Tom Moore 2.0

[tmoore]

I asked if there's anything to the Sixers-Blazers sign-and-trade rumors involving Miller. Was told the Sixers have heard "nothing at all in Portland -- never was on their part."

[tmoore]

Stefanski Q & A with reporters today from Orlando:

Q: Where do things stand as of right now with Andre Miller?

A: We have made an offer to Andy Miller [Andre’s agent] and Andre Miller. They’re looking for a better offer from other places. Right now, we’re in the mode to see if there’s a sign and trade that makes sense for both sides.

Q: Are you close or far apart?

A: I would say we’re far apart.

Q: Have you contacted any teams about a potential sign-and-trade situation?

A: A couple, but not a lot. Andy Miller is canvassing the league, trying to see if there’s a sign-and-trade that’s possible. I’ve talked to a couple teams, but I wouldn’t say anything is imminent.

Q: Is it the years or the money where you’re far apart?

A: It’s both.

[tmoore]

Additional Stefanski Q & A from Orlando:

Q: If you end up not re-signing Miller, what is your second option?

A: The second option is Lou Williams is going to have a great opportunity here. We’ve groomed him for four years and gave him a contract last year. We’ll see how Holiday progresses and we’ll obviously go out and look for a guy at that position too.

Q:If you don’t re-sign Miller, would you look at bringing in another free agent point guard?

A: I think we’d look for a veteran who would help and compete for that starting position. This will be up to Eddie Jordan: is it Lou Williams’ job to lose, or bring that vet in to compete with him and see how the rookie [Holiday] progresses.

Q:Is that an option for you?

A: That’s an option right now, sure. You have to plan for all the options that could be available.

[tmoore]

Another one from Stefanski:

“(Our interest in Miller) changes when the marketplace changes. The marketplace has changed dramatically, so it’s changed for us, too. Andre Miller did a very nice job for us, but I think where we’re stationed right now and (with the) type of team we have, to go long-term right now is not a prudent decision for our franchise.”

[bebopdeluxe]

Tom:

"You have to plan for all the options that could be available."

Oh, really?

Why weren't they planning for that option LAST SEASON? When it was clear that by drafting a PG and with Miller wanting meaningful $$$, that this might happen, why didn't they give the only PG option that was on this team last season that is UNDER CONTRACT for 2009-10 (Lou Williams) more time at PG?

That is a BIG-TIME weak answer by ES....and it pi$$es me off that one of the reporters there didn't follow up by asking him why he and DiLeo didn't hedge their bets or Miller not being back by either 1) agressively looking to move him at the deadline or 2) PLAY LOU MORE AT PG!!!

Why did the reporters simply let him slide on that $hit?

[The Guilty Party]

Great posts, Tom. Thanks for posting that Q&A here. I'm really starting to believe Miller goes away for nothing which sort of makes sense given the current economic conditions of the team/league but it's frustrating because I think most of us saw this coming last summer.

[tmoore]

Good point. The answer would be you try to win every game, so they thought Miller playing 37 minutes a night gave them the best chance, even if -- when? -- he bolts for another team later this month. Same thing with Speights, who should've played in Games 3 and 4 at home after appearing in the first two games on the road vs. Orlando.

[tmoore]

I wasn't there in Orlando, but got a copy of it via email.

[bebopdeluxe]

But how is a philosophy of "trying to win every game" - which was exemplified by the personnel decisions that they made in the second half of last season - consistent with potentially going with a PG tandem in 2009-10 that has a combined 1000 minutes of college/NBA experience at PG?

If you think you may be parting ways with Miller at the end of the season....going with Lou/Jrue (or whichever PG they drafted) at the point in 2009-10...and accepting the growing pains that will come with that - while you have a healthy Elton Brand at your disposal, BTW - then after Brand gets shut down in February, why don't you use the remaining two months to do everything at your disposal to develop the other guys on the roster (Lou at PG, Iggy/Thad at the 2/3, giving Speights more minutes).

This is a ridiculous inconsistency in philosophy and development of the team and its players.

It was acceptable to "try to win every game" once your All-Star PF is out for the season, but now that he's back in the lineup, you decide to go with a completely unproven solution at PG...deal with the growing pains...and pi$$ away another season of Brand's contract.

Like Denzel asked in the courtroom scene in "Philadelphia", someone needs to explain this to me like I am a 7-year-old...'cause I simply do not get it.

[tmoore]

But how is a philosophy of "trying to win every game" - which was exemplified by the personnel decisions that they made in the second half of last season - consistent with potentially going with a PG tandem in 2009-10 that has a combined 1000 minutes of college/NBA experience at PG?

If you think you may be parting ways with Miller at the end of the season....going with Lou/Jrue (or whichever PG they drafted) at the point in 2009-10...and accepting the growing pains that will come with that - while you have a healthy Elton Brand at your disposal, BTW - then after Brand gets shut down in February, why don't you use the remaining two months to do everything at your disposal to develop the other guys on the roster (Lou at PG, Iggy/Thad at the 2/3, giving Speights more minutes).

This is a ridiculous inconsistency in philosophy and development of the team and its players.

It was acceptable to "try to win every game" once your All-Star PF is out for the season, but now that he's back in the lineup, you decide to go with a completely unproven solution at PG...deal with the growing pains...and pi$$ away another season of Brand's contract.

Like Denzel asked in the courtroom scene in "Philadelphia", someone needs to explain this to me like I am a 7-year-old...'cause I simply do not get it.

I'm not advocating the reason -- excuse? -- I gave. I know Cheeks, DiLeo and Stefanski have to do well to keep their jobs. Maybe being so young at the point would allow the expectations to change, but if this was coming, trying harder to trade Miller at the deadline would've been a wise move.

[bebopdeluxe]

But if Stefanski prides himself on planning for all options, this is a potential outcome (Miller walking) than even a yabo on an internet forum like me can see...so why didn't HE anticipate it and plan better - either by moving Miller or at the very least getting Williams some consistent rotational minutes at PG?

It is clear to me that when Brand went down that Stefanski/DiLeo got sucked into the easy gratification that came with winning a few more games and making the playoffs with Iggy at the 3 and Thad at the 4...even though it ran COMPLETELY counter to the rationale for signing Brand in the first place (and having Iggy at the 2 and Thad at the 3). They took the easy way out...as opposed to the more difficult path of making Speights a 20-25 mpg Willie-Green-like starter at PF and losing the easy wins that came with the open-floor style that - once again - crapped out in the playoffs (ummm...why did we sign Elton Brand again?).

I think that DiLeo got sucked into wanting the job - and forgot about the "player personnel/development" aspect of what he does.

I think Stefanski wanted to make the playoffs - and give the Roberts boys a couple of home gates to try to offset the $165 million in contract he laid out last summer.

And - with where we sit today - I think they blew it BIG-TIME.

I just hope that you (or one of your bretheren) call Stefanski on the inconsistency between "trying to win every game" last season (with the player personnel decisions that went with that) and going with the "Lou and Jrue Show" this season.

[tmoore]

Really seems like Sixers are ready to move on from Miller -- just the sense I get from the whole thing.

[tmoore]

I just hope that you (or one of your bretheren) call Stefanski on the inconsistency between "trying to win every game" last season (with the player personnel decisions that went with that) and going with the "Lou and Jrue Show" this season.

Please remind me and I will ask him about it the next time I see him.

[bebopdeluxe]

Thanks. I really would appreciate it.

[sixerfan1976]

fine on miller..then get something useable..startable to replace him with. lou is nothing but a scorer off the bench and Jrue isnt ready yet.

[tmoore]

fine on miller..then get something usable..startable to replace him with. lou is nothing but a scorer off the bench and Jrue isnt ready yet.

Think that's why people like the idea of Blake so much -- because he could compete for a starting job. But sounds like Blazers aren't interested, at least at this time.

[tmoore]

With Bibby gone, that may be the best the Sixers can do. A Kevin Ollie-type would be a backup.

[tmoore]

Brevin Knight or Juan Dixon, anyone? Could be Ivey again, too.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

TMoore what about CJ Watson? I would like a Dixon addition to the team as well but I think Watson would really fit here. We wouldn't even have to spend the full MLE to get him.

[tmoore]

I believe Watson is a restricted free agent, so Golden State would have the right to match. Think the Sixers want a minimum-salary guy, which he could possibly be.