And you use the comparison of Kidd's and Miller's PER and evidence of Miller not playing defense? And your argument is even weaker when considering that Miller hasn't guarded Kidd for much of the series while Matthews has guarded Kidd. Incredibly stupid and desperate post.
Our defense has been pretty solid this series, sure it could always be better but I would have thought Dallas would been scoring more if you asked me 2 weeks ago. We're losing because of our offense; lack of 3 point shooters and 11 point quarters. If you replace Miller's great offense and sub-par defense with a good defender who can't score I think we'd be even worse.
T-14th in D EFF at 107.5 isn't solid, IMO. Tied with Denver, and only New Orleans is worse. http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/teamstats/_/sort/defensiveEff/seasontype/3
Untrue, and the perimeter players have played a lot of zone, regardless. If you can't argue the stats that I posted, flame the post. Suddenly Miller is an underrated defender, opposing PG stats don't matter (nevermind that Terry is at an 18.7 PER off of the bench), and it's stupid and desperate to post that the Blazers are next-to-last in playoff DEF efficiency. So, who authored the incredibly stupid and desperate post, because it wasn't me...
It is true. Matthews has started out guarding Kidd the last 4 games. Have you not watched the series? Which makes your "argument" of comparing Kidd's to Miller's PER even more stupid and ridiculous. There is no arguing the stats, they are the correct numbers. You're interpretation of them, and thus, your post, was incredibly stupid. Strawman alert. Now you're just combining different arguments from different people so you can fill the victim role. It was you... the one using the comparison of Kidd and Miller's PER as proof that "Miller doesn't play the way we want" or "play defense".
I agree with that. What I find funny is people trying to tell me that Miller is decent on defense. He's not, to the point that the must be hidden on that end of the court. He is a great offensive floor general, though, and all he needs this series is some help from Matthews, Batum, and Wallace to actually finish plays. Nobody on the Mavs can match-up with Andre, either, so that's a plus.
He is, when it comes to team defense. There's man defense and team defense. Miller used to be a solid man defender, but has lost some quickness. He's still a good man defender in the post and in staying with and contesting shooters, but struggles with quick guards who can penetrate. He's always been a good team defender, and remains so. I find your view on Miller's defense superficial and lacking nuance.
He's not, according to the stats I posted. The Blazers' are playing terrible team defense, and the stats show it. Who cares about a PG's post defense, anyhow? Pointing out that Miller is a poor defender isn't exactly bashing the guy, and I already gave him props for his play on offense. I'll form my opinion of his defense in this series based on the stats of the series, and you can form yours based on ... what exactly?
Can you see where you went wrong there? Hint: Andre Miller is not the entire team and using the team stats to determine the play of a single player is beyond silly. (Okay, admittedly, that was a BIG hint.) Me, when an opposing guard posts up and Miller is defending him. Well, it is. It's bashing his defense. Nothing wrong with doing so, though, except that I think it's inaccurate in the ways that I mentioned. I edited your opinion, above, for accuracy so that you don't have to print a retraction later. You are welcome.
You said Miller was a solid team defender, yet the team is performing poorly on defense. Of the below, who is the weak link defensively, of the 6 Blazers playing the most minutes in the series? Miller Matthews/Batum Wallace LMA Camby Are those other slugs performing so poorly that they are negating Andre's stellar team defense? Do tell, I'd like to know. Jason Terry isn't posting up Miller, and Matthews is defending Kidd in the post. Is Nate wasting Andre's obvious strength? I know that's what you think. The actual stats aren't showing it, though. I guess I don't see how calling a poor defender a "poor defender" is bashing him. It seems more like saying the truth. That's not true, though. Miller can't defend the opposing PG, meaning that Kidd has a SG defending him. That plays into team defense, or the lack of team defense. Likewise, you're welcome.
I'd say that most of the players are performing below their usual levels in this series, most notably Batum (probably my favourite Blazer) and Matthews. Miller's man defense hurts the team's overall defense, obviously, but his team defense isn't, IMO. Miller has defended Kidd in the post. He even picked up Marion in the post at least once, on a switch, and was surprisingly effective at holding his ground against the much bigger player, though Marion ended up rising up and shooting over him. Most point guards, though, would have been destroyed in the post by Marion, not simply beaten by a contested fade-away jumper from 10 feet out. Actual stats used badly aren't showing it. Agreed. That plays into the team's overall defense, but that is his man defense. It's a pretty silly semantic game to say that his man defense hurting the team's overall defense shows that his team defense is bad too. There are two types of defense, both of which can have an effect on the team's overall defense. Miller struggles with one (man defense) and is pretty good with the other (team defense).
And in response: Then later in the thread: Excellent logic and consistency shown in these posts, PapaG.
My point is that Miller is a poor defender, and he has guarded Kidd at times in the series. Also, I had a thread closed for baiting, but what are you doing, other than baiting?
