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Ruh, roh.
http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/10/a...ot-quite-rosy/
Even skeptics chalked up Portland's Andre Miller acquisition as a win. Miller, one of the best distributors of this decade, figured to augment an already lethal Blazers offense while providing a jolt of veteran leadership. Even if you don't believe in the power of savvy, Miller's passing skills sit on a different plane than those of Steve Blake, the in bent.
What Portland probably didn't count on was Miller causing drama ... in the preseason. Blazers coach Nate McMillan has been insisting Blake is the starter for now. But Miller told Yahoo!'s Marc Spears that coming off the bench wasn't a part of the deal when he signed with Portland. And we have a problem.
Here's what Miller says about his perceived role upon signing his three-year, $21 million contract:
"If I was told right out when I had my meetings that I would be a backup, then I wouldn't have come here," Miller told Yahoo! Sports this week.
Back in late August, Miller told Brian T. Smith of The Columbian that he expected to be the starting point guard ... but that he understood it was a spot he'd have to win.
I'm going in there as the starting point guard -- there's nothing else to it. Steve Blake is a great player ... he's done a good job. And I look at it as a challenge. Nothing is handed to you. So I have to go in there with the right at ude, knowing that, this is a point guard spot that is going to have to be battled for. I think I've earned the right in this league as a point guard to be a starter. I just have to go and prove it again.
It seems that going into training camp, Miller knew he wouldn't be handed the job. But perhaps he expected more deference ... like getting the call in the first couple preseason games. (Blake started Portland's first two preseason games, and Miller started the third.)
The starter-reserve problem is the chief problem, as Spears writes, but not the only problem. McMillan had previously told local media that Miller was the only player who failed the team's conditioning test at the start of training camp. Miller says a few players told him privately that they had also failed, but team staff "fixed" their times so that they would not have to suffer a week of extra conditioning work as Miller did.
In Spears's story, Miller also bemoans the lack of respect he commands in the league. You have to wonder if he's still miffed about the low interest he drew as a free agent this summer. And you really have to wonder what all this tension is going to do to the otherwise cordial Blazers roster.
Ruh, roh.
No kobe/sans daddy or 4-1 comment?
No, there ain't nobody takin' shots at Lakerdom so I granted grace.
Lies! Lies! Lies!
So, he didn't say it, lil?
Oh I'm sure he did..... id be frustrated too if I were him and was comming on the team assuming I was the starter. Just going to have to wait and see how this turns out.
That's a good point, he also was way slower then blake in all the tests and blake seems to be wanting it more, as is miller seemed to think (or was told) it would be handed to him.
I don't see how you can fail a fitness test then complain.
You mean Tlong wasn't going to post this story?
tlong stop hiding . comment on the story
Pretty much says it all.
Sounds like Boozer in Utah.
Finally, a good Blazers topic.
That's what he gets for being fat and anti-social.
LOL @ Dre pulling the same crap he did with the Clippers.
He's been trying to cover it up.
Where the 's tlong?
How come tschlong didn't post this article?
Blake over Miller...
A Blazer thread without tlong. Is this a first?
he's on suicide watch
Since Oden, or since Miller?
Wow that's kind of obnoxious of Miller but I can definitely understand the frustration. Still I think its a good move by Nate, it should push both Blake and Miller harder
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