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.
Comments (587)
Miller is from Compton and it seems that he is longing to go West. I think they really need to sit him down and find out what HE wants. I'd hate to lose him this year because I think LWill could use another year learning the point without having to start there. He is the future and I do mean at the point. Once he learns the position he will be an upgrade over Andre, who aint too bad. The question is do you get rid of him in a trade to get something out of it, or do you let next year play out because what he gives us in terms of LWill's growth is worth more than what we might get in a trade. The problem is when listening to Miller he is so quiet and private that it is hard to get a good read on the guy. But Ed and Mo know him better than any of us posters ever will.— Barton- Sixerzguy, The similarities you point out are the ones I have been pointing out over the past few months. This is what I have been preaching to you all - I am glad that you are starting to understand what it takes to win. SMART play - not just athleticism and size. This is why Sam is and has always been in my dog-house. Chandler is the perfect comparison to Sam - he is similar in size and athleticism as well as age and they came out in the same year - who would you rather have. They are similar skill-wise, but Chandler knows the game better. He is often in the right spot at the right time and he doesn't have brain freezes like SD. We should have done that sign and trade when we had the chance.— hugh
- Sixerz. If Love develops his body I think he could be Boozer like. Unfortunately I doubt if that will happen before the draft; So, we won't know.Not a fan of Koufos. He looks to me like his preference is to be Dirk without the talent or skills. If he wants to be a center with perimeter game(OKUR like) , it might work.... Barton, good points......... Hugh, I love your humility.— sfw
- My personal opinion on Miller, as stated above, is to not trade him. Let him play out this coming season while drafting, trading for or signing a potential replacement this off season. That addition can battle for the job with Lou, and let the best player win. Meanwhile, Miller's departure frees up 10 mil so that we can be a player again next off season. If Miller blows us away with his play, I would explore a 2-3 year deal for 7-8 mil per year.— Morty_
is that guy in your "Deep Sixer" logo picking his teeth or biting his fingernails?— dpcoz- sfw, about Koufos, I forgot the personality angle. We can't rely on someone filling a need for us if he doesn't WANT to, even if he was capable of doing so.— sixerzguy
- hugh, agree on Sam, there's no way he plays at crunch time for any of the 4 West teams. I think he can be effective during the regular season because teams don't have the scouting time to figure out the Sixers' weaknesses when Sam's on the floor. But if we played ANY team in a series, Sam would be great for the first game or two, but after learning more about him, the other coach (like Flip Saunders) would be able to just turn that around and make him an embarrassing liability.— sixerzguy
- If the Sixers didn't make the playoffs would still want Miller? Yes Miller was the engine that made the Sixers go, but their are other engines out their too. You can't fall in love with players, that is why the Sixers lost, because Moe reluctant s to play his bench and that wore players out. Their is no reason not to play Kevin Ollie and Booth during the regular season and playoffs! If ED is the Great talent evaluator, as his reputation says he is, lets put him to the test! If the sixers can trade miller for a draft pick, and get player that is serviceable for the next 6 years than why keep Miller who is serviceable for 1 or 2 years.— cosmic
- I emailed Marc about this very subject earlier this week. Miller's comments have me a little concerned. I'm not sure he will sign an extension here. I believe he wants to be on the west coast, closer to home. If this is the case, then they need to find his replacement now! I'd make Calderon my priority if I was E.S.. I know he is restricted but he would be the perfect fit. I'd work out some sign-n-trade deal for him. Maybe Green, Carney, or Lou Will and Utah's pick next year. This would make Miller expendable this off season. E.S. could trade Miller for the PF or 3-pt threat we need. Plus we would still have the #16 pick to work with.— JDoc
- Here's another thought: If the Lakers don't win it all this year, do you think they would want Miller? Miller at PG with Bryant, Odom, Gasol, and Bynum would be insane! They want to win it now, so does Miller get Farmar and Turiaf? I'd do that deal if I'm Ed and if the Lakers want to win that bad maybe they do it. Just a thought. PS- If Ed can't get Calderon or the above trade then trade up in the draft and take Westbrook(PG,UCLA). He has size and ability. AND TRADE SAMMY D!— JDoc
- JDoc, if the Lakers don't win it all, it may be due to not having Bynum in the middle. Their point guard spot with Fisher and the UCLA kid is pretty good. Yes. if AMiller implies his preference for the west coast let's try to accomodate him but for fair market value...... I hate to give up Lou Will before he's fulfilled his potential but for Calderon that is intriguing. I love Lou's personality on the court. Hate to lose him.— sfw
- Here's what I'd like to know...how did Ed Stefanski get the reputation as such a phenomenal talent evaluator? Because he helped select Richard Jefferson in NJ? Or, because the Nets got Jason Kidd at a bargain basement price after he beat the garbage out of his wife? He's been a part of NBA basketball for a grand total of 8 years. Before that, he was a mortgage broker...it wasn't like he was in the college ranks or anything. The way the Korver situation was handled, I have some big-time doubts about Ed. Whether Kyle should have been traded or not (and I'm on the "not" side of the fence) is not the only real issue here...it's when he was traded. The end of December, two whole months before the trade deadline...my suspicion is that the Sixers could have gotten more if they had waited till February when there would have undoubtedly been more suitors. Also, if we wanted to make a move at the deadline, the addition of Korver into the deal might have given us much more leverage in the market. We'll see what Ed does in the offseason (I'll give him a chance), but thus far, I'm not impressed.— Dean1
- Suede, I also agree that AMiller seemed to wear down. The 6ers can remedy that by doing two things. ONE: Give LWill 5 - 10 minutes more at the point with AI at the two. He's got to learn sometime. TWO: Get that back-to-the-basket PF. This will lower the fast breaks by 5 or so a game, which will save a little wear and tear on both Andres. A few half court sets a game may not sound like much, but over the course of a full season it adds up.— Barton
- S.F.W., Totally disagree with the add a few pieces and play it safe mentality. Iggy is the 3rd or 4th best player on 7 of the 8 teams left[ Cleveland excluded] We, as constituted, can not possibly win a championship in the next 5 years if 2 things don!t happen.1} Brand opts out, signs, and is healthy;2]Thad becomes a star [20 to 25 ppg.] in the next 3 years.We need 2 players better than anybody currently here, its obvious when watching the playoffs.We are, after this year, never going to get a high draft pick or have cap space like we currently have.With D!antoni and Skiles getting the N.York and Milwaukee jobs we should strike while the iron is hot.The following lineups are all doable and better ,I think, than what we have if we add Brand and a draft pick. #1]E.Curry,Turiaf,Iggy,E.Gordon,A.Miller;Diop,R.Evans,T.Young,L.Williams; #2]Jas.Smith,Josh Smith,M.Miller,Iggy, T.J.Ford;K.Humphries,Cr.Smith,T.Young,K.Lowry; 3]Jas.Smith,Okafor,M.Miller,Iggy,Felton;R.Evans,T.Young,Carney,L.Will.,Lowry; 4]E.Curry,Jas.Smith,T.Young,Iggy,M.Williams;R.Evans,Villanueva,B.Rush, L.Will.; 5]Sammy, Artest,T.Young,Iggy,T.J.Ford; Turiaf,R.Evans,Garcia,L.Will.;6] E.Curry,L.Odom,T.Young,O.J.Mayo,A.Miller;R.Evans, Pietrus,Carney,L.Will.;7]Jas.Smith,Brand,R.Jefferson,Iggy,A.Miller;R.Lopez,T.Young,W.Green, L.Will.;8] Sammy,Jamison,T.Young,M.Redd,T.J.Ford;Jas.Smith,C.Villanueva,Carney,L.Will.;9]E.Curry, K.Love,T.Young,Iggy, A.Miller;Diop,Jas.Smith,Pietrus, L.Will.;10]Sammy,Brand,T.Outlaw,Iggy,S.Blake;Jas.Smith,Cr.Smith,T.Young,Westbrook.All these lineups are doable, any questions I will gladly answer.— seude
- Wow. Suede, You must be speeding. Love to have players from losing clubs on the 76ers. ECurry, great player. MMiller, as a corner stone of his team, have they won? Maybe, he's part of the problem. Villanueva? Diop? Artest? he'd probably love the night life. M. Redd? Love his shot but not his 'D'. I hope you put all those scenario's on paper. Got to get back to "On golden pond". Trying to come down off your post.— sfw
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About this blog
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.
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