Posted: Friday, May 9, 2008, 12:57 PM | 587 comments |
 

Sixers, Miller Need To Discuss Future Plans
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There doesn't seem to be too much concern in Sixerville about Andre Miller at this point.

To this reporter, determining Miller's fate is the most important move this offseason, because how can any long-range planning be made without knowing his future intentions?

The other day, Ed Stefanski said there are other priorities and yes, it's true the Sixers have to settle the situation with restricted free agents Andre Iguodala and Lou Williams now, while Miller's contract doesn't expire until after the 2008-2009 season.

Still, it's a litttle baffling that the Sixers wouldn't sit down with Miller and just get a feel as to whether he would like an extended stay in Philadelphia.

Miller said last week he isn't sure what he wants, but he didn't sound like somebody who has long-range plans to stay.

What Miller did say he would listen to all talks from the Sixers and why not start them now?

Because if Miller absolutely refuses to commit to the team, or keeps them hanging, the Sixers would have no other choice but to explore trade options.

Right now, Miller's value, after the best of his nine NBA seasons, will never be higher.

That said, it would be better for the organization if he stayed in Philadelphia. At age 32, he would likely demand a three-year extension beyond next season. That isn't unreasonable.

He also owes it to the Sixers not to string them along. If he doesn't want to stay, tell them now. If he isn't sure, that's fine also, but get some gauge on his level of commitment and what it would take for him to want to stay.

It would have been the right time, the day after the season to sit down with Miller.

Because despite all the talk about needing a power forward and a shooting guard, the Sixers' biggest hole would be at point guard if Miller has it in his mind that this coming season will be his last in Philadelphia.

 
Posted by Marc Narducci @ 12:57 PM  Permalink | 587 comments
587
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:25 PM, 05/09/2008
    Well said Marc. From what I understand, Miller wants to see what the Sixers are able to do before he commits. Does that lack of commintment force you to trade him? It would make finding a PF a lot easier... but finding the next PG to take his place then becomes a equally daunting task.
    — BFrank
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:27 PM, 05/09/2008
    Marc, It is real important to address the Miller situation prior to next season. The Clippers announcers, Ralph Lawlor and Michael Smith, often used to talk about how painfully shy and private Andre Miller was, and it was such a hard thing to get a read on how he was feeling. It is real hard to figure out what Andre wants, due to how private he is, so Stefanski is really going to have to earn his money on this one. Jason- Los Angeles
    — JASON RINGLER
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:08 PM, 05/09/2008
    I think Andre Miller sounds like he is wish-washy about staying only because the Sixers are not making him a priority. These multi-millionaires are all divas to some extent. If I’m Andre miller, id be sitting back saying, "i just had my best year, I’m a perfect fit for this team, and good PGs are in short supply. These guys should be wining and dining me and kissing my arse to sign me. But instead, they act like its no big deal and i am not important”. He likely feels underappreciated. I think if we showed him some love and made him an offer early, he wouldn’t make the kind of comments he has made about staying. Geez, 3 years ago Philly was courting Mark Blount 10x more aggressively. Thank god that didn’t work out. But the bottom line is that I think he really wants to be in Philly, but since we act like he isn’t important, he is going to explore other options. i think the guy has earned a contract extension.
    — AaronMcKie4MVP
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:18 PM, 05/09/2008
    I would move Andre Miller this offseason. Do I think the guy is a very good PG in this league? Absolutely. But, as Marc noted above, Andre will never have a higher trade value...and he's 32 years old. If he was 5 years younger, this would be a totally different story. But really...in 3 years, when this team will hopefully be contending, will Andre Miller still be able to perform like this year? Remember, he basically ran out of gas in the playoffs against Detroit - and it was the first round only. What will happen when he's 35 or 36? The second reason I wouldn't keep Miller around OR extend him has to do with the allotment of salary cap $$ that I feel is acceptable to the PG position. Look at past championship teams: Bulls of the '90s (Paxson, Armstrong), the Rockets of the '90s (Kenny Smith, Cassell), the Lakers of 2000-2002 (Fischer), the Spurs of the 90s and 2000s (Avery Johson, Tony Parker), the 2005 Pistons (Billups), the 2006 Heat (Damon Jones). Not one of those teams had a offensively minded PG. Instead, they had a PG that, in most cases, was a "game manager" on the offensive end and, just as importantly, was a solid perimeter defender. Additionally, none of these players made anywhere near what Andre Miller makes as a % of the team's total salary pool. Therefore, I think you move Miller, get his cap relief which allows you to go after not just one but TWO stud free agents either in the open market or through a sign and trade, and get a young PG (Kyle Lowry, Beno Udrih, etc).
    — Dean1
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:25 PM, 05/09/2008
    1. I disagree that "There doesn't seem to be too much concern in Sixerville about Andre Miller at this point." Especially if you listen to the fans. 2. I think the Sixers are fully aware they need Miller and would want to resign him if a fantastic long-term trade for the organization doesn't present itself. 3. If that isn't the case maybe the Sixers already know their plans for Miller which is that he won't be resigned next summer and to find the best available trade and take it while he is hot. 4. From the players perspective I wouldn't be all that concerned with my future right this second either. The season just ended he said he wanted to relax and follow the rest of the league right now, he knows he is under contract to play for the Sixers next season and hasn't indicated doesn't want to do that. In fact he has said he is very happy in Philadelphia, with his role and the style of play. I wouldn't confuse his natural personality as "wish-washy" I just think that is how he is - reserved. 5. Miller is a seasoned vet and I have to fully assume he knows the business of the NBA. Meaning he doesn't feel unappreciated because the Sixers are handling more pressing issues. And the way the Sixers handle those immediate issues will have a huge impact on whether he would even want to play here after next season. 33 years old and never having been out of the first round of the playoffs I can understand why he would want to hold off on his future plans with the Sixers until he is confident that is a real possibility (and more) in the next 3 years. *****My buddy wrote a good season review/off-season preview called The Philadelphia Spurs on www.reclinergm.com check it out.*****
    — ReclinerGM
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:37 PM, 05/09/2008
    Dean - Parker is 100% offensive minded and not very good defensively, Cassell is offensive minded (even back then) Armstrong, Paxson, Damon Jones, Kenny Smith are all shooters (offense) that fit perfectly in those championship teams systems who didn't need a traditional PG (game manager). Heck Paxson and BJ barely brought the ball up on those Bulls teams, Scottie was playing point forward much of the time. Avery Johnson and I will even through in Fisher were the only true game managing PG of those you listed. And Billups is the best all-around PG of the bunch he is more of what Miller is who can manage a game, score, distribute the rock and play solid defense. - IMO. I do agree about the salary distribution completely though considering Millers age at and future age as you mentioned. But I don't know if we necessarily need to trade him this summer he may be even more valuable during the 2008 season trade deadline when teams will know even more their needs to get to the next level during that one playoff run.
    — ReclinerGM
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:56 PM, 05/09/2008
    Actually, Tony Parker has made some excellent strides defensively over the past 4 years. Kenny Smith, BJ Armstrong and Damon Jones were / are all very good defenders too. Billups is and always has been one of the best in the league. I'll take back the part about the "game manager" comment, but I think I'm pretty dead on about needing a good perimeter defender along with someone who doesn't take up 1/6th of the cap (those dollars need to be reserved for the guys that can take your team to a championship level). And, as good as Andre Miller is on the offensive end, he's not very good at all on the defensive end. In terms of post-up D, he's solid, but get him in a one-on-one situation with most PGs in the league, and he's toast almost every time.
    — Dean1
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:00 PM, 05/09/2008
    RGM: I read "The Philadelphia Spurs" and agree with the assessment, except possibly R.Carney. I've always felt like Carney is stuck in a catch-22 situation. He really seems like a guy who needs time on the floor to progress but he is not getting the time he needs, so he is not progressing like the Sixers want him to. I realize he was getting more time later in the season but even that didn't seem to be quite enough. I don't know how much time he needs or how you can get him that much but ideally I would love to see him get all the time he needs and see where he ends up developmentally. Also, I was thinking the same thing you were re: Miller and the Sixers when I read Marc's article: That it is very possible the Sixers have a good understanding of the Miller situation and know how they are going to proceed. Stefanski certainly does not appear to be an idiot and we know Cheeks places a high value on the PG, so I doubt they would be so casual about a key player at a vital position.
    — bski
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:12 PM, 05/09/2008
    RGM: If you are talking about trading Miller at the deadline, that changes what our priorities are now. If you know you are moving Miller, you now have 3 spots to fill (PF, Shooter, and PG). Can we address all 3 in the offseason? If not, which one do you put off for now? It's got to be either PF or the Shooter, right? I don't think you can expect to bring in a new PG at the deadline and anticipate an easy transition. I realize Bibby did it this year in Atlanta but is that the exception? If that is the case, doesn't our top priority have to be getting our next PG now?
    — bski
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:32 PM, 05/09/2008
    bski: Unless ES definitely plans to resign Miller to an extension, a PG of the future should be our second priority, after PF and before additional shooting, although perhaps that PG could provide both. The draft might be the place ES is looking for that player. I also agree that an in season trade of Miller is unlikely for continuity's sake. Would it really be the end of the world if we took a look at how Miller holds up through 1 more full season, and let him walk if we don't like what we see? That's another 10 mil off the cap to play with next off season if we do.
    — Morty_
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:53 PM, 05/09/2008
    MORTY: Just tossing this out there: If we draft a PG now with an eye toward a future without Miller, how do we transition him into the full time role? As long as the team continues to improve next year, Miller would most certainly be playing the bulk of the PG minutes. How does our replacement PG grow into the starting role in that scenario? Do you feel there is someone out there that would be able to step into the starting PG role after just one season of limited playing time?
    — bski
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:11 PM, 05/09/2008
    bski: I couldn't answer that question as I'm not a real college ball fan. I'm just trying to look at this from 10,00 ft. above. I don't know who that player might be, but I'm sure a good GM would have some ideas. For example, Rajon Rondo was drafted at # 21, and in his 2nd year is the starting PG on a favorite to win the title. Now, he got more minutes last year than someone we would draft, but my point remains.
    — Morty_
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:23 PM, 05/09/2008
    Dean, I agree and disagree with you. I agree he looked tired at the end of the
    — seude
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:25 PM, 05/09/2008
    MORTY: Fair enough. I don't disagree with you at all. I'm just bouncing some ideas around. Your example of Rondo was interesting. It could be very possible that the present compostion of the Sixers more or less demands a PG like Miller (i.e. stepping up and scoring when we are struggling, taking over for stretches, staying in control with the young guys on the floor, etc...). As we add significant pieces to the team, the PG position could very well diminish (somewhat) in importance. With the addition of Garnett and Allen, Rondo was able to play alongside 3 bona fide premier players, thereby making his job as a 2nd year starting PG that much easier. In the same way, our additions may very well provide a lot of help for our future PG.
    — bski
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:39 PM, 05/09/2008
    Dean, I agree with you that he looked real tired at the end of the Det. series and I can!t picture him going through 4 of those series if we go for a title.I disagree big time about what you say we need at the point.Those teams you mentioned all had 2 players better than anybody on this team.We need a pt. capable of 15 to 20 pts. a night minimum.He can!t just be a distributor and defender, that is why I want to move A.Miller now. We can!t delay this teams progress by changing pts. 2 tears down the road.Why is E.S. not concerned, I!m hoping its because he thinks L.Will. can take over.A.Miller rarely led the break, usually he was throwing the outlet to start it. I think L.Will. fits what we need as good as A.Miller because 1] he is a good finisher on the break;2]he can shoot from deep; 3]he can create his own shot 4] he is quicker for our trapping defense. If he was a player like Carney, I would be leery of throwing him to the wolves but he, like Thad, is mature,a quick learner and highly confident. I say give him the job, bring in M.Miller, and Lowry for A.Miller if possible and go from there for our 4.
    — seude


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About John Mitchell
John Mitchell is in his first year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.

Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.

ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI

Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.

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