Andre Miller on 950 WPEN W/ Jody Mac

[The Guilty Party]

Did anyone else hear the interview Jody Mac did with Andre Miller around 4PM today? Miller called in from his hotel room in LA and was his normal relaxed self which made for a boring chat. To his credit, Jody Mac finished off the interview with two very interesting questions.

1) Have you or your agent talked about a contract extension with the Sixers?

Andre answered that it was too soon to begin thinking about an extension.

Jody followed up with...

2) When you become an unrestricted free agent next summer, will you want to re-sign with the 76ers and what do you think about Philly?

This was the most interesting part of the interview. Still in his relaxed, almost comatose, voice Andre answered that with "Ya know, I'm a West Coast Guy" and that Philly is "alright" but he'll be okay as long as he has a job somewhere.

The interview ended and Jody said that while Andre Miller has been playing great basketball... his answer to whether or not he'd want to re-sign here raised a red-flag with him. I agree. Did anyone else catch this interview?

It took some time, but I eventually signed onto the idea of not only keeping Miller past this trade deadline but keeping him around for another 3 years or so since the odds are that he'll still be playing top notch ball. After hearing that interview, I came away thinking that Miller will be here for another 14 months at the most whether the Sixers want him or not.

I'm not saying that Miller needs to be traded this summer but I do believe that the Sixers have to plan for a future without Andre Miller. I guess the Sixers could just keep Miller and let him expire and come off of the cap but they are going to need to address this issue at some point because like Baron Davis, I don't believe Andre Miller has much interest in playing for a team located outside of Cali.

[sixers_610]

As each win comes, I think BK looks somewhat smart for the trade he made, even though in a perfect world, he would have landed A. Miller plus a higher pick.

[Fire BK]

Still in his relaxed, almost comatose, voice Andre answered that with "Ya know, I'm a West Coast Guy" and that Philly is "alright" but he'll be okay as long as he has a job somewhere.

Wow. This is disconcerting. I've become so enamored with his playmaking ability, leadership and professionalism, that I actually want to see Miller retire a Sixer. Franchise floor generals like Miller are almost as hard to find as a low-post presence, and both are required to win championships. Miller is playing at the top of his game right now. So he's 32. Whatever. Kobe's about to be 30, and he's got way more NBA mileage on him than Miller. You don't see Kobe slowing down anytime, do you? I don't think Miller's as old as people make him out to be....

But this is tough news... There's a lot of West Coast teams that might want his services next summer.... Seattle and Portland will both have ridiculous cap space in 09. Both northwest teams might be ready to take that next step then, too....

If Miller really wants out when he becomes an UFA, I certainly hope we flip him this summer for some value rather than let him walk for free. Because this team doesn't have a surplus of assets, they must get maximum returns on every chip... I love Miller, and want him to be a Sixer for life. But if the feelings aren't mutual, then I say ship him on draft day.

[Skates]

I don't think this is disconcerting to Stefanski because I don't think he has any intention of keeping Miller past next year. He could be packaged this summer or next year before the deadline. I'm split about 50/50 on which will happen. I don't think he gets an extension here or that he just expires here next year. This summer nad next year the combination of his continued good play and expiring contract should make him a highly sought after commodity. However, if he is going, there obviously needs to be a replacement plan in place other than Lou Williams.

[The Guilty Party]

I guess a lot will depend on what happens this summer but if we do spend our cap space this summer, I don't know that just letting Miller walk is the right way to go. I guess we will just have to wait to see what kind of salary we take on before the season and figure out if letting Miller expire will allow us to make a push a bigger name FA. Then again, next summer doesn't exactly look to be all that great. It's the summer of 2010 that will have the big names (LeBron, Amare, Wade).

[Fire BK]

I don't know that just letting Miller walk is the right way to go . . . letting Miller expire will allow us to make a push a bigger name FA. Then again, next summer doesn't exactly look to be all that great. It's the summer of 2010 that will have the big names (LeBron, Amare, Wade).

great points, Mr. Young.

I think your report on Jody Mac's interview is bigger news than people realize. At 33, Miller is clearly going to seek a max year deal. For example, if one of the Northwest teams (only my projection, dond) like SEA or POR offers him a 5-year deal, Andre Miller will sprint from Philly faster than Shane Victorino on a sac-fly.

Therefore, let's deal him this summer! This is coming from the most staunch supporter on these boards. I'm on record as the first to say I want Andre Miller to retire a Sixer. But if he's serious about being a "west-coast guy," it's time to find a new point guard.

I know you like Marcus Williams in NJ....

[mkm2]

TGP, I heard the interview as well. And, you know, it did sound as bad as you made it sound. Not only did he give that answer, but there was a significant pause before he delivered. He really didn't know what to say. And there was a tone to the previous answer (about it being too early to talk extension) that made it seem like he really didn't want to and that answer was just the easy out.

I had just begun to think about a future (3-4 years out) with Andre Miller as being the best route for this team. But after hearing that interview, and specifically the tone in his voice... I think the Sixers have to plan for life without Andre Miller AFTER next season. Which means, yes, they need to think about dealing him sooner than later. I'm glad you heard and posted it... because it flew under the radar, but shouldn't have.

[The Guilty Party]

You're right, mkm2. It's not just the words he spoke but there was that awkward pause after the question. I mean... this is kind of an accurate version of the question.

Do you want to re-sign in Philly??
*pause*
*pause*
*pause*
*pause*
*pause*
A) Well..... you know I'm a West Coast Guy.
*pause*
*pause*
.... Philly is "alright" and I'll just be happy if I have a job somewhere.

That's not a ringing endorsement for re-signing here and the pauses make me think that he wanted to be honest but didn't want to blatantly say I'm not interested in staying on the East Coast.

Seriously... this is pretty significant when you figure that Lou has shown himself to be more of a 2 than a 1 and this team currently doesn't have a PG to groom behind Miller.

[mkm2]

that's pretty accurate. might even be conservative. it was painfully quiet and long. the quotes around "alright" are meant to indicate a sort of forced attempt at positivity in his voice that smacked of remorse. it was odd.

the thing is, clearly, the sixers will have the opportunity to offer him the best deal if they retain his rights through next year. but, at the twilight of his career, into his third contract, it sure sounded like he'll give up a few extra million over the course of a deal to go home/west. i mean, i don't even think he'll flinch.

so, TGP, you're right. lou isn't a pure point. no question. they don't have that player on this roster. and, seeing as how this could end up being both a pretty good PG class in the draft AND free agency, you almost have to wonder if that position become a priority in both, with the idea of moving miller for that power forward. options have to be considered.

[Fire BK]

I just read this quote from Ed Stefanski on the Sixers website, regarding the potential re-signing and future of Andre Miller as a Sixer:

He

[dond]

This is coming from the most staunch supporter on these boards. I'm on record as the first to say I want Andre Miller to retire a Sixer.

Sorry, buddy ... but you are a tad late on those declarations ! I have been all-in for Andre Miller from the moment he arrived. Welcome aboard !

[Mahorn at the 4]

Perhaps Miller goes to Seattle this summer in a deal for Wilcox. They will get another high pick this year and a veteran PG like Miller will help them grow as players and as a team.

We can use the cap space to make a move for Calderon to play PG. O, if TJ Ford is healthy, maybe the Raps would do a deal involving Calderon and Dalembert. The Raps will need to make some changes to take the next step in the east.

We could draft Hibbert to play the 5. He would be a great passing big man to have with this slashing style of play we have.

[bebopdeluxe]

Sorry, guys.

When it comes to Andre Miller, nobody on this forum has showed more consistent man-love to him that I have.