How To Fix the Portland Trail Blazers’ Point Guard Situation
Ever since the beginning of training camp, the point guard logjam in Portland has been an ongoing issue. Andre Miller wants to start and is not happy with his role with the Blazers. He has struggled to fit in with the team’s system and there is speculation that he’s on the trading block. Jerryd Bayless just wants consistent minutes and is reportedly looking to be moved. Steve Blake’s numbers have been significantly down from a season ago and although he hasn’t asked out of the Rose City, you can bet he wouldn’t mind seeing Miller go.
Right now, the Blazers are struggling and are trying to find answers. They’ve lost six of their last eight games and have dropped to the eighth spot in the West. Both Miller and Bayless have both vented their frustration to the media. Bayless, who was the team’s first round draft pick in 2008, has proven that he can produce when given meaningful minutes. He’s scored over double digits four times this season despite never getting more than 22 minutes of action.
“I know every time I play I’ve helped this team. Every single time,” Bayless told The Oregonian recently. “It’s tough. Especially since, and I hate saying this, seeing these other guys (Blake and Miller) doing what they are doing. I know I can help this team. I know I can.”
Miller’s stats have also taken a nose dive this season. He is averaging 11.4 ppg, 4.5 apg, 2.8 rpg on 41 percent shooting versus 16.3 ppg, 6.5 apg, 4.5 rpg on 47 percent shooting a season ago. He clearly seems unhappy in Portland, but has tried to maintain a professional attitude.
“It’s a business,” Miller told the media last week. “I don’t get caught up in pointing fingers. I’m here to play basketball. I came in here with a professional attitude, and that’s how I want to keep it. If people want to point fingers at me, I could care less about that. I’ll be all right.”
Miller’s style of play contrasts with his teammates. He is more of a slow down guard who needs the ball in his hands, while the team needs somebody who can play off Brandon Roy and can knock down open shots when Roy gets doubled. It would be in the team’s best interest to move ‘Dre, but like Stephen Jackson, that’s easier said than done considering Miller’s age (33) and the remainder of his contract (he just signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Blazers over the offseason). It should be noted that Miller is eligible to be traded tomorrow (Dec. 15).
If they are able to get rid of Miller (preferably for a big man), there will be more stability at the point guard spot. Coach Nate McMillan or interim coach Dean Demopoulos won’t have to worry about micro-managing their minutes or trying to play them simultaneously. Blake would start to look comfortable again and they can hopefully rekindle the same chemistry they enjoyed in 2008-09.
Getting rid of Miller would open up an opportunity for Bayless, who could resume Sergio Rodriguez’s role from a season ago. Although Bayless is an explosive offensive player, he plays more like a shooting guard and needs time to hone his point guard skills. Playing behind Blake for a season or two will allow him to develop before taking over as the starting point guard.
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December 14th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
isotope says:
Of the three, I’d rather have Miller. No question. I don’t have the numbers but isnt he making the most money of the three? I would assume that would make him harder to move.
December 14th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
two times says:
Try to move Miller for productive, athletic big off the bench. Portland needs to toughen up…they need a Buck Williams-type bruiser.
December 14th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
yao says:
andre miller for gortat??
December 14th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Miller for Haslem. Miller for Caron Butler (although the Wizards do not need another guard). Maybe work something out for Camby?
December 14th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
92021SpurMD says:
I’m starting to think that Andre Miller doesn’t fit into anyone’s system….
December 14th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
@Yao
Interesting idea but I’m not sold on Gortat for his price tag. I’d take Bass though. He can be just as productive and comes cheaper.
December 14th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
If Miller needs to start to fit into a system then he needs to go a team without a lock on the point position. Orlando, Miami, Indiana, and NY come to mind.
December 14th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
two times says:
@Spliff
I was thinking Haslem, too, but don’t see why/how the Heat would want to pull the trigger on this one. Camby is more probable, but I don’t think he’s got much left in his tank…in hindsight the Blazers should have picked up Ben Wallace seeing as how he’s surged back into relevance this year.
Hey, maybe Memphis wants to give away another Gasol…
December 14th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
LakeShow84 says:
Coaching issue..
3 talented PG’s who all want minutes and ALL OF THEM want to be moved??
Bad coaching.. Someone should be happy.. and someone should be getting a bulk of the backup minutes..
December 14th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Steve A says:
It puzzles me the level of loyalty the Blazers and Coach Nate show Blake. Almost as if he is an aging superstar. Blake is a backup PG, yet they want him to be a starter. Miller was obviously a mistake, and now they have quite the problem on their hands. Either trade Blake or Miller and Bayless can be the backup PG.
December 14th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Shakazulu12 says:
I honestly think Roy needs to adjust a bit. I understand he feels best when he is dominating the ball, but that is not going to get Portland to a title. Ask Kobe, Lebron or Wade if they would like MORE ball handling duties for a whole season and the playoffs, or if they would like having someone else that could take all that pressure off them and set up teamates etc, thus opening the floor more so that they could do more damage and easier.
Guess what the answer would be?
December 14th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
bfears says:
miller is the now but bayless is the future.
December 14th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
KCL says:
Why Trade Miller? he’s plays well when he gets consistent minutes with (key word) GOOD PLAYERS! he cant do anything when Nate forces him to play with bayless, juwan howard and martell. They havent even given the Roy-Miller combination a chance yet, Miller needs to plain start because he’s thourghly outplayed Blake at this point. Also everyone argues that blake needs to be out there for his three point shooting but he isn’t hitting anything this year and he’s turning it over way more than Miller. Just start Miller, Roy and Martell (who is begging for more consistent minutes) Roy and Miller can swich off lead point duties and Martell can be the kick out guy. Bayless should definetly be the first guard off the bench and just let him play cuz he does produce when given the chance, just be sure to put a real point with him and move roy to the three for spurts. The coaching staff is coddling Roy and blakes feelings when their still not putting up the numbers, changes are needed but I dont think a trade is it because we wont get back the same value. we just need to get through a couple of months so they can get healthy
December 14th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
eyes says:
THE N.B.A. 09-10. Where Steve Blake,Chris Duhon,Keith Bogans,Charlie Bell,Quinton Ross,Jarret Jack,Aaron Afflalo,Mike Conley. When guys mentioned above START for WHATEVER Reason their is a shortage of talent in the L. These players couldn’t take you to the playoffs in a shortened season. Who are we lying to hear. They’re not even comfortable starting.
Also to rekindle the lights on vets 30+ like L.Hunter,K.Ollie, that’s just a pure smack in the face of deserving young guys who have worked their tails off. Is this really the direction of the league? Why even have a DLeague if it’s going to be mismanaged. People like to see a good show. Wathcing a bunch of avg at best political correct players does nothing for the sport. It will continue to go downhill & players will regress even more so than now.
PLEASE SOMEONE DO SOMETHING. A BUSINESS SHOULDN’T BE RAN SO POORLY. THE BRAINWASHING HAS TO STOP.
December 14th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Seven Duece says:
I never understood why Portland signed Miller in the first place, who clearly has over valued himself all of his career. But Bayless trying to take a swipe at his team mates doesn’t make him look any better. Especially since he’s NOT a PG. NEVER will be a PG. He’s a scorer trying to please the Blazers. They should trade him for Nate Rob and be done with it.
December 14th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
POPPI GEE says:
I think they need to make that trade happen and go ahead and get Skip(who wants out of Jersery anyway) and let him start cause he should fit fine in that Blazer system and then let Bayless back him up with more minutes.
Team is better and your player of the future is happy and you got Skip who is proven and will do what you need at that spot.
Trade 1 guard for Skip and the other for a big man to take that spot of Oden. He might not give you Oden numbers but still at least have a presence for D or something.
December 14th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
life-p says:
@3
Awesome proposal!!!!!
December 14th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Nikolokolus says:
even Duece says:
I never understood why Portland signed Miller in the first place, who clearly has over valued himself all of his career. But Bayless trying to take a swipe at his team mates doesn’t make him look any better. Especially since he’s NOT a PG. NEVER will be a PG. He’s a scorer trying to please the Blazers. They should trade him for Nate Rob and be done with it.
————————————————————
It’s been well documented that Jason Quick, the beat writer that wrote that added the Miller and Blake reference. Bayless was actually talking about other young point guards who are getting burn around the league and he said this after playing against Brandon Jennings, his close friend/rival. He’s never been the type to throw teammates under the bus, and Mr. Quick has a reputation for stirring the pot. I know who I’m inclined to believe in this situation.
December 14th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
two times says:
Uggh. Why would P-town want to give up Jerryd (who could have a potentially high ceiling) to create a different logjam at the 1 and 2 with Nate Rob or Skip. I like both these guys, but they’re limitations are well-known throughout the L. Paul Allen NEEDS BIGS now. Juwan Howard should not be logging the minutes that he has been.
December 14th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Pet Society Help says:
Trade all 3 knuckleheads and cash to Minnesota for the rights to Ricky Rubio.
December 14th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
dagwaller says:
Blake > Miller. J Bayless is unproven – since when are players in their rookie contracts allowed to beef with 7, 8, 9 year old vets holding onto their jobs?
December 14th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Brettman says:
you can only hope Miller does not end up in Orlando, if he was to fit in their system it would mean disaster for the rest of the league.Magics 1st five off the bench would be better that some starting 5’s around the L
December 14th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Dodge Taylor says:
Two words … Patrick Mills!! Ship the rest of them out of town and let the kid play.
Well, we can only hope …
December 15th, 2009 at 10:27 am
haslem says:
Blazers should ship off a swing man or too, they just have to much talent on that team, get rid of some and get a big man.
December 15th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Chicagorilla says:
trade for Allen Iverson!
December 15th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
ripcityphil says:
nobody on the team is hitting open shots and to make matters worse Roy & Lamarcus quit playing on the defensive end – the worst teams in the league score easy baskets and shoot a high % against the Blazers.
The Blazers have more problems than just the backcourt.
December 15th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Dave says:
I’d love to see Bayless get an opportunity. He could strike up a special 1-2 punch alongside Brandon Roy down the road. Bayless could give Portland that extra go-to scorer it needs on the perimeter.
This lack of playing time is only hurting his development.
December 16th, 2009 at 2:05 am
M says:
They still have Patty Mills… Yes I’m an Aussie
December 20th, 2009 at 2:05 am
Doug says:
Just trade Miller. It’s just not working. There may be glimmers of bright spots, but the current elements just won’t make good chemistry on this team. Chalk it up as a good try and let Bayless be the backup pg and eventually the starter.