CHICAGO – Andre Miller didn’t attend the 76ers shootaround today at the United Center and coach Maurice Cheeks said it would be a game-time decision whether his point guard plays tonight against the Bulls.
Miller originally suffered a low back injury in Monday’s 100-86 loss to Boston, but played through the injury.
He aggravated the injury and also suffered an abdominal strain in Wednesday’s 83-82 win at Detroit. Miller left the game for good with 6 minutes and 26 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
He didn’t attend Thursday’s light workout in order to get treatment on his back.
Miller was also receiving more treatment yesterday morning, which is why he didn’t attend the shootaround.
“He will be a game-time decision and we will see how he feels,” Cheeks said after today’s shootaround. “…My gut is I think he will go, but he stayed back to get treatment.”
Miller has played in 431 consecutive NBA games. He has said following Wednesday’s win that he would play against the Bulls
« Sixers Insist There Will Be No Letdown | Main | Miller To Start Against Bulls »
Miller A Game-Time Decision
Philly.com discussions are intended to be civil, friendly conversations. Please treat other participants with respect and in a way that you would want to be treated. You are responsible for what you say. And please, stay on topic.
These boards are monitored by Philly.com staff. We reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us in our sole discretion and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. Personal attacks, especially on other board participants, are not permitted. We reserve the right to permanently block any user who violates these terms and conditions.
Copyright © 2006-2008 Philadelphia Newspapers L.L.C. All Rights Reserved.
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.
Search
About
This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on March 14, 2008 12:05 PM.
The previous post in this blog was Sixers Insist There Will Be No Letdown.
The next post in this blog is Miller To Start Against Bulls.
Many more can be found on the main index page or by looking through the archives.
Movable Type 3.35
Comments (23)
A part of me wants Miller to sit out and heal so i can finally see what a starting lineup of Lou williams at fulltime point guard and what his decision making like. And a glimpse of what Rodney Carney looks like in a shooting guard starting role.
Posted by Zeru | March 14, 2008 4:05 PM
Posted on March 14, 2008 16:05
Zeru:
I agree with the first part of you. I know, I know, playoffs, playoffs, but Lou as starting point would be interesting to see. But I don't need to see Carney as the starting two guard.
Posted by Morty | March 14, 2008 4:15 PM
Posted on March 14, 2008 16:15
Hah, Im actually curious to see both parts of Zeru's mind there. Agree that we're in a playoff run so wins are crucial, but im still holding onto a bit of hope for Carney. Even if he doesn't fit into our plans, but shows well down the stretch, maybe we can get some value for him.
Miller is a true warrior though, so part of me is rooting for him to play just so he keeps his streak alive...whaddya think the odds are he plays part of the 1st quarter then sits?
Posted by KM | March 14, 2008 4:37 PM
Posted on March 14, 2008 16:37
By this point in the season, I think we know what Lou Williams looks like at the point. There is a noticeable difference in the offense when Lou runs it. Andre Miller always has his head up trying to run the play and look for his teammates. Unless he has a clear advantage, his shot is secondary. His first option is always getting the ball to a teammate. Lou Williams looks for his shot first. If he has nothing, then he looks for a teammate. Watch the halfcourt sets. When Andre is in there everyone is much more active. They know if they cut he will get them the ball. When Lou is at the point, everyone clears out and leaves him at the top of the key so he can try to break down his man first. This makes for a lot more standing around. Also, Andre is almost always in control and doesn't get rattled, even as the shot clock is winding down. Lou seems to rush things too much. Maybe his quickness, youth and athleticism tends to make him want to play faster. I love Lou. They need what he brings and I hope he is here for a long time. He may develop into the point role, although I don't see it. He really seems beter suited to the 2-guard spot. That's why I can't understand all the "trade Andre Miller" talk out there. If you've really been watching, it's obvious how much they need him on the floor. If they trade Andre they will have to bring in a point to do pretty much what he has been doing all along.
Posted by BRIAN PRUSINSKI | March 14, 2008 4:38 PM
Posted on March 14, 2008 16:38
My absolute best case scenario of what Lou can develop into is a Tony Parker type. Parker is not much of a true point by the way.
Posted by Morty | March 14, 2008 4:49 PM
Posted on March 14, 2008 16:49
Brian, for the most part i agree with you. I do think Lou has improved a bit, but still not convinced he's a PG. Havent seen much trade miller talk lately, but when there was i was right there with you, man.
I am curious to see how lou does with the first unit, if only for one game - we dont get to see much of that. BUT, if i didn't make myself completely clear, I mostly I hope Miller gets better real quick and is ready to lead us down the stretch.
Posted by KM | March 14, 2008 4:51 PM
Posted on March 14, 2008 16:51
He also has not been asked to do very much PG type play this year.
Posted by Morty | March 14, 2008 4:52 PM
Posted on March 14, 2008 16:52
Brian
The thing about thinking we know what Lou is like in a starting role based off of what he does coming off the bench is kinda murky. We know Lou is counted on as instant points coming off the bench so his starting role might not nessasarily be the same nature.
Actually when Miller went down Lou's game changed into a better defensive player and he slowed the game down and tried to distribute. So I'm not saying what Lou is until I actually see him in that "ROLE".
Morty and KM
You are going to be surprised at how much we agree when our team continues to win
Posted by Zeru | March 14, 2008 4:52 PM
Posted on March 14, 2008 16:52
Yeah, let me also say that I would not mind a one game Lou w/out Miller experiment, but not for the rest of playoff run.
Posted by Morty | March 14, 2008 4:53 PM
Posted on March 14, 2008 16:53
Zeru:
Winning cures a lot of ills.
Posted by Morty | March 14, 2008 4:57 PM
Posted on March 14, 2008 16:57
Zeru:
I can go with you up to a point--no pun intended--as far as not knowing how Lou will be until he is in the role of the starting point guard. The thing is this: what if we trade Andre in the offseason thinking that Lou will develop into a top tier point guard and then he doesn't? What do we do then? I guess my point is this: Does Lou have to take over the point guard role for this team to reach it's full potential? Is it not good enough to have him be the best 6th man in the league, a la Ginobli, or the starting 2-guard if we keep Miller--possibly even resigning him for a couple more years? If he takes over the point, even if he is very successful, he is bumping another valuable player off the court. Who picks up Miller's slack?
Posted by BRIAN PRUSINSKI | March 14, 2008 5:12 PM
Posted on March 14, 2008 17:12
If A.Miller doesn!t start tonight I expect Mo to start Ollie, and keep his rotations the same. Datruelife, my concern with Villanuava is his attitude. When put on the bench for a rookie, instead of busting his butt to win back the job his numbers were very up and down.Afraid if he is not given the starters job that he may cause problems. I hope I!m wrong, his numbers lately have been real good.Just think Randolph is a perfect fit and Willie and our cap space would probably get him. But any big salary is a risk, you guys are right. Jason looks like the perfect backup center with our style of play.Have a feeling Lakers may move Odom and lock up Turiaf this summer, you know how Jackson likes his good role players.
Posted by suede | March 14, 2008 6:51 PM
Posted on March 14, 2008 18:51
Suede, i think you know have Mo's tendencies down pretty good, come to think of it. That would be what you'd expect to start Ollie. I would hope its Lou, though, if Miller cant go.
Posted by KM | March 14, 2008 7:05 PM
Posted on March 14, 2008 19:05
Suede, i think you have Mo's tendencies down pretty good, come to think of it. That would be what you'd expect of him start Ollie. I would hope its Lou, though, if Miller cant go.
Posted by KM | March 14, 2008 7:08 PM
Posted on March 14, 2008 19:08
That!s what Brown used to do, Mo!s his pupil.
Posted by suede | March 14, 2008 7:31 PM
Posted on March 14, 2008 19:31
Brian
I understand your point and by one means is Lou ready to be the playmaker that Andre is. I'm not one those guys looking to move our assets for fools gold. I'm just want to see out of curiousity what Lou can do in that role at this point. Andre Miller in my opinion is a Jason Kidd type with a deadly midrange game and post up skills. I notice Billups didnt try to bully him like he does other point guards because he knows better. I'm just curious to see Lou's complete game so I have a better idea of what we have. Not trying to replace Miller at all. Just want to see Lou with real on court responsiblity
Posted by Zeru | March 14, 2008 7:35 PM
Posted on March 14, 2008 19:35
Suede
Yeah that doesnt sound that far off at all. But to echo Morty and KM i'd rather see what Lou can do if we had a choice
Posted by Zeru | March 14, 2008 7:39 PM
Posted on March 14, 2008 19:39
I guess Willie's playing tonight? My preference would be to see more of TYOUNG at the 3 and Iggy at the 2.
Posted by sfw | March 14, 2008 7:44 PM
Posted on March 14, 2008 19:44
Out of curiousity..How many fans in here believe that David Stern instructs refs to call games a certain way for certain teams. Or believe he has influenced games drafts trades in the past basee on region and finance
Posted by Zeru | March 14, 2008 7:48 PM
Posted on March 14, 2008 19:48
Zeru,I think there is some merit to your 2nd point. The draft has always seemed fishy to me.
Posted by sfw | March 14, 2008 7:53 PM
Posted on March 14, 2008 19:53
I don't want to see Andre lose his streak. If he is going to stay here for a while I'd like to see his streak continue.
Posted by sfw | March 14, 2008 7:55 PM
Posted on March 14, 2008 19:55
Stw
I still want andre to play...The bottomline is I want to win regardless..whatever that entails. Just want to get a glimpse of Lou...Yeah I never respected the kobe shaq so called dynasty..seems like they got alot of help...And then the whole situation where the seemed to be the only ones aware that Pau Gasol was available..Makes me scratch my head...Was Mitch really on the phones that hard iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii dont know...
Posted by Zeru | March 14, 2008 8:07 PM
Posted on March 14, 2008 20:07
new blog. Miller to start. Green to sit.
Posted by sfw | March 14, 2008 8:12 PM
Posted on March 14, 2008 20:12