It Was MIller's Time During 76ers Preseason (Deep Sixer)

It Was MIller's Time During 76ers Preseason

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- In a preseason that didn’t an abundance of highlightsfor the 76ers, point guard Andre Miller was a true bright spot.
When one looks at Miller, it always seems as if he isn’t going full speed, mainly because he isn’t that fast.
Yet Miller is one of the most intelligent players in the NBA, and as mentioned here before, easily the most respected player on the Sixers.
Early in training camp, Miller talked about not going full speed right out of the gate and burning out.
He worked hard during training camp and the preseason, did plenty of extra running and shooting after workouts, but as a ninth-year veteran Miller knew how to pace himself.
In his final two preseason games, Miller had his best two performances. And this is no coincidence.
During Wednesday’s 103-90 loss at New York, Miller had 22 points (7 for 14 shooting), four assists and one turnover.
Then in Thursday’s 91-83 win at New Jersey, Miller scored 18 points (8 for 10 shooting) and added three assists.
With the erratic way that so many of the players performed this preseason, there is a question as to whether many of the Sixers are ready when the games begin counting on Wednesday in Toronto.
There is no worry with Miller.
He only averaged 3.3 assists this preseason, but that total will increase, especially if his teammates do a better job of converting his passes.
Coach Maurice Cheeks still has a laundry list of things his team has to improve upon.
Even taking into consideration that Samuel Dalembert missed the final six preseason games, the Sixers need to do a better job with their interior defense.
And perimeter shooting was wildly inconsistent.
The Sixers also have to do a better job of trying to get out in transition.
There are plenty of concerns as the Sixers get ready for the regular season. Miller right now is the least of them

Posted by Marc Narducci on October 25, 2007 11:26 PM | Permalink

Comments (4)

Allan:

And some suggest trading Miller! He is the one who will help to make the other players better, as shown last year.
Unlike what Iverson did when he was here.

You won't get equal value in a trade for him and his value on the team is far greater than expiring contracts or draft choices.

Now he needs to take a step up and be a vocal leader as well.

Posted by Allan | October 26, 2007 10:31 AM

Posted on October 26, 2007 10:31

pat :

Miller needs to be traded. It is a shame that he has to be associated with this organization. Image him with the lakers, or the Knocks... not with a bunch of kids. We have coaching that should mentor these babies. I was never a Miller fan, but I definitely respect his game and his leadership. Thats why I feel it should be utilized on a playoff caliber team.

Posted by pat | October 26, 2007 11:50 AM

Posted on October 26, 2007 11:50

Anonymous:

Speaking of trades, with talk that Minnesota would move Doleac and/or Simien, doe sit make sens eof the Sixers to pursue that route givent he alck of big men on the team. Granted it's not a world-beater of a trade, but combined with the Evans deal, it at leats moves the team in the right direction (however slowly). Something like Doleac & Simien for Ollie & Randolp?

Posted by Anonymous | October 26, 2007 11:53 AM

Posted on October 26, 2007 11:53

rebcalale:

No doubt Miller can play and is nice point guard but lets not get carried away he is not nearly as good as the top points, such as Nash, Parker or Kidd.

Right now the Sixers, if you believe their management, should be learning how to play together. You know, that crazy thing called teamwork. Well its not happening as fast as some people would like.

The Sixers consistently have less assists than their opponents. If I'm the coach I want to see double digit assists from Miller every night. I'd like to see him be more effective at setting the offense and getting people into position. Of course this takes good players and right now that is not exactly a given with the Sixers.

For me how many assists Miller gets (forget his points) is the best indicator of how effective Cheeks coaching is and where the Sixers are as a team. This also might be one of the reasons you run into fans that want Miller traded. Of course anyone that pays attention to the NBA knows its not that easy to make a trade that actually helps your team.

Teamwork takes time and this is a young team. However if this doesn't get better by the trade deadline then Billy should consider a trade but only for an expiring contract and picks. Otherwise the Sixers are probably better off playing out the string and letting Miller's contract expire.

Posted by rebcalale | October 27, 2007 1:42 PM

Posted on October 27, 2007 13:42

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Author

Marc Narducci is in his 23rd year as a sports reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer. The 2007-2008 season will be his first as the 76ers beat writer. For the past two seasons, Marc had been the backup writer for the Eagles. Over the past few years Marc covered the NBA, NHL and Major League baseball as well as writing on sports media. Prior to covering professional sports, Marc was a long-time high school sportswriter for The Inquirer's South Jersey section.

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