We are now 10-3 with Andre in the starting lineup. Just looking at the 1st quarter alone we have held the lead after 1 in 8 of the 13 games, been tied in 2 and been down in 3. For the 13 games we have a total of +39 net in the 1st quarter. By contrast without Miller in the starting lineup we are 7-8. In 1st quarters we held the lead 6 out of 16 times were tied in 3 and were behind in 7 of those games. For those 16 games we have a -10 net after teh 1st quarter.
He's finally starting to find his groove. Its just amazing Nate took 2 months to start him. Without Miller in the last 4 minutes of that game last night... Blazers lose. For those who questioned who needs to be traded... Balke or Miller.... have some more egg nog. i mean did someone really post that poll and get votes for blake to stay? Thats almost as bad as nate taking 2 months to start miller. almost.
Good OP but strange twist the thread is heading. I posted in the game thread that I thought last night's game against the Heat was Miller's best game of the season. I don't take too much out of Miller's record as a starter . . . five of those wins came in the three gurad line up against weak teams and another win came against Phx where it was really Bayless who helped win that game, not Miller. But overall Miller starting could be a good thing. I hope it comes down more to Miller learning to be in the right spot to take a Roy bailout pass and create rather than him learning to knock down that three . . . and I sure do enjoy the energy and speed Bayless brings (that Miller doesn't seem to bring) . . . I don't see Blake being an issue of the bench and if Miller can bring his game and mesh it with Roy's game . . . then Miller becomes another strong offensive threat for the Blazers.
I think the main thing I see is that we in general are in the lead or are not too far back. The fact we have only been down in 3 of 13 games to me is impressive. I have felt that slow starts has been a major problem with this team and the fact that we won 19 of our 54 games last year after coming back from being down by double digits is not a good thing. Good that we won, bad that we had to work so hard to do so. The 3 games we have been behind with Miller starting we have been down by 5, 3 and 4 points.
He is definitely carrying the entire team, that's for sure. Also, he crushes the opposition, which is nice to see. He can really mold a basketball to his liking. He is an inspiration to the small, quick guards on the roster, as well.
This one is way out . . . even for you mixum. I shouldn't ask, but can't stop myself from doing it. Why is it if Miller was white he would like that guy? Because black dudes don't like white dudes?
Regardless, Andre Miller is a better player than Blake. And it seems Roy is starting to play a little better off the ball. I think once Roy finally gets extremely comfortable playing off the ball, then his game can be among the greats in the game right now. Miller will help him. Once this becomes the norm, things will be even easier once Oden comes in. Then Roy will have yet another outlet, defender and player demanding doubles that excel his game. Sorry Blake....
With Andre starting the last 4 games Roy is averaging more points and assists than he has for the season.
Exactly. It's not Miller that's getting more assists, it's Roy. But if this was Hockey, Miller would be getting assists as well. There are a lot of assists that Roy had, because of Miller giving him the ball in the perfect position. Then Roy forced the D to collapse on him and he either kicked it out or scored. It's a great and beautiful thing.
I honsetly think that is more about Roy than Andre (Miller only played 18 mins one of those games). But I like Miller starting.
It's all about Roy, imho. Miller, Blake - nice argument, but at the end of the day, they are role players on this team. This team goes, at least offensively, as Roy goes. The idea, at the start of the year - to get Roy comfortable was the right one. It seems that at some point Roy got it in his head that it does not matter who plays next to him - it is still his job to make it work. Once this happened, whoever plays best between Miller/Blake/JB should get the minutes and the start and the glory and the girls. It's that simple.
100% It was ROY in a funk at the start of the season! Only since Oden went down has Roy found it again. Hmmmmm.... Was Oden clogging the middle a bit too much to compliment Roy? Maybe THIS was the problem!
