Hello Basketball World!
It’s that time of year again. It’s been a busy off-season with a number of big name players changing zip codes. The Lakers’ Cavs’, Celtics’, Magic’s and Spurs’ respective acquisitions of Artest, Shaq, Rasheed, Vince, and RJ have made headlines from coast to coast. Justifiably so.
However, to start the season, its the pacific northwest that’s got my attention. I can’t wait to see what 16 pts, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals per game will do for Brandon Roy and the Portland Trailblazers. We’re about to find out in the form of Andre Miller.
Similar to the value the Cavs found in acquiring Mo Williams last off-season, the Blazers have added a real soldier to their roster. Miller is just what the doctor ordered for the Blazers. Unlike manny of the other big names on the move this off-season, Miller is in his prime. Aside from being an unselfish leader, he’s gritty at both ends of the floor and he has a knack for going to the boards. Miller can create his own shot off the dribble, or orchestrate from the post. Not a shooter, but definitely a scorer when he wants to be. In the right system, he could flirt with a tripple double on many a night.
But most valuable on most nights will not be Miller’s scoring. It will be his ability to control tempo — something this team showed the inability to do last year in the playoffs. Look for Miller’s play to do wonders for the productivity of the Blazers’ young bigs - especially Oden. As for the rotation, Blake can go back to the bench where he can be most effective giving leadership to a Bayless and Fernandez led young second unit. A unit which all too often last year, seemed to play without poise.
Miller’s game has flown largly under the radar his entire career because he doesn’t jack up 3-pointers, doesn’t dunk, and he’s not a showman. Just what the doctor ordered.
October 29th, 2009 at 12:27 am
Hey D — I am fired up for a vastly improved and entertaining NBA world.
I watched the Blazer game last night and noticed that they went out of their way at times to NOT give Miller the ball — Roy wanted to initiate everything. I think they are in feel out process and think this will change. Miller is very solid player and if they have him coming off the bench, he can really dominate the 2nd units of the NBA he will be matched up against. Maybe starting Blake is fine though it was clear to me from watching the game that Andre is the better player. But they did win 54 games last year and don’t want to break up that starting 5 unit yet.
Frank
November 25th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
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December 9th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
I usually do not post comments but I love reading about my favorite basketball team. Please update again soon.