Posted: Sunday, September 21, 2008, 3:40 PM | 12 comments |
 

Andre Miller Climbs The Priority List
options
 
Welcome to Sixerville, a blue-collar community founded on fundamentals, integrity and a willingness to work and improve. Shooting is optional, but that's an issue for the town fathers. Has been for years.

The economy in the outside world is sliding disastrously. But the morale and the level of optimism are going in the opposite direction just as rapidly. And with just about all the other issues that were hanging precipitously at the end of last season already addressed in some fashion, it's finally time to speak directly about the future of Andre Miller.

In some ways, it's amazing that it could take this long to begin to focus on the guy who was easily the team's MVP last season, but not when you realize the earlier issues included the dramatic signing of elton Brand, the drafting of Marreese Speights, the re-signing of Andre Iguodala and Lou Williams, the re-signing of coach Maurice Cheeks and the bench-filling additions of Theo Ratliff, Donyell Marshall, Royal Ivey and Kareem Rush.

It's also important to know that for several months Miller didn't have an agent. He does now. He signed last week with Andy Miller. Whether of not the Sixers decide to extend Andre Miller beyond this season, at least there is a formal representative with whom to negotiate.

But before that even gets underway, let's clarify a couple of points:

Premise--Andre is 32, an age when players--particularly point guards--can begin to lose a step.

Counter--He has never depended on sheer speed; he's more like a pitcher who can change speeds and hit spots. And he he has shown no sign of losing any of that skill.

Premise--We've all heard the same refrain; Andre isn't happy here, he wants to play on the West Coast.

Counter--He told me in a recent interview that he has never made any comments about wanting to go West. He knows he ultimately has little control of where he ends up, but he likes the players here, he likes the addition of Brand, he likes the changes in the roster, he likes Cheeks.

He'd also like an extension. Most players would. You would. I would. Whether he gets one is up to the negotiators and president/GM Ed Stefanski's blueprint for the future. But right now, finally, Andre Miller is at the top of the priority list.
Posted by Phil Jasner @ 3:40 PM  Permalink | 12 comments
12
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:06 AM, 09/22/2008
    Wow that was poorly written.
    — stormcominin
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:33 PM, 09/22/2008
    Stormcominin, You need a comma after "Wow," dude. Kate's doing a good job. Cut her some slack, Jack.
    — TexasSixer
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:40 PM, 09/22/2008
    Yeah, it was. Phil is usually on point; must be an off day.
    — TheCrookedMan
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:40 PM, 09/22/2008
    Texas, What's Kate have to do with this article? And Storm it's not easy to find something to write about at this point of the year. Give it a month then the red meat will in season. I say extend AM but not at 10 million a year and for no more than three years.
    — Barton
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:58 PM, 09/22/2008
    Shooting optional? I thought we signed Rush and Marshall because of their 3 point shooting ability but maybe I just imagined that we signed those guys? Let's not label Stefanski for things that King was known for either. King's mistakes are not his.
    — JimG
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:05 AM, 09/23/2008
    Awesome to see Phil Jasner with a blog. Have been reading his stuff since he started covering the 6ers 27 years ago.
    — Trackboy1
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:08 AM, 09/23/2008
    Andre Miller played exceptionally well but mark my words...he has peaked...his presence is vital for the development of the younger guys and he will, no doubt, produce for us this year but he is not worth a lucrative, multi-year deal in the long run (I'm not a hater but we have a lot of money tied up in our fast, young offense and Miller's legs were shot in the playoffs)
    — DanMaas
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:50 AM, 09/23/2008
    great to have another blog about the Sixers, best wishes to colleagues (lol) Jasner & Smallwood, never enough coverage for our beloved team. as for Miller I am all for keeping him, for a reasonable amount of years/dollars... how about 3 yr/20 mill? I doubt he would accept less, in the open market there are't many PGs of his level. good luck Phil & John, I'll read this page almost daily, regards from Italy. Ricky
    — Sixers4guidos
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:58 AM, 09/23/2008
    two year guaranteed contract with club options for the third and fourth, with a "nice" signing bonus
    — kgd
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:59 PM, 09/23/2008
    Two Sixers Blogs! YES! I think a good prognostication on Miller is Jason Kidd - same style game - Kidd is slowing down but let's see how good he is this year in more of an up-pace tempo
    — osuphan
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:55 PM, 09/23/2008
    kidd is 35... I'll sign Miller for three 30 mill. We always underestimate the amount the player ends up making... See Iggy
    — svedka
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:55 AM, 09/24/2008
    Miller with a reasonable contract would also be a good trade asset for Sixers to hold. During trading periods any contender would be interested in a veteran PG that can step right in and help a title run.
    — Dahlsim


12 comments
About Bob Cooney
Bob Cooney has been at the Daily News for more than 20 years, working in the sports department for the past 15. This is his third season on the Sixers beat. He has covered just about everything, but mostly college basketball, where he was the La Salle beat writer for six seasons. E-mail Bob at cooneyb@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter.

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