Mike Miller - Wants to play for winner. Mentions Lakers

[ALL HAIL]

As far as I see I think an overwhelming majority of us are for Mike Miller.

You're right.

Count me as the dude who is only in favor of signing him under three stipulations:
[1] if Miller is signed for 3 millon
[2] if we sign a passer/ball-handler who can defend very well
and
[3] if Artest loses about 20 pounds and gains enough quickness to guard PGs (so Kobe, Artest, and Miller can play together on a regular basis).

Miller and Kobe in the backcourt with Artest and two bigs up front could work if Artest could matchup defensively against PGs when attempting to conserve Kobe's energy.

I think Artest could do it. I also think Miller would come here for 3.5 mill.

My only question is: Who could fill that second need?

Livingston is the quick answer, but he's only viable if he can actually stilll check quick PGs.

If Livingston can't actually guard Rondo, or Jameer Nelson, or Deron Williiams, or Steph Curry then he will only put more pressure on Artest and Kobe to check these type of guards; which defeats the purpose.

If Livingston can guard PGs he's easily THE GUY to sign with Miller (at 3 mill), but if Livingston can't, I don't sign Miller unless I DEFINITELY have someone in mind to fill that role of PG defender/ball distributor.

Assuming that Artest and Kobe could hold oppossing PGs in check (so Miller can play alongside them), I see Shaun Livingston, Mardy Collins, Marquis Daniels, Acie Law, Anthony Carter, Chris Duhon, Kevin Ollie, or Javaris Crittenton all fitting my bill as emergency PG defender and floor general off the bench (maybe 10 mins a game if Artest and Kobe are fine defensively playing alongside Miller).

Livingston is by far the most intriguing off that list, but I have serious questions whether or not he can be a defensive upgrade over Fisher.

Chris Duhon is the safest and best pick to sign (for the minimum) with Mike Miller (for 3 mill).

Duhon would automatically be the best PG defender on the roster and he'd add savvy ball-handling, floor leadership and some shooting too.

If Shannon Brown opts in:
PG - Fisher - Duhon
SG - Bryant - Brown (won't see many mins) - Vujacic
C - Bynum - Gasol - Mbenga
PF - Odom - Powell
SF - Artest - Miller - Walton

If Shannon Brown opts out:
PG - Fisher - Duhon
SG - Bryant - Vujacic
C - Bynum - Gasol - Mbenga
PF - Odom - Powell
SF - Artest - Miller - Walton

Again, if Kobe and Artest, in particular, could slim down enough to guard PGs for about ten minutes a game, Miller would essentially be taking most of Fisher's backup PG minutes; which means that Duhon would only get the leftover minutes and any "matchup minutes" against PGs who are too much for Fisher and Artest/Kobe.

Mike Miller and Chris Duhon for under 4.5 million!

[Crooked-I]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjKk092NupI

Damn can you sat AUTOMATIC.

[Slava]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjKk092NupI

Damn can you sat AUTOMATIC.

I can come close to doing that on my good day. Same spot, pass coming to the chest everytime, its not that tough.

I've heard someone say Sasha knocked like 15 3s left handed during shoot around once. He was just goofing around too.

[Slava]

As far as I see I think an overwhelming majority of us are for Mike Miller.

You're right.

Count me as the dude who is only in favor of signing him under three stipulations:
[1] if Miller is signed for 3 millon

I can safely say Miller will get the full MLE from any team that signs an all star caliber player. Shooters get overpaid (look at Korver, Kapono, Sasha, Posey etc) and Miller is much more than just a spot up shooter.

[2] if we sign a passer/ball-handler who can defend very well
and
[3] if Artest loses about 20 pounds and gains enough quickness to guard PGs (so Kobe, Artest, and Miller can play together on a regular basis).

Miller and Kobe in the backcourt with Artest and two bigs up front could work if Artest could matchup defensively against PGs when attempting to conserve Kobe's energy.

I think Artest could do it. I also think Miller would come here for 3.5 mill.

At this stage of his career Artest might as well defend PFs than PGs. He's not like Ariza, who has quick feet, Artest has always been a physical defender right since his INDY days. If you defend PGs like that you'd foul out in 10 possessions.

My only question is: Who could fill that second need?

Livingston is the quick answer, but he's only viable if he can actually stilll check quick PGs.

If Livingston can't actually guard Rondo, or Jameer Nelson, or Deron Williiams, or Steph Curry then he will only put more pressure on Artest and Kobe to check these type of guards; which defeats the purpose.

If Livingston can guard PGs he's easily THE GUY to sign with Miller (at 3 mill), but if Livingston can't, I don't sign Miller unless I DEFINITELY have someone in mind to fill that role of PG defender/ball distributor.

Livingston in our system would be an offensive liability. He'll not have the ball in his hands enough to make an impact and he's never been a reliable spot up shooter.

Assuming that Artest and Kobe could hold oppossing PGs in check (so Miller can play alongside them), I see Shaun Livingston, Mardy Collins, Marquis Daniels, Acie Law, Anthony Carter, Chris Duhon, Kevin Ollie, or Javaris Crittenton all fitting my bill as emergency PG defender and floor general off the bench (maybe 10 mins a game if Artest and Kobe are fine defensively playing alongside Miller).

Livingston is by far the most intriguing off that list, but I have serious questions whether or not he can be a defensive upgrade over Fisher.

Signing a PG and still hacing Kobe and Ron defend the opposition PGs kind of defeats the purpose doesn't it?

Chris Duhon is the safest and best pick to sign (for the minimum) with Mike Miller (for 3 mill).

Duhon would automatically be the best PG defender on the roster and he'd add savvy ball-handling, floor leadership and some shooting too.

Duhon sucks. Sorry no other way to put it, he's slower than Fisher and his all round game is just terrible. Just go on the Knicks board and ask this question and they'll laugh at you for even bringing it up.

Mike Miller and Chris Duhon for under 4.5 million!

Yeah right, good luck with that.

[ALL HAIL]

Artest slimming down is lofty. You might very well be right. This is by far your best point however.

You say miller gets FULL MLE. I say who? Where? Who gives it to him in a positon to win games?

I say no one. Unless you help me change my mind.

You say Livingston (assuming he will be okay on defense) will be an offensive liability.

I say you're right, initially, but he'd be brought along slowly and put in games to play defense against PGs (assuming he's able) and pass the ball in much the same manner that Walton does but with much more ball handling relief.

You say signing a PG and having Artest or Kobe guard PGs while Miller is on the floor defeats the purpose.

I say huh? You are obviously misunderstanding. Fisher is the starting PG on defense, when Fisher comes out Miller can come in. When Miller is in with Artest and Kobe, one of them has to check the opposing PG. Most days it should work (if Artest slims down). Other nights you use that PG you signed to play pitbul defense on the opposing PG ... it'd called a fourth guard.

You say Duhon sucks.

I say he can still play solid defense when we need relief and he can feed the post and knock down a jumper every blue moon ... that's all we'd need.

You say I need luck with the idea that Miller and Duhon come here for under 5 million.

I say Duhon would sign a minimum contract yesterday to come here and, again, what other winning team can afford to spend 5 millionon Miller?

WHO?

[cbrown32]

as I've said before, out of all the free agents I think miller is the one that has a very high possibility of coming here.

hes exactly what we need: a deadly three point shooter that can play 2/3 spot..I think mitch would make an offer to him

he wont get more than MLE

would be looking to sign with a contender

bffs with pau

plus I forgot he played with kobe in the team USA!!!

I would love to see Miller in purple and gold and he and pau did play in memphis together but he and kobe are far from bff..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQTWMVCJnG0

[RocketPower23]

In regards to Duhon, I had the misfortune of watching him all season long, and by no means is he a "solid" defender or a guy that's capable of coming in and hitting a jumpshot. For all the grief Fish has gotten over the years, I'd rather have him over Duhon. If we're getting a point guard, we're getting someone who could actually help and make an impact, not a worse version of our starting point guard.

[xkirruax]

Artest slimming down is lofty. You might very well be right. This is by far your best point however.

You say miller gets FULL MLE. I say who? Where? Who gives it to him in a positon to win games?

I say no one. Unless you help me change my mind.

You say Livingston (assuming he will be okay on defense) will be an offensive liability.

I say you're right, initially, but he'd be brought along slowly and put in games to play defense against PGs (assuming he's able) and pass the ball in much the same manner that Walton does but with much more ball handling relief.

You say signing a PG and having Artest or Kobe guard PGs while Miller is on the floor defeats the purpose.

I say huh? You are obviously misunderstanding. Fisher is the starting PG on defense, when Fisher comes out Miller can come in. When Miller is in with Artest and Kobe, one of them has to check the opposing PG. Most days it should work (if Artest slims down). Other nights you use that PG you signed to play pitbul defense on the opposing PG ... it'd called a fourth guard.

You say Duhon sucks.

I say he can still play solid defense when we need relief and he can feed the post and knock down a jumper every blue moon ... that's all we'd need.

You say I need luck with the idea that Miller and Duhon come here for under 5 million.

I say Duhon would sign a minimum contract yesterday to come here and, again, what other winning team can afford to spend 5 millionon Miller?

WHO?

You do know Fisher makes Nash look like Kobe on D? yet thats who you want in for most the game for D?

Miller T Mack all of them are saying they want to play for the Lakers in hopes that if teams think they really will join the Lakers they will get scared and overpay them to keep them from the Lakers. Those guys dont care about rings they want more $$$$$$$$$ once they get those checks they going to have a pressconfrence saying it wasnt about the money once i saw Min was calling i was like ZOMG they got a great core who looks like they are on the crisp of conteding and i am just the final peace they need to conted.

Lakers dont need a broken knees project we already got Bynum filling that roll we need a real PG Like felton to run the point.

While Duhon might be nice on d off the bench i dont think i want him starting as a PG on the Lakers.

Lakers dont pay 12 mil a year on a bench player we alread learned our lesson on Morrison Sasha and Walton yet you want 2 add to that....

[thegamefritz]

Mike Miller has already expressed that he wants to join a contender. Why won't the lakers FO and the players lure him...
Mike Miller is ashooter-we all know that we need shooters and someone who can spread the floor and hit the 3. Also he is an average defender.. he can play SF or SG.. he can even be a tall PG.he'll be a good fit with our triangle coz he is also an above average passer. He can back up kobe or ron.. MITCH PLEASE GET MIKE MILLER ..

[Dr Aki]

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=1021436

[dockingsched]

mike miller would be a great get with the mle. lakers eventually need someone who can productively help kobe not play so many minutes.

[Kilroy]

I have this nagging memory that at one point in the last few years Phil actually gave a pretty glowing review of Miller's play when we were in town playing them. Am I remembering that correctly or was it someone else?

It sounded like Phil was real impressed with him.

[laduane1]

Pass on the head case he is.

[daddyfivestar]

Anyone know how he and Pau got along in Mem?

[The Skyhook]

Anyone know how he and Pau got along in Mem?

I been reading that he and Pau are BFFs.

[iamworthy]

But whoever signs with the Lakers will have to take a pay cut because they don't plan on using the mid-level exception to sign a player. They will be looking to sign an experienced big man for the veteran's minimum, which will be as much as $1.325 million for a player with 10 years or more of experience.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lak ... 8566.story

[Mamba Venom]

Wasnt he an Olympian

Maybe he can learn to play D