How much stock do you put in "veteran leadership?"

Quick, yesterday on the Game, told a story of his first practice with Portland. This should speak loudly of the importance of veteran leadership.

Quick reported that a few players wanted to be done, and Howard pushed them to keep playing. He also yelled at some of the players to feed Greg the ball in the post because he was hot. What's funny about that, is that Howard was the one guarding him LOL. At least Greg is playing against someone taller than 6'6".

 

That's interesting. How many guys would seriously yell at the opposing team (even though it's just practice) to keep taking advantage of him? That takes some real confidence and awareness.

 

Isn't Howard the one who took out Derek Andersen?

 

Who didn't? DA could be taken out by a stiff breeze.

 

Difference is Fisher had a significant role on that team on the floor. Not so sure Juwan will even have one on the floor.

 

I put a little stock in it, but not much.

It's interesting that we've added exactly 50 games of playoff experience with Miller and Howard. And only once has either guy gotten out of the first round. Howard with Dallas nearly 10 years ago. So they're not adding loads of experience like, for example, Allen Iverson. (Not that I would want him, he's the most overrated player in NBA history.)

All in all, I guess experience can't hurt, but I think some people put too much stock in it.

 

I wrote this email to MB a couple months ago on Courtside. I still stand by my viewpoint.

 

Of course, we also made it to the WCF the year before without veteran leaders like Pippen, Smith and Schrempf....

 

And gave up. We could have beaten that Spurs team, and we lost a couple of heart breakers in the first two games of the series, but we gave up in the last two. I think Pip and Smitty would have helped get us over that. Sure, they weren't much help in game 7 of the WCF, but that game was just a meltdown.

With that said, I'm really glad to hear about Howard in his first practice. This team has desperately needed someone to knock some sense into our guards about feeding greg the ball.

 

There's physical toughness and there's mental toughness. Greg and Joel are both physically tough players, but what this team lacked during last year's play-offs was mental toughness. They were a very young team that were collectively mentally unprepared for the toughness of the NBA post season.

Howard and Miller are both very tough, physical players. But even more importantly, they have both been around long enough to have played against some of the greatest players in the history of the game. Last year in the play-offs the Blazers were intimidated by the Rockets and in awe of the whole play-off intensity/atmosphere. Having gone toe-to-toe for many years with guys like Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, Tim Duncan, Shaq, John Stockton, Gary Payton, Jason Kidd in his prime, etc. Howard and Miller aren't going to be intimidated by, or in awe of anyone. You can't win in the post season if you are intimidated or awe struck. After a tough loss, you won't see Juwan Howard or Andre Miller chasing after Kobe like a little school girl seeking an autograph. With them around, I doubt you'll see any of our young players doing it either.

I expect Miller to make big contributions on the court. At this point, I don't expect much from Howard on the court. As a 13th or 14th man, any on-court production he provides is a bonus. Howard's real contributions will be in the locker room, in practice and on the bench. He will help keep the young guys focused, but will also keep them loose so they aren't scared or nervous in the post season. Even if he just takes one of our young players under his wing and mentors them and accelerates their learning curve, it will be well worth a roster spot and a 1-year veteran's minimum contract - especially if that one player is Greg Oden.

While Juwan is far from a superstar, back when most of our young players were just getting into basketball (8 - 10 years old), Juwan Howard was playing in the Final Four for Michigan and eventually making the NBA All-Star team and 3rd team All NBA. I guarantee every young player on our roster knows who Juwan Howard is. He is a veteran with great practice habits and a wealth of knowledge to share with our young players. I doubt is he averages even 10 MPG this year, but I'd much rather have him sitting on the bench and practicing with our young guys than Michael Ruffin (who is bascially the guy he replaces on our roster).

This is a great signing that has nothing to do with how much, or how little, Juwan Howard has left in the tank. His presence, experience and knowledge will benefit all of our young players and help them learn what they need to do to become successful in the NBA. Not many guys can say they've played 15 years in the NBA. If all Howard does is help teach the young guys how to take care of themselves and stay healthy during a long NBA season and in shape during the off season, he will be worth his contract.

BNM

 

Good post BNM.

I think that veterans alone do not mean that much. But, the right veterans can make a huge difference. Miller will make a huge difference primarily because he will be our best PG and a true upgrade from last year. Forget all the veteran aspects of his game, he is just a pure and simple better player than Blake or Sergio. Then you add in the things that he does that this team was lacking, good lob passes, post up from PG, taking it to the hole and finishing, and I think he will certainly help the Blazers.

When you have a player like Miller who is already helping via his on court skills, his veteran leadership can then come into play. He will be respected by the rest of the team, he is a very hard worker who never complains or lets small injuries overcome him. Plus he has learned all the little things that come with time, and he can pass those tidbits onto the youngsters. One thing that most anyone coming to the end of their career, especially in the NBA, is the feeling that they want to make a mark on their field. Miller hopefully (and I think does) realize that one major way to leave your mark is to pass on your knowledge and help those you will eventually leave behind get better. Miller will be chasing deep playoffs and a championship before he fades, and will also want those who follow him to take a piece of him into the future.

Howard is a little different in that he will not be helping the team on the court that much. But, from the sounds of things, he is very happy to take a mentoring roll and, like Miller, pass a little bit of himself onto the future of the Blazers. He knows how to use his body, how to prepare mentally, and many other little things he will hopefully pass onto Greg, LMA and the rest.

All in all, I think that the addition of these vets will be very beneficial to the growth of the team and very well may be the difference between round 1 and a deep playoff run.

 

This is what I meant by "a lot". BNM, you are so nice to explain. I thought the thread was going to end with my post.

 

Being a vet isn't necessarily needed, nor present in great leaders.

Most are born that way.

Roy, Blake and Joel lead this team, but mostly through example.

Neither Miller nor Howard have demonstrated the ability to lead, but all we need them to do is be solid backups.