Merged: Miller & Blake: who should start?

Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

EDIT: Yeah, I know I have guys who are just gone with no one to replace them; it's brutal because we have guys who have started or played super-sub roles for us in the past who simply have no minute available to them. I'm hoping that by being slightly under the cap still, we can consolidate a little, maybe by trading a player for a pick or something.

The biggest challenge is giving Rudy enough minutes to stay interested in the team. I worry that in three years, he'll pack up and leave our bench gutted because we consolidated to make him happy and he leaves anyway.

Since Roy can play up to 3 positions, my first 9-man rotation takes advantage of that to give everyone some minutes. It assumes Bayless and Webster are gone.

Miller (24) / Blake (18) / Roy (6)
Roy (24) / Rudy (24)
Batum (24) / Outlaw (12) / Roy (6) / Rudy (6)
LMA (36) / Outlaw (6) / Joel (6)
Oden (36) / Joel (12)

Miller = 24
Blake = 18
Roy = 36
Rudy = 30
Batum = 24
Outlaw = 18
LMA = 36
Joel = 18
Oden = 36

Lineup two assumes Blake and Outlaw are gone. Since Webster can't play the 4, and Bayless plays some 2, it's not a 1:1 trade for the lineups.

Miller (24) / Bayless (12) / Roy (6) / Rudy (6)
Roy (24) / Rudy (18) / Bayless (6)
Batum (24) / Webster (18) / Roy (6)
LMA (36) / 2nd Rounder (6) / Joel (6)
Oden (36) / Joel (12)

Miller = 24
Bayless = 18
Roy = 36
Rudy = 24
Batum = 24
Webster = 18
LMA = 36
2nd Rounder = 6
Joel = 18
Oden = 36

 

Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

Well I can see the advantages with starting Blake for the first 6 minutes of the game. That means Miller plays the second 5-6 minutes of the quarter with the first team and another 5-6 minutes with the second team. (in 2nd quarter) That won't happen, but I wouldn't mind it.

 

Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

It is inferred. Anybody even bringing up the question obviously feels Blake has a claim on the starting spot. If they didn't feel that was the case, then why would they even bring it up?

I would remind people who are arguing that Blake should start because of toughness, that Andre Miller actually is the Iron Man in the NBA right now with like 530 consecutive starts.

 

Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

Last year Portland would go in the hole in the first quarter of a large number of games, only to make a big push later in the game to win. Wouldn't it be nice if Portland didn't spot their opponent 10 points to start the game?

I don't know for sure that Blake was the reason for the slow starts, but I believe he was large part of the problem. Perhaps having Miller on the floor will make that problem go away.

If Miller is healthy and doesn't start next season I will be dumbfounded.

Miller >>>> Blake. It isn't even close.

 

Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

Who is making that argument? I was addressing a poster who was venting about a "love affair" with Steve Blake. He did PG the team to 54 wins, so it's not like he's a slug.

 

Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

The hole was usually dug after Blake and Batum left the game at 6 minutes in. Sergio and Outlaw would come in and the offense went to shit in a hurry.

 

Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

I like Blake a lot and if people don't appreciate what he did last season, well that is their loss.

That being said, Miller strikes me as one of the best players in his position, a bonefied starter and that is exactly what he should be.

 

Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

Way wrong. The Blazers were often down double digits halfway through the first.

 

Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

...this is NOT even a question

 

Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

There is a big difference between appreciating what Blake did last season, and him deserving to be a starter. The proper role for Blake is the "Danny Young" role. Come off the bench and don't fuck up. It doesn't mean we don't like what he did. The facts are that Blake is the 2nd worst PG in the western conference. He played hard. Great. Doesn't mean he deserves to start here. It is pretty typical when players don't have the skills for high level of play they talk about effort, tenacity, etc. Those are nice ways of saying they aren't starter worthy.

I believe most of the fans know what Blake did and didn't do last season. He played hard, played through injuries and did his best. But his best was 2nd worst PG in the western conference. That is a fact.

 

Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

Oh, you're talking about early in the season when Nate pulled LMA and Roy at the same time. He stopped doing that in like February. After that, we'd dig holes after Sergio and Outlaw entered.

Make no mistake; I agree with you that Blake is a Danny Young type.

 

Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

One guy actually had the balls to say since Blake had 14 dimes in 1 quarter it showed he can run a team and should start.
Miller is >>>>>>>>>>>>>Blake, this should not have even been a discussion. I wish they would have talked about the Oden USA thing instead.

 

Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

Who said he deserved to start? I didn't, I merely said he deserves more than derogatory comments especially given he put himself on the line for the team and the fans.

You are basically as alluded to by others arguing with no one and for what? To put down a player who shows heart and gives his all for the team.

I think we need a new starter for hasoos, his play at the moment is the worst in this thread...

 

Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

"Right now, Blake is our starting point guard."

Nate, please don't do this.

 

Re: Miller & Blake: who should start?

Makes sense to say that.

Miller is a seasoned pro. He won't kick up a fuss if he isn't told he will be the starter pre season.

All Nate is doing is saying to Blake, earn it and it's yours and letting Miller know that once he earns it it will be exactly the same.

Smart management.

 

Miller Best As The Backup

...due to his desire to run the ball. Fits better with our second unit.

This according to the boys @ Wheels at Work.

Agree? Disagree?

Andre; Rudy; Batum; ______; Greg(?)

(BTW, Miller will be live with Canzano on the BFT today at/around 4 PM.)

 

Miller is more likely to get Oden the ball early and get him rolling. You get Oden rolling, he will keep rolling. You start with Miller.

 

I'm glad that kingspeed is not here for this thread. We'd be hearing all about those 14 assists. And I'd suddenly be playing chess apparently.

As far as the topic, it's obvious that Miller deserves to start unless something weird happens. Could it be beneficial to have him play time in the game with the 2nd unit, and give Blake some time with the first? Sure, but that's a lot different than saying Steve Blake should be the starter.

 

The idea of putting both Miller and Oden on the bench is insane beyond belief, really, if what ABM posted is what was suggested on Wheels At Work. And Batum? Is this upside down world? Maybe put Roy and Aldridge on the bench, too, and make the greatest second unit in NBA history.

 

Re: Miller Best As The Backup

Any chance of a link?