Sixers, Miller Need To Discuss Future Plans
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
Sixers, Miller Need To Discuss Future Plans
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.
Guess we should get rid of Iggy and A.Miller,they have been on a losing team the last 2 years.We need to get bigger, stronger and more talented. Turiaf can serve Sam!s role of patroling the lane at half the price.— seude- They've been on a team on the rise. Not a doormat. In fact what has been the sixers record with AMiller in uniform? Iggy also has become prominent since AI left the team.— sfw
- Getting better and making the playoffs is the easy part, the next steps are the toughest.The Lakers might win it all without a player better than anybody we have.We can become the Eagles of the N.B.A. or we can try to win it all.— seude
- Seude, how are the 6er's going to get those lottery pick players, you just suggested without trading Miller? Another thing, most of the players you mention are journey men players, their not all stars. If the 6ers are going to build a championship team, 6er's need all stars players. If Ed sign second tier players, than the 6er's are going to be going around in circles.— cosmic
- Kobe Bryant? Gasol? OdOm? explain.— sfw
- Simple trade to get in the lottery.Sam and either J.Smith or Carney or #16 pick for Curry and Knicks #1. Sam is a journeyman player,who in a playoff series gets exposed.You only add Curry if you get a 4 that can defend.Walsh and D!antoni need athletes, we need a low post threat,plus Curry won!t get cleared out and be out of position like Sam.Turiaf attacks the ball like Sam but at least can be a factor on offense.If Brand doesn!t opt out how do we get a star?Josh Smith,Artest,Odom,Okafor,E.Gordon,R.Jefferson,M.Redd,T.J.Ford are journeymen?— seude
- By the way that is Sam and any combo of the choices next to his name. Curry is Shaqlike on the low block and with Diop or J.Smith backing him up we are better at the 5. Watching the playoff there is real physical play and we are not going to be able to run all the time.Have a second trapping unit that pushes the ball and use it in spurts,75 % is 1/2 court play, in the words of S.Connery;"don!t bring a knife to a gun fight!!!".— seude
- SWF, Why would Kobe, Gasol, and odom leave a championship team?— cosmic
- Cosmic, he misunderstood what I said; I meant L.A. may win a title without— seude
- Cosmic, he misunderstood what I said; I meant L.A. may win a title without— seude
- Bynum, a better player than anybody we have.— seude
- Seude you think the Knicks got stupid written on their foreheads! SAM and Smith and Carney aren't going anywhere. If you trade Sam and Smith, than who is going to stop teams from getting layup after layup. Ed likes carney, and smith is still unproven.— cosmic
- Seude you think the Knicks got stupid written on their foreheads! SAM and Smith and Carney aren't going anywhere. If you trade Sam and Smith, than who is going to stop teams from getting layup after layup. Ed likes carney, and smith is still unproven.— cosmic
- I would trade all of the above for a chance to get a top 5 pick. Cosmic, if your Walsh and Diantoni,you wouldn!t consider it?— seude
- testing, 1-2-3— bski
Keith Pompey has been an Inquirer reporter since September 2004. He takes over the Sixers beat after covering the Temple men’s basketball team for the past three years and Temple football the past two seasons. Pompey also previously covered the Penn and Drexel men’s basketball team and Villanova football team after initially focusing on high school sports.
Pompey is a native Philadelphian and a University of Pittsburgh. Follow him on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers or reach Keith at kpompey@phillynews.com.
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.
