And totally decimated by injuries come play-off time. The had to play 5'5" Earl Boykins big minutes at SG in that series against the Clippers. I know everyone bags on the Clipps, but that year they had a pretty good roster and had better guys coming off the bench (Magette) than Denver had starting (Elson, Buckner) in that play-off series. When healthy, Denver would have had a hard time with that Clippers team, but without Nene and K-Mart in that series, they didn't stand a chance. Elton Brand just killed Elson and Najera. You certainly can't blame losing that series on Miller. He played well, but with Melo sucking, and a depleted roster with no one to stop Brand, there wasn't much he could do by himself. BNM
no way. Carmelo has progressed quite a bit since Andre was there and Nene has taken quantum steps forward. Hell, JR Smith's game has matured too. I guess one could give Billups a little bit of credit (as their PG) for their games progressing, but a lionshare of that goes to the players themselves and the Nuggets coaches. STOMP
Carmello did improve himself via the Olympics. They improved everybody on the olympic team I will give you that. But I think a lot of the other improvement, came from Billups and his leadership on defense. I know about their injury plagued past. But that doesn't explain it all. That one year wasn't Millers whole career there. The facts are he wasn't working out there because of his outside shooting and his defense. The same knocks that are on him today. I used to remember playing the Nuggets and not fearing any outside shooting at all unless JR got hot. Billups provides that stone cold shooter and leader on defense that plays by example. He also provides the leadership to pull knuckleheads like JR Smith in line, because he is who he is. He is Chauncey Billups. NBA Champion, and in the conference finals 8 straight years. Miller isn't the only one to compare too either. AI was there too. He didn't fit either. I am not saying Miller is a loser. I am saying he has to be the right fit, like he was in Philly. If Miller is going to be successful here, Portland would have to pick up the pace. I just don't know if Nate will do that. Maybe having a PG he feels he can trust will bring that. If Portland plays him just like we have been playing Steve Blake, it's not going to work out.
Good, becuase he's not. He's been in the league for 10 years and made the play-offs five times - which is more than anyone else on the Blazers roster. Every team Miller has played for got better after he arrived: Cavs: Season before Miller = 22 wins Miller's 1st season with team - 32 wins Nuggets: Season before Miller = 17 wins Miller's 1st season with team - 43 wins (also added Carmelo Anthony) 76ers: Before Miller = 6 - 19 (0.240 winning percentage) With Miller = 29 - 28 (0.509 winning percentage) Why would Portland play him just like Steve Blake? Steve Blake is far better at playing like Steve Blake than Andre Miller is. If KP/Nate just wanted someone to play like Steve Blake, why even sign Miller? That said, I don't think the Blazers need to become a running team for Miller to be effective. The Blazers have plenty of other outside shooters to spread the floor. Miller is very good at penetrating, drawing the defense and then finding the open man. He is also very good at drawing fouls. Both of these attributes are valuable in the half court set and extremely so in the post season. In spite of his poor outside shooting, he can create easy scoring opportunities for his teammates in a slow paced, half court offense. Of course, with guys like Aldridge, Batum and Rudy, I'd love to see the Blazers become an opportunistic running team. I just don't think it's an absolute requirement for Miller to be productive in Portland. Of course, Miller is capable of pushing the tempo (unlike Blake and Jack) without committing excessive turnovers (Sergio). So, maybe we will finally see the Blazers run when the opportunity presents itself. BNM
You can contend you're right on the Nuggets roster being the same as much as you want. I (and apparently others) strongly disagree as several of their best players are not only healthy, but have improved greatly since Miller was there... none more then Nene. Dude has gone from a rotation level player to one of the best Bigs in the league. I give Billups about 1% more credit for this then I'd give Rocky. STOMP
you're wrong on this... Clippers: Season before Miller (2001-2) = 39 wins With Miller = 27 wins STOMP
True enough. There is no denying that the season with the Clips was the worst of his career. He didn't want to be there, and many of his team-mates were upset that he had been traded for the inexplicably popular Miles. Interestingly, he seems to have gotten along fine with Brand - the best and most professional player in the looney bin. Personally, I am willing to take that season with a grain of salt.
Oops, you're right. I forgot about Miller's hellish season in Clipperdom. I'm sure he wishes he could do the same. BNM
having looked into this a bit more, last year Melo posted a 19 PER... his first sub 20 PER after 3 straight years over 20 without Chauncey around. So much for what you're giving me. STOMP
He also played with a significant elbow injury for a large stretch of the season but recovered his health in time for the playoffs and made one helluva run. When evaluated at full health, he probably had his best season as a pro. (no more high volume, low efficiency shots and considerably better passing and rebounding).
you don't think he's pining for the days of starting next to Jeff McInnis? besides the reported sulk that the Clips went into after losing Miles (who btw was probably at the peak of his career/pre knee surgeries), they had a very poor blend of talents. Lots of shoters but few outside threats, many disinterested defenders (including the mentioned 6'2 starting SG), the Kandiman clogging up the middle beside Elton, and the Clippers rich tradition. A bad mix on paper and a bad locker room isn't a winning formula. STOMP
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/anthoca01.html http://www.nba.com/playerfile/carmelo_anthony/game_by_game_stats.html The contention was that Billups made him better. I'm not disputing the elbow injury, but could you show me where he elevated his RBs and Assts last season over the prior three... I'm not seeing it. STOMP
Blake played much of this season with a significant shoulder injury, yet had a career season. What that means, I'm not sure, but all the bashing the guy gets seems a bit out of control.
I'll say, the bashing he took led to a significant shoulder injury! But that's what happens sometimes when you play a physical sport that allows contact.
