Just occurred to me how similar the situation is between us adding Miller and Phoenix adding Steve Nash back in 2004. Both moves were viewed as somewhat ho-hum free agent signings for good-but-not-elite aging point guards. Both had really great track records of keeping healthy, although Miller has certainly been better than almost anyone. Both guys (at least on paper) seem like really great fits for their new respective teams. Both teams at that time were characterized as having a lot of promising young horses to ride, but not a lot of veteran leadership to guide them. Miller is two years older than Nash was when he was traded. I'm definitely not going to predict any NBA MVP in Miller's future. Heck, even an All Star appearance is a stretch, given how many good guards there are in the West. At this stage of his career, he's often tagged as around the 9th-11th best PG in the league, and was paid accordingly. If Portland can win 60+ games, this would be the season where an aging PG has his perceived value vault way, way up. I'm glad we've got him locked in at a pretty low price for three years.
Actually I would compare it more to Denver adding Billups last year. A team with an established roster that adds a savvy vet pg that makes all the pieces fit together so much better.
Damn it! I knew we should have tried to get Stockton to come out of retirement. Oh wait, he never won a ring or was a finals MVP. Wait, how about Magic Johnson?
I've been an Andre Miller fan for some time but to me, this is more of a Derek Anderson than a Steve Nash.
Nothing like Nash. Nash was reluctantly given up by Dallas, who was cutting their massive payroll (they dumped Michael Finley, too). Phoenix traded away Joe Johnson and the pick that ended up being Luol Deng to make cap room for a MAX deal for Nash. He was known to be that good. It doesn't look to me like Miller was Portland's first (or second or third) choice for a FA signing.
Well if we are dead set on finding a comparison I think the effect that Billups had on Denver is the better example. In my humble opinion, lol.
Ummm, no they didn't--Joe Johnson played in Phoenix 'til the end of the '04-'05 season. His last season in Phoenix was also Nash's first with the Suns. The fact is, Andre Miller is an absolutely ENORMOUS upgrade over Sergio Rodriguez, no matter how you stack it.
Yep. And he is educating some local sports people with his play. For example, before last night, I'm almost sure Quick was all about Blakey. START BLAKE. START BLAKE. After listening to him today on the BFT. I think his tone is changing on the point position.
It's just been so long since we've actually had a true point guard on this team, I think some of us have forgotten what one looks like. The last one was named Rod Strickland.
I haven't ever forgotten what one looks like. Andre is going to be great for this team. I think before this season is over with. He will have this offense running like a well oiled machine.
Just remember. Before being traded for AI, he (Miller) never got past the 1st round with a super talented (although thugget) Denver team. And that was with a coach similar to Nate. Ironically, shortly after being traded for AI, Denver acquired another PG that most of you should be familiar with.
