Tossing Andre Miller under the bus....

from Dwight Jaynes blog today..

Nate McMillan handed the keys to the bus back to Brandon Roy Saturday night, right about the same time both men threw Andre Miller under it.

Hey, I’m no big Miller fan. I don’t like being in a position to defend him, either. He hasn’t played all that well so far. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t something wrong with the way this is coming down. Even after Miller was signed as a free agent, McMillan was reluctant to declare him the starter.

Then, as training camp opened, the coach made it clear he would start the players who earned it. Who played the best. But when Blake didn’t play that well in the exhibition season, he earned the starting nod, anyway.

http://www.dwightjaynes.com/

It’s not as if it’s a no-brainer that Miller was the root of all Portland problems. It’s not as if he failed as the team’s starting point guard – he never got the chance to play it alongside Roy in the backcourt. There is no reason to suddenly blame everything on Miller, rather than Blake, the other starting point guard in this three-guard folly.

Why is Miller the problem, rather than Blake?

Because Brandon Roy deemed it so. Roy this season is slightly down from his career numbers in field goal shooting, three-point shooting, rebounds, assists and steals — and up in fouls and turnovers — and he’s pinning it all on Miller. That’s obvious. From the very start, he hasn’t liked Miller taking the ball out of his hands and everyone knew it.

http://www.dwightjaynes.com/

And from the Big O

”I feel like we tried it (the three-guard lineup), and you could say it worked at times, but me sacrificing hurt the team, so it should get back to me playing full-out and getting some other guys in other areas to sacrifice a little bit,” Roy said.

“This team is going to go off my pulse,” Roy said. “Even if I’m smiling and trying to make it work, if I seem like I’m not totally comfortable, then Martell won’t be. And Rudy (Fernandez) will look like he’s in a funk. And L.A. (Aldridge) will look like he’s in a funk. They have been playing with me for a couple years and if I’m going well, they have more confidence.”

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/11/portland_minnesota.html

Jaynes goes on to suggest a Miller trade since Roy wants to play with Blake, and that while the coach may think its a good idea to cater to his star player that in the long run it is the coach who will get fired if the team isn't successful.

Miller has been a good sport about the whole thing, and I still think he is a keeper. Amidst all the controversy he has for the most part, quietly gone about his job. His only comment about this situation is that he will accept whatever role the coach wants him to play.

Its a long season. Its not like we haven't had any injuries either. The day will come when this team needs Andre Miller. He'll be here. And he'll be ready. And in the meantime the original lineup will be given another chance to sink or swim. That is of course, unless that last spill Martell took at the end of the game Saturday night, will prevent him from playing.

Funny, since Blake was the main culprit in the breakdown vs. ATL and almost losing the Detroit game (until he hit that 3 in the end, finally). Blaming Miller when he is the only one that consistently look for Oden and it's his fault? I'd rather start Miller and Rudy over Roy and Blake since I'd rather develop Greg into an offensive force. Only by developing Greg into an offensive mainstay, this team will win a championship. We won't win a thing if two main offensive player is Roy and LA.

Yellow mamba is living up to his nickname.

Roy setup Greg quite a few times last game along with Blake doing the same thing. I guess people were to busy watching the UoO game or something.

You are right. They ARE starting to make that adjustment.

How much attention does Dwight James get if he isn't stirring the Crud? Seriously, he seems to understand his role is to sell papers rather than report news.

The last game Miller started he was fighting ankle turns and turnovers. He still is hugely key to this team in this role.

Quoting Roy out of Full Context seems to be vogue nowdays. Yes, he wears things on his sleeve AND he is uncomfortable adjusting. But he is young. And he is expressive. And he has worked hard playing a foriegn position. What I am saying is when I have taken time to get the full story this year, it seems different than the snippets.

Miller certainly seems able to not only understand "The Circus", but also that there are a lot of key roles on any winning team. Miller has been the consumate professional. Roy does appear to need to read, "Who moved my cheese". Roy will learn ots over the next few years. Jordan had to, King James is, Kobe did, and Mello will as well.


I tip my hat to Roy. Dwight James, your rubbish is barely fit for my cat's litterbox. I miss the Oregon Journal, LOL.

AS far as Nate. Hmmm... Martel was in a funk and so he won a lot of games with a lineup No one had even considered. When ya going to play Martel? When he is ready...How did Martel respond? Hmmm.. Perhaps Nate had a pretty good idea when Martel would be ready? Yes, build the Young Guys Confidence in a game against not too steep of competiton.

THis is a young team that will go through a lt in a long season. Lots of Fodder for those whose living is writing to the lowest common Denomintor

What a mess!

What team in the league does not start their best 5 ?

What team in the league does not start their best PG ?

It is sad to see Miller be such a solid player over the last decade, to alas be on a team that he can really do damage with.To be treated like he does not fit.

Roy is my favorite on the team. Of course I want to see him do well, be an all-star again, hit remarkable clutch shots. But I would rather see his averages go down, if that means we win the conference, and be in the championships.

Last I looked we had a pretty good record Bad Habit.

Look at what McMillan said about why. We are getting nothing from the bench. In the course of NBA History, a lot of sixth men were better than a starter.

It is early, we are young, there are injuries. I look for lots of changes as the season progresses.

Yeah Spurs have done well with Ginobli comes off the bench the guy starting ahead of him is not even close to his level.

i really thought Roy would've learned from the playoffs last year. Teams will take the ball out of Brandons hands and we will be left reliving last year, a team looking for option #1 and no option #2.

And what about this.... has he not been trying his best while Miller's been on the floor?

”I feel like we tried it (the three-guard lineup), and you could say it worked at times, but me sacrificing hurt the team, so it should get back to me playing full-out and getting some other guys in other areas to sacrifice a little bit,” Roy said.

Sacraficing to Brandon means don't play your best?

The 3-guard rotation should be MIller-Roy-Rudy. Bayless develops over time. He is making progress.
Done.

When do we get our consolidation trade involving Outlaw, Blake and Webster for Tayshaun Prince?
Oh, sorry. I was looking into a parallel universe where that sort of thing happens.

HoopsFan wrote:The 3-guard rotation should be MIller-Roy-Rudy. Bayless develops over time. He is making progress.
Done.

When do we get our consolidation trade involving Outlaw, Blake and Webster for Tayshaun Prince?
Oh, sorry. I was looking into a parallel universe where that sort of thing happens.

I keep seeing talk of trades by people who don't want Blake and/or Outlaw. And please don't take this as me picking on only you Hoopsfan. But that they would be prime consideration to land someone like Prince? Even with Webster, I wouldn't make that trade.

hhhoggg.... Could it be possible that Roy felt so Overhwelmed guarding Forwards that he had nothing to give offensively? That and role confusion can make a player hesittant and feel like they are not all out...

I guess here is wher I am coming from a lot. We are a young team that is simply 1 game out of the lead in the Western OCnference despite having a long ways to go to get that comfort Championship Teams eventually get. A ton of learning each other and true strengths. The Glass is more than Half Full Folks.

Dwight Jaynes was 100% right on the money in that article....

I know that Roy is a popular guy with many fans, but sometimes you have to step back and see things for what they really are....

hhhoggg....You are right on the money, teams have figured out this ridiculous offense...Perhaps Roy hasn't figured out that teams are keying in on him when he has the ball? double teams? pressure at the top of the key BEFORE he makes his move? Is a bailout pass to Blake, what this team really needs to make a run in the playoffs? It didn't work last year vs HOU and it hasn't worked against good teams (ATL TWICE, DEN) either.....

This has little to do with Miller, other than the fact he does a great job getting the OTHER (Oden, LA, Rudy, Webster) players involved on offense....something which Blake has shown surprsingly incapable of doing...

This team is going nowhere if they think that Blake playing 30+ minutes and Roy trying to score 2v1 while the rest of the team stands around is going to lead to ultimate success....

and one more thing, Miller aside, you can bet guys like Rudy, Bayless and maybe even (gasp) Oden may look to get off this team if this trend continues.....

Blake playing more minutes than Rudy? Seriously?

Kmurph1 wrote:Dwight Jaynes was 100% right on the money in that article....

I know that Roy is a popular guy with many fans, but sometimes you have to step back and see things for what they really are....

hhhoggg....You are right on the money, teams have figured out this ridiculous offense...Perhaps Roy hasn't figured out that teams are keying in on him when he has the ball? double teams? pressure at the top of the key BEFORE he makes his move? Is a bailout pass to Blake, what this team really needs to make a run in the playoffs? It didn't work last year vs HOU and it hasn't worked against good teams (ATL TWICE, DEN) either.....

This has little to do with Miller, other than the fact he does a great job getting the OTHER (Oden, LA, Rudy, Webster) players involved on offense....something which Blake has shown surprsingly incapable of doing...

This team is going nowhere if they think that Blake playing 30+ minutes and Roy trying to score 2v1 while the rest of the team stands around is going to lead to ultimate success....

and one more thing, Miller aside, you can bet guys like Rudy, Bayless and maybe even (gasp) Oden may look to get off this team if this trend continues.....

Blake playing more minutes than Rudy? Seriously?

Dwight James is simply selling fear and Controversy. What a Miserable existance!

Even without Mller in the starting lineup, this team is much different Than last years. Oden and Webster are huge changes and will develop more. And Miller is a key playeras well as Rudy. There is a ton of developing that needs to go on and will go on. The Glass is way more than half full folks

No worries. I don't take disagreement, or even criticism, personally. Fair comment is always appreciated.

Roy's handles in traffic ... looks like he's pressing a bit and finding less room. Not that he isn't effective, it just looks a little less smooth than last season. It's early still. He is looking for Oden more and more, so his desire to do more for others by running the team is fine by me.

Where I agree with Jaynes is regarding Blake vs. Rudy.
Where I disagree is Jaynes commenting about Rudy eventually/probably needing to be moved. Wrong-o.
Rudy and Roy are the eventual starting guards. With Batum playing D at SF--the toughest 1-2-3 for the other side--it's a dynamic lineup.

My comments about Detroit are taking into account Detroit's situation.
1. Lower the payroll where they can while not in contention--Blake's $4 million
2. Replenish talent (Rip-Tayshaun) with younger, athletic guys to go with Stuckey-Gordon-Villanueva. Webster and Outlaw work. Rip (31) wants out. He's saying the right things while injured, but he isn't over being pissed about Billups and promises unfulfilled. Prince (29) is still in his prime, but they've played a whole lot of games while contending. They aren't now AND Dumars wants a quick, but serious turnaround. Prince's value isn't going up.
3. It would likely cost a pick to get it done ... and that's worth doing.

Outlaw is gone after this season. Gotta be. Blake is surviving, but that's not going to get a big enough contract next season from the Blazers in his prime unless Miller is gone ... not happening ... so it's a practical thing as much as playing who is better.