Merged: Miller & Blake: who should start?

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by PtldPlatypus, Jul 27, 2009.

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  1. PtldPlatypus

    PtldPlatypus Let's go Baby Blazers! Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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    Since Wheels is getting into it on his show, I figured we should have a thread about it too. Wheels seems to be of the opinion that perhaps Blake should start, and I'm inclined to agree with him.

    What do y'all think?
     
    PtldPlatypus, Jul 27, 2009
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  2. Wheels

    Wheels Is That A Challenge?!?!1! Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

    Sorry, Rudy is deserving of more than 22 MPG.. I say give Websters minutes to Rudy and Travis. Rudy needs to play at least 28 MPG.. Here is how it works for me

    Miller 30 MPG
    Blake 18 MPG

    Roy 35 MPG
    Rudy 28 MPG

    Batum 22 MPG
    Outlaw 24 MPG

    LMA 35 MPG

    Oden 30 MPG
    Prz 18 MPG
     
    Wheels, Jul 27, 2009
    #2
  3. Wheels

    Wheels Is That A Challenge?!?!1! Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

    Whoah, I posted it when I read your minutes break down.
     
    Wheels, Jul 27, 2009
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  4. Minstrel

    Minstrel Top Of The Pops Global Moderator

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    Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

    Start the better player which, unless Miller collapses or Blake elevates his game tremendously, is Miller.

    Miller can't shoot the three, but he'll take some of the play-making pressure off Roy and he'll get Oden and Batum more easy baskets. He'll get everyone more easy baskets, but I especially like what he can do for Portland's rawest offensive starters. Miller's slashing ability and distributing ability are much more valuable than Blake's perimeter shooting, IMO.
     
    Minstrel, Jul 27, 2009
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  5. SodaPopinski

    SodaPopinski Tigers love pepper

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    Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

    I'm inclined to wait to form my opinion until training camp and preseason. On one hand, Blake is a great back court complement to B-Roy, because he can draw the defense out of the paint. But on the other hand, having Miller allows Brandon to not expend so much energy bringing the ball up the court and running the pick and roll early in the game.

    As for the second unit, it certainly would seem beneficial to have Miller team up with Rudy in the back court. Miller can be the playmaker and rely on Rudy's movement off the ball and outside shooting to open up the court. You'd also theoretically have Webster in there and either Joel or Greg to run the pick and roll with a great passer.

    I just can't see Miller not starting, but we'll see what training camp brings.
     
    SodaPopinski, Jul 27, 2009
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  6. illmatic99

    illmatic99 formerly yuyuza1

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    Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

    Miller, without question. You don't go out and bring in a $21 mil player to put him on the bench behind Steve Frickin Blake. There are plenty of ways Miller can make Roy, Aldridge, and Oden better. And I value significant improvements from those guys more than I would Rudy, Travis, etc.
     
    illmatic99, Jul 27, 2009
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  7. SodaPopinski

    SodaPopinski Tigers love pepper

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    Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

    That's about 23 minutes too much for Trav.
     
    SodaPopinski, Jul 27, 2009
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  8. illmatic99

    illmatic99 formerly yuyuza1

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    Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

    Jay Allen just said he likes Blake in clutch situations. WTF is this guy talking about?

    Blake is the epitome of anti-clutch.

    Edit: Good God. This town's love affair with Steve Blake is sickening.
     
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2009
    illmatic99, Jul 27, 2009
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  9. PtldPlatypus

    PtldPlatypus Let's go Baby Blazers! Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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    Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

    Sorry BW--I realized after I posted it that the "minutes/rotation" portion of my original post would detract from the intent of the thread, so I edited, but not soon enough.
     
    PtldPlatypus, Jul 27, 2009
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  10. RoyToy

    RoyToy Clown Town

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    Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

    Uh, Miller....easily.
     
    RoyToy, Jul 27, 2009
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  11. BlayZa

    BlayZa Misbehaving responsibly

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    Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

    if its not miller, that'd be mighty confusing.
     
    BlayZa, Jul 27, 2009
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  12. BoBoBREWSKI

    BoBoBREWSKI BURP!

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    Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

    Miller should start IMO. He's the better over all player IMO and gets to the foul line.

    Miller 30 MPG
    Blake 18 MPG

    Roy 35 MPG
    Rudy 28 MPG

    Batum 23 MPG
    Webster 23 MPG

    LMA 35 MPG

    Oden 28 MPG
    Pryz 20 MPG
     
    BoBoBREWSKI, Jul 27, 2009
    #12
  13. PtldPlatypus

    PtldPlatypus Let's go Baby Blazers! Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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    Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

    I generally agree with this sentiment, but I think our team could/should be different. On a normal team, you start all your best players in order to create space for each to operate. On this team, that's not necessary; IMO, the role players (Blake, Rudy, Webster, TO) create the space necessary for the best players (Miller, Roy, LA, Oden) to do what they do best.

    In my mind, if you bring both Miller and Oden off the bench about 5 minutes into the game, you can keep that pair together nearly the entire game (which would be best for Oden, IMO). You can still give them 30 mpg each, plus you can ensure that either Roy/LA or Miller/Oden is on the floor at all times, with them all 4 on together at the end of the half (when it's most important).
     
    PtldPlatypus, Jul 27, 2009
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  14. santeesioux

    santeesioux Just keep on scrolling by

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    Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

    If Blake gets the starting spot i would be more worried about how much Miller has degraded with age...
     
    santeesioux, Jul 27, 2009
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  15. RR7

    RR7 Well-Known Member

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    Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

    If it's not Miller, and he can't beat out Blake, or isn't good enough to start over him, then wtf did we just spend 14 million dollars on? A 7 million a year backup PG? I think this is easily Miller. My assumption is Nate feels the same.
     
    RR7, Jul 27, 2009
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  16. PapaG

    PapaG Banned User BANNED

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    Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

    Miller. Not even a second thought about it.
     
    PapaG, Jul 27, 2009
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  17. hasoos

    hasoos Well-Known Member

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    Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

    I think that I wouldn't even think that while high. :crazy:
     
    hasoos, Jul 27, 2009
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  18. PapaG

    PapaG Banned User BANNED

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    Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

    I wouldn't call it a love affair, but Blake did play the second half and the year, and playoffs, with a shoulder that required surgery after the season. After seeing previous "nice guys" like Derek Anderson shut it down for hangnails, Blake has proven to be a very gritty player who is effective on the court. Perhaps people appreciate what he did for the team last year? :dunno:
     
    PapaG, Jul 27, 2009
    #18
  19. hasoos

    hasoos Well-Known Member

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    Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

    So he is tough. It doesn't mean he deserves to start.
     
    hasoos, Jul 27, 2009
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  20. PapaG

    PapaG Banned User BANNED

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    Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

    Nobody deserves to start, and I feel Miller is the easy answer since he's being paid to start. Who said anything about Blake deserving to start?
     
    PapaG, Jul 27, 2009
    #20
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