Green/Westbrook/Harden core catches the Blazers?

I would bet against that proposition.