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.
bski: totalyy agree with your take that if we add players at other positions, the PG position's imporatnce could diminish. ** suede: I'm wondering if ES' saying he's not sure about Lou at the point is meant to be a challenge to Lou, or if I'm reading too much into it?— Morty_- Morty, If he had to do less, it would help A.Miller, but he looked physically beat after one series. Everytime I look around the league or in college for a pt. to take A.Millers place I come up with guys similar to L.Will..[Augustine,Mo Williams, T.J.Ford] We seem to agree a guy that can hit the 3 would be a benefit and offensively, if we add Brand we are going to be similar to N.Orleans.[Chandler/Sam; Brand/West;Stojakovic/Iggy;Peterson/Thad; C.Paul/?]We need a threat ,don!t you guys think?— seude
- Seude, Williams at the point full-time is an accident waiting to happen. He can shoot it from deep. But so can you and I, if you get my drift. At this point, he's an inconsistent Sedale Threatt. Where's Perry Moss when ya need 'im?— jjg
- Jumpin,I hope he gets a shot, no pun intended. When he comes in now it usually is to look to score, he rarely is asked to run the team.The pt. position has to be learned through experience and the fact he was a scorer in high school means he is behind a bit.But it isn!t the same as it used to be, you have to be able to score the ball also.Jumpin, do you think in 2 years Dre is going to be able to play 4 series in a row, even with less responsibility.— seude
- Seude, No championship point guard has ever been nicknamed "Behind The 8 Ball" - 'nuff said. *** Agree, PG can't be a non-threat, play 4 on 5. *** Andre looked like Methusalah in gms 5 & 6; time for fresh blood for the long haul. Miller won't be quicker in '08!— jjg
- p.s. -'09.— jjg
- Correct spelling: Methuseluh (a patriarch who lived 969 years; book of Genesis - 5:27).— jjg
- ...but back to the "Seventy-Sixers" (remember when 'Kang' came back from ABA and wore that uniform?).— jjg
- Hey jumpin, your on the playground choosing sides, who ya takin, Ginobli or Hondo?— seude
- Seude, Is it 1968 or 2008? Are you kiddin' me? Hondo's top 20 all-time in my book. But Ginobli is a tough sonofagun too; wouldn't want to have to guard him. *** Correction: Billy Cunningham (rich man's Jack Marin) wore that version of 76ers uniform BEFORE jumping to Carolina Cougars.— jjg
- Marc, I think the list of suiters for A.Miller is shrinking every year.When the playoffs end the pretenders all will have interest for the right price.Houston, Denver,L.A.Clippers[If Brand stays],N.Y.Knicks,Portland[ teach Roy the position],Cleveland,Seattle[ mentor young kids, sound familiar,Memphis[ cap room?],Milwaukee[change coach,change attitude]. There are choices out there in the league if L.Will. isn!t an option,as Blski said, after we add pieces, less will be needed from the position.My wish list: M.Williams,T.J.Ford,Calderon,E.Watson[surprising shooting numbers this year],J.Crawford[florish in uptempo],S.Blake[good defender,3pt. shooter],Hinrich[better defensively,good 3 pt. shooter],D.West,B.Udrih.— seude
- SEUDE: Glad you agree. You are probably right in regard to the list of possible suitors for Miller. I also agree that it is very difficult to envision him logging 35 mins per night in a few years. I would be thrilled if we could resign him for a few more years and also bring in our PG of the future. This way Miller could be gradually phased out over a few years and our new PG will have a few years to develop, if needed. I have said before, just because we sign Miller to an extension doesn't mean he plays out the entire contract here. We can certainly move him in the future to fill a need, albeit probably not for what we could get for him now. I do feel that any loss in future trade value for Miller will be more than made up by what he provides for us in the short term for as long as he remains. He has been integral to the development of the young guys and will continue to be so. Also, extending him doesn't mean he continues to play the same number of minutes over the life of his contract. As the replacement PG develops, Miller's minutes decrease and when the replacement PG is ready, Miller goes. I don't want to overpay for him either in dollars or years. That being said, I think he can still prove to be a valuable member of the team in the near term.— bski
- BLSKI, I think we improve with Calderon and Hinrich because of long range shooting ability in half court situations, others have short comings but young legs may make up some for those.If A.Miller is moved we also could get future picks or pieces so we restock like Pistons seem to do.— seude
- SEUDE: I am looking at the entire situation in one way only: I DO NOT WANT THIS TEAM TO GO BACKWARDS. However we continue to improve is immaterial to me. My only concern is that we do indeed improve, build a contender for years to come, and make a championship run. I feel the team has made significant progress this year. I want to hold onto that and build on it going forward. I am concerned about too much turnover leading to long adjustment periods where we are just treading water waiting for it to gel. The good part for us is that we have many avenues open to improve this team. I think Whether or not we keep Miller or move him, keep AI or sign and trade him, package Carney and our #1...none of these moves bother me one way or the other on their own. Each individual move is only relevant insofar as it strengthens the team. I am hopeful that ES has a plan. I hope he has identified a core and will do what is necessary to add significant pieces to it to build a successful team for the long term.— bski
- Blski, Brand is the key, he is a leader, solid person and an elite talent; if he comes here other moves are less of a risk.If young players are added [Turiaf,Villanueva,etc.] it may make sense to keep A.Miller here. Look at J.Johnson!s affect in Atlanta.All young guys don!t win, need a mix of veterens.[Sam doesn!t count(knucklehead exemption)]— seude
John Mitchell is in his second 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.
