Note Whoever has Miller on their books in 2010-11 must waive him on or before June 29, 2011. Or else Miller's $7.8 million salary for the 2011-12 season becomes guaranteed.
I think he's on his way out before the end of the year. But if not, we'll be fine if he focuses on being a scorer off the bench. Like Outlaw, he can get his own shot or get free throws and we need that right now. Initially, I wanted Miller to be a distributor, but most of his targets are on the sidelines so he must look to score 12-16 points a night. We desperately need that if no trade is made.
This has always been the knock on Andre Miller. He doesn't manage a game well. He never figured out when to choose his spots distributing and when to transition in attack mode.
Yep. There is a bit of irony in that the guy who was supposed to distribute the ball is actually better suited to fill the Outlaw role of getting his own shots when the offense stagnates. The injuries make Miller a must for this team right now, but in a much different role than I envisioned for him.
Last year when I asked Reggie Miller what type of a PG they need to play off of Brandon Roy, he also said they need a Mo Williams type. The thing is, I think we already have that guy if we will just give him the minutes. His name is Bayless.
How about a swap with Orlando for Brandon Bass? (I'd prefer Marcin Gortat, but they'd probably prefer Steve Blake, and neither team would budge.)
What's a "Mo Williams type"? Combo guard who can hit threes? Bayless is half of that, I suppose. Actually Steve Blake is closer. (And Patty Mills may be closer still.) Williams isn't someone who can create his shot very effectively, as we saw in the playoffs last year.
Patty Mills shot a paltry 34% on his threes from the college line and that was on volume shooting from distance (7 and 9 attempts per game respectively in his freshman and sophomore seasons at St. Marys) who knows maybe he'll be a lights out shooter as a pro, but it seems a bit like wishcasting at this point. I have no idea if Miami would be willing to move him, but I'd love to get a hold of Mario Chalmers. Plays pretty stout D and can definitely hit an outside shot.
Mo Williams can create and attacks the rim a lot. Bayless is more like Mo than Blake, because Mo is a scoring guard. I also am not sold on that Bayless doesn't have range. There is an adjustment from college to the pro's and I think he will handle that. It's not like he has an ugly stroke. He just needs to dial it in.
15.8 FGA and 3.3 assists/36 minutes. He's quick and does play good defense against PGs, can hit shots when they count, can put up 15 point quarters a bunch of times in a season, etc. He played alongside Derrick Rose last season and I don't remember Rose not having the ball enough.
Ben Gordon would be a very very interesting addition. Yes, he's expensive salary-wise, but man... he can shoot. Having him as the starting "PG" alongside Roy would be potentially a great fit. I'm not sure what the Pistons would want for him; it seems like it might be more than the Blazers would be willing to give. Ed O.
If you're looking for a shooter to pair with Brandon, is Gordon going to add anything that Rudy couldn't once he gets cleared to play again?
