Point Guard Dilemma

The Portland Trail Blazers acquired point guard Andre Miller as a free agent from the Philadelphia 76ers this past off-season. Miller, an 11 year veteran, has career averages of 14.5PPG, 7.3APG (7th in the league among active players), & 4RPG. Steve Blake (the team's point guard starter last year) , on the other hand, a 7 year veteran, has career averages of 7.6PPG, 4.2APG & 2.1RPG. Who would you start? Simple, the all-around better player, Miller, right? WRONG. To everyone's disbelief, Blazers head coach, Nate McMillan, decided to start Blake at the point guard position and use Miller coming off the bench. McMillan backed up his actions by saying that Miller's poor 3-point shooting (20.8% over his career) would hurt the team offensively when the Blazers would look to penetrate and dish out for the open three. Blake, a 39.1% 3-point shooter, would help in these situations. He also said that the chemistry between Blake and Roy, was one of the most important areas that helped the Blazers reach 54 wins last season. He stated Miller would bring poise and control to a very young second unit. The Blazers started the season with a mediocre 1-2 record, losing to the Nuggets at home and to the Rockets in Houston. The shaky start made McMillan change the starting lineup. He added Miller alongside Blake, Roy, Aldridge and Oden, bringing Martell Webster to the bench. The new lineup was designed to bring more ball movement to the first unit. McMillan's plan worked to perfection as the Blazers won 8 of the last 10 games (including 6 in a row). After a very disappointing loss to the Warriors in Golden State, McMillan decided to go back to the more traditional 2 guard lineup, bringing Martell Webster to the first unit and Miller back to the bench. Webster responded with 21 points and 13 rebounds against the Minnesota Timberwolves. It appears Miller will now come off the bench for the rest of the season unless an injury, trade or sudden change of thought from the coaching staff happens.

Miller's minutes have been cut from 36 (when he played with the 76ers last season) to 28; 8 minutes less. As an effect, all of his numbers have gone down this season. His points per game are almost six less, his assists per game are 1.5 less and his rebounds are 1.3 less. How much longer will it take for the coaching staff to realize starting Miller is an upgrade for this team? Yes, Miller can't shoot from 3, even wide open, but why not make him the guy who penetrates and dishes to Roy, Webster, Outlaw, Rudy or Blake instead of him being the recipient of the pass? They say he has no chemistry with the team, but how do they expect him to do so if they don't give him the opportunity to prove himself? Miller's impressive résumé should at least be deserving of considering starting him. How long will it take for Miller to demand a Trade? Miller told Yahoo! Sports: “If I was told right out when I had my meetings that I would be a backup, then I wouldn’t have come here." That's definitely not a sign of a happy camper and I don't judge him one bit. The Blazers go in the off-season looking for an upgrade over Steve Blake, they find it, yet they keep starting Blake.

With all due respect to Blake, I like his game, but I think he's more of a role player than a point guard starter for a soon-to-be-contender team. They say Miller can't start because in clutch moments he can't shoot and help our team. Why don't we bring Blake in clutch moments? To explain how this might work i'll compare the Blazers to the Celtics. Last night the Celtics were tied with the Knicks with 5 seconds to go. They had possession so they bring to the court, Garnett(Aldridge), Perkins(Oden), Pierce(Roy) & Allen(Webster/Outlaw). Do they bring in Rondo in clutch moments when they need to score? NO. They bring in Eddy House. Simply because Rondo is all about getting to the rim and he doesn't have a consistent jump shot just like Miller. House on the other hand, is just like Blake, an excellent 3-point shooter. In clutch moments when we need shooters just sit Miller and bring Blake. All of these excuses of why Miller isn't the starter makes me want to think why did the Blazers refuse to go after Kirk Hinrich in the off-season. He can penetrate, shoot from mid & long range and most importantly he can defend, something both of these point guards can't do.

Only time will tell what the future will hold for Andre Miller, but if the Blazers keep this on, I don't see him being a part of this team's future plans.