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.
SEUDE: These discussions really are a lot of fun. It's easy to sit here and speculate. I'm just glad my neck isn't on the line. Like I said before, there are many ways we can go. The first move will determine subsequent moves. Will Brand opt out and sign here? If so, then we go to need #2. If not, we go with our plan b PF solution. If we move a player to fill a need, then we most likely create another need. It's enough to make your head spin. Finally, you've got to hope all your moves come together to form a complete basketball team. It's great to be talking about the Sixers in this way in May.— bski- BLSKI, to be honest, if Brand doesn!t come we are in trouble. I!m watching Utah and L.A., we are so far from these teams its unbelievable.Iggy is the only guy on our team that could start for Utah, and they are probably about 5th best in the league. We are entering the twilight zone, good enough for playoffs but needing a stud player.— seude
- SEUDE: I'm watching Utah-LA as well and I agree with you. We just don't have a guy, let alone more than one guy, who can make the plays we see others making in these playoffs. I think we all need to realize that it is going to take the addition of a couple major players before we begin to reach that level of play.— bski
- A.Miller seems like a player that is at the level of these guys, maybe he can!t be moved. Sam,Elton,Thad,Iggy,A.Miller; probably the best we can do.People disregard Z.Randolph because of issues off the court but I picture a guy like him battling the likes of Boozer and Duncan strictly because of talent, hustle only gets you so far.— seude
- seude well noted for utah and la but i remind u, thats the beauty of the eastern conference; its weak!! so we dont have to bother about matching up with them for a while. i dunno if anyone really read marc well but he seemed real reluctant to watch this guy go. The day A.Miller came here was the time our success began. well about the same time anyway. but most importantly he is a leader. i know its sounds cliche but look at our team and point to one guy who can get everyone on track....miller with all due respect to mo cheeks was our on-the-court coach ALL YEAR. he is a leader cos the ball's always in his hands so he calls it. the reason him and andre formed such a good tandem was cos iggy was bout the only mature offensive player (veteran if u like) on the team (really u wanna point to sam, willie or reggie?) so they understood the game better btw themselves. remove miller right now and what you will have is the philadelphia kids. seriously just imagine lou at the point pushing the ball in transition, thad running up and down, carney hovering at the 3, sammy galloping with no grace, reggie hustling and igoudala trying isos. it wud be kinda like the atlanta hawks (2005/06 version). they wud listen to mo but would be clueless. i dunno i just get uneasy with the trade talks; bski is right tho we need to keep him till they can all grow up cos they're really still just rookies. think about the hawks and let it sit for a while. the images should scare you enough.— jkay
- How about trading Milller and Willie for a lottery pick, and signing Baron Davis or Ben Gordon, and we still can get Gilbert Arenas. We can get Anthony Carter. I like Miller! But If they can get a lottery pick for him...He's Gone!— cosmic
- Seems like a lot of short term memory loss to me. A. Miller is the reason we got into the playoffs. We need to add not swap. Resign him(3 years 30 mil?) when it's time if he wants to come back. I think he really prefers the west coast. Sign Iggy. Go after the PF and find a role playing shooter for the 1/2 court. If you can't get a stud PF, get a stud 2 guard and a PF who provides post presence. Use Thad in a 3/4 capacity off the bench for a year or 2. Got to keep this simple. Don't tear down what's been started. Without A. Miller this team would've won 28-32 games this year and been floundering. That may have provided better drat talk BUT wouldn't have been as enjoyable as this season tuened out.— sfw
- The only reason I would trade A.Miller is because of what I saw at the end of the Det. series.If I!M E!S. I give Mo another "suggestion" ;A.Miller gets limited to 30 min. a night.J.Kay, well said, it just scared me watching his shots come up short in the last 3 games of thart series. He never rests either, an admirable quality but at this time of his career cutting his minutes in blowouts is VERY important.Plan A and B are Brand and Jamison, I!M assuming, love to see the others.— seude
- SEUDE: That is exactly what we were talking about last night. Extend Miller because is is very valuable to the team but gradually decrease his minutes as we phase in the next PG. Do you think since Miller and Brand were teammates with the Clippers in 02-03 will have any bearing on what happens with either of them? Could it be possible that Brand would come here if we extend Miller or that Miller will decide to stay if we get Brand?— bski
- Similarities between the West's final four..... 1) Smart players..... 2) Smart coaches..... 3) multi-talented..... 4) not the most athletic guys— sixerzguy
- SFW: I agree that Miller is a vital component. I also agree that we can't tear apart what we have. As I said last night, We have made significant progress this year. We need to add a couple key pieces to what is already here to improve the whole. I am worried about too much movement of players and us treading water or going backwards during a prolonged adjustment period for players and coaches. ES has stated this past week that the Sixers now have an identity, so it sounds to me like he is of the same mind and is just planning on adding a couple pieces to our core.— bski
- Calderon says he wants to start - what is Toronto going to do?— sixerzguy
- I hate this format..... smart, multi-talented Sixers: Andre Iguodala, Andre Miller, Thaddeus Young, Jason Smith.— sixerzguy
- sfw, Kevin Love's offense is better than Boozer's, but can he deploy it against NBA frontlines? If Kevin Love ever develops the strength to be able to bully his way to points, watch out....— sixerzguy
- I'm starting to lean towards taking Kosta Koufos with our pick at #16 if he's around. What I like, based on what I've read (draftexpress, nbadraft.net, other places): big NBA body, legit 7', solid defensively, can give you some offense. People are too focused on his shortcomings, but I think what he's good at really fills some needs the Sixers have, given our current team. Of course trades change all that...— sixerzguy
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.
