Miller Happy To Be A Sixer

Post #1 » by **The Guilty Party** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:50 pm

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/six ... ixers.html

Apparently Phil Jasner has succeeded where Ed Stefanski has failed by speaking to Andre Miller about Miller's future with your Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers. While Jasner writes the following....

In a lengthy conversation with the Daily News, Miller revealed that he has not had any discussions with the Sixers about extending his contract, but that he is interested in staying after the coming season.

... there aren't any solid quotes that speak of him returning beyond this season. The closest Jasner got is this quote.

"I like the team, I definitely like the way the team has gone," he said. "I never made any comment as far as not wanting to be in Philadelphia. I pretty much came into the situation and did as much as I could to try and turn the situation into a positive. I definitely like the team. I also know that it's a business, that I can't really say where I want to be because anything can happen. I'm happy with the situation right now. There's definitely some upside to the coming season."

The good news is that this is the most positive Miller has been in any interview that I've read or heard. The bad news is that he continues to only talk about the coming season. Rather than say something along the lines of, "Based on what I've seen from the front office and my teammates, I would like to be here beyond next year but that is out of my hands right now and we will have to wait and see."

That's all I've been looking for... instead, Miller is acting like a man who's been dumped one too many times and it's as if he doesn't want to say that he wants to here out of fear that his feelings will somehow get hurt again should the Sixers not want him.

Weird guy, good interview.

CoachK · Post #2 » by **CoachK** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 3:46 pm

Just a few weeks ago Stefanski stated that he wanted to talk to Miller's agent about extending his contract. Miller fired his agent at the end of the season and has not hired one yet. Stefanski stated that when Miller hired a new agent that he would be talking to him about Miller's future with Phila.

GreenWithEnvy · Post #3 » by **GreenWithEnvy** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 4:59 pm

yeah i got the feeling he didn't seem too excited.

geiger · Post #4 » by **geiger** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 7:03 pm

Miller will be 33 at year's end and I find it funny that he mentioned guys like Payton and Cassell as examples of guys who continued to play at a high level later in their careers. That's why the kid needs an agent. Unless he's looking for a one year extension, he made a pretty terrible comparison since both Payton and Cassell were shells of their selves by the time they hit 35. In Payton's first year with the Lakers he went from being a 20 and 9 guy who was a shut down defender to a 14.5 and 5.5 guy who was a defensive liability. At 35, in his last year with Minnesota, Cassell went from an average to a horrible defender, went from 20 and 7 to 13 and 5. And even Stockton, whom Miller mentions, went from a good to bad defensively by 35, scored about 3 points less per game and saw his assist totals decline from 12 to 7 or 8 and averaged about 29 minutes per game for the rest of his career. And that's taking two hall of fame palyers like Payton and Stockton in there, who were always far better than anything Andre Miller could provide. Not a great selling point if you want a mutli-year extension for starter money.

Post #5 » by **The Guilty Party** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 7:25 pm

The whole deal with him not having an agent only makes me scratch my head. In theory, NOW is the time to have an agent. He could have gone agentless through most of his current contract since I don't believe he needs any negotiating done for sponsors and the like. But anyway, he fired his agent recently when he more or less knew that Ed Stefanski wanted to begins talks of an extension.

I've said it all along and I still don't believe Andre Miller in his heart of hearts wants to be here beyond the end of this upcoming season and rather than straight up tell the Sixers that, he's dodging the question by not having an agent. Now, if hires an agent sometime in the next 2 weeks (what else is he really doing right now besides working out a couple of hours a day??) then my stance will change. That being said, I have a feeling that Miller will hire a new agent after October 31st which I believe is the last day Stefanski can talk about an extension with him.

He's dodgy is what he is.

PhilasFinest · Post #6 » by **PhilasFinest** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 8:54 pm

i agree with you TGP.
I believe Miller deep down inside just doesnt want to be here.Ive grown to be a fan of Miller and what he helped do with this team last season was great.BUt when it all comes down to it,if he really doesnt want to be here hopefully LWill can show he can handle the show or we can make a half decent move luring someone here with Millers expiring.

geiger · Post #7 » by **geiger** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 9:39 pm

He's never been a guy who was particularly happy on the East Coast. I guess I don't blame him. He grew up out west. Went to school out there. Played there most of his career. Has homes on West Coast and in Colorado. His family is there. There is something to be said for comfort. That's the thing, I think if all things are equal, he would rather leave. If we give him more years or overpay him, or both, he would stay. But for the Sixers, would it really be smart to overpay and overextend for a 33 year old PG when everyone knows that PGs, 9 times out of 10, badly decline by the time they hit 35? Probably not. So he's taking a wait and see attitude and the Sixers are as well. In all honesty, probably a smart thing for both parties.

Loose Cannon · Post #8 » by **Loose Cannon** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 9:46 pm

Iggy also turned down a lucrative extension last summer, but he's handcuffed for quite a while now. I'm sure Miller has his own underlying reason for not hiring an agent at the time being.

IggyTheBEaST · Post #9 » by **IggyTheBEaST** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 12:52 am

These quotes dont ease my concerns one bit

Skates · Post #10 » by **Skates** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 1:19 am

He basically sounded like he likes it here, likes the direction of the team and is looking for a multi-year contract for end of career stability. It was not like he gushed about loving it here or talked about hating it. My take is that he is evaluating the situation and will stay if the money is what he wants and the situation with the team keeps improving. Personally I would extend him for a couple of years and draft his eventual replacement next year in a good PG draft. His contract would come off the books the same year as WG, Reggie and Sammy. I think he will probably want more years than that, but I would be opposed to extending him for more than two years.

Wildfire · Post #11 » by **Wildfire** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 2:44 am

If anything these comments aren't good at all, like you said, he mentioned NOTHING about the future.

I would truly be shocked if he's here next season.

Dedicated_76ers_fan · Post #12 » by **Dedicated_76ers_fan** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 4:21 am

This folks, is why it's time to do the Lou Williams VS Andre Miller training camp. I am against overpaying a 33 year old PG to stay here for a yr or two.

bedjaw · Post #13 » by **bedjaw** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 12:57 pm

Wow...an entire thread dedicated to trying to read too much into a man's statement. Here are the facts. Very few people (and cerainly nobody on these boards) are close enoguh to Andre Miller to determine any underlying meaning to what he says or what he doesn't say. He is a very very private person which makes him even harder to read. That is neither good nor bad....it's just "is what it is". Andre Miller has never given us any reason to not take what he says at face value. Has anybody ever heard him be described as dishonest? He said he likes it hear and the direction of the team. Why is that so hard to believe. And so what if he doesn't have an agent. Grant Hill never had an agent and Ron Ron negotiate his last contract himself. AM seems like a smart guy and if he wanted to represent himself he is most likely capable. AM is the complete opposite end of the spectrum to most athletes whe it comes to personality. I for one appreciate that. He does not say anything to get himself in trouble, does not want the spotlight on him yet he still works his tail off and is a very good player. When he says he like it here....just believe him and move on. Don't get offended that he is not in love with the city of Philadelphia. We are just trying to start a controversy over one of the least controversial athletes ever to play in this city.

geiger · Post #14 » by **geiger** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 2:36 pm

Has Andre Miller been described as dishonest? Ask some Cleveland and Clipper fans about that.

Skates · Post #15 » by **Skates** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 7:16 pm

bedjaw wrote:Wow...an entire thread dedicated to trying to read too much into a man's statement.

Seriously, for basketball fans that's all there is to do at this time of year. Besides, Miller isn't exactly an easy read.

geiger · Post #16 » by **geiger** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 7:59 pm

Frankly, I doubt anyone really cares about what Miller has to say. What people care is what will happen with a PG who will be 33 this season, who is a free agent at year's end, and in light of our roster and cap situation. This was just an excuse for people to start a conversation that's been on people's minds the entire off-season.

freshie2 · Post #17 » by **freshie2** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 10:25 pm

MIller holding out for a contract at the end of his career is a lot different than Iguodala at the beginning of his. If Miller makes $5 million a year and can live 'at home' for the last few seasons, does he do it? I appreciate what he has brought to the team, but still think if you can move him for some high value, you have to consider it. I don't see him resigning here in the off season.

Loose Cannon · Post #18 » by **Loose Cannon** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 12:10 am

Like I've said before, I'd much rather evaluate him throughout this season and see if his age begins showing itself before hastily tossing him a fat contract.

ankle420breaker · Post #19 » by **ankle420breaker** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 6:04 pm

AD28 wrote:Like I've said before, I'd much rather evaluate him throughout this season and see if his age begins showing itself before hastily tossing him a fat contract.

Agreed. As much as I like Miller, there's no need to rush into extending him this early. I do think he's going to prove to be an integral part of the team....I mean he's really been our engine since he got here, but at his age you want to see some assurance that he'll be able to play at a high level for a few more years.

dond · Post #20 » by **dond** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 5:51 pm

ankle420breaker wrote:Agreed. As much as I like Miller, there's no need to rush into extending him this early. I do think he's going to prove to be an integral part of the team....I mean he's really been our engine since he got here, but at his age you want to see some assurance that he'll be able to play at a high level for a few more years.

Just wondering what you would accept as "assurance" ?

If he plays well next year, will that be assurance that he will be able to play at a high level for a few more years ?