Mike Miller to The Thunder?

[One More Rebound]

Word is, they are the leader in the clubhouse. They can only offer the vet minimum, but he will be getting a year's pay from Miami anyway. Good move for The Thunder?

 

[SoonerBounce13]

I'm a fan of it...esp for league minimum. I'd rather have him that Fisher. Even though I think Fisher deserves more credit than people like to give him

 

[One More Rebound]

Can they trust Miller's back for a full season, though?

 

[bocabull]

Miller is an adequate replacement for Kevin Martin. Substantially more than adequate for the playoffs. Who cares how many games he plays in the regular season if he's banging 50% from 3 in the playoffs?

 

[One More Rebound]

Denver making a strong push for Miller, as they can offer Mike more playing time than other teams...

 

[sperry]

Denver making a strong push for Miller, as they can offer Mike more playing time than other teams...

They also have absolutely no prayer of winning, so he's going to have to make a choice. Play a bunch of minutes for a bad team, or come off the bench a little for a title caliber team. Not sure that there is a right answer to that question.

 

[One More Rebound]

Denver won 57 games last year-hardly a bad team...

 

[sperry]

Denver won 57 games last year-hardly a bad team...

They dramatically overachieved, lost in the first round, and lost probably their best player, while most of their competition got significantly better. They will likely be a 7 or 8 seed that won't make it out of the 1st round.


So, mediocre team is probably the correct phrasing, not bad. The point remains. At this point in Miller's career, with the money guaranteed wherever he goes, the decision comes down to playing time vs. a deep playoff run and a chance at a title.

 

[bocabull]

He just won 2 titles. People forget he was a team USA elite level talent. He probably wants a bigger role to play more.

 

[sperry]

He just won 2 titles. People forget he was a team USA elite level talent. He probably wants a bigger role to play more.

Like I said, it's not an easy or obvious choice. Wouldn't blame him either way.

 

[bocabull]

I remember seeing Miller with Team USA in Vegas back in 2008 during an inter squad scrimmage. When healthy he fits right in with the best of the best.

His back issues could make it the wiser decision to take a smaller role on a contender rather than a leading role on a decent playoff team like Denver. Too many minutes might not work for anybody, including him.

 

[One More Rebound]

Word is, it's The Grizzlies...

 

[sperry]

Word is, it's The Grizzlies...

Might have gotten the best of both worlds there. A lot playing time on a contender.

 

[bocabull]

Why would anybody assume that OKC would offer less playing time than Memphis? Memphis is far deeper than OKC with proven talent on the wings with Prince, Pondexter, Allen & Bayless. OKC has what after Durant? Sefalosha? Lamb?

OKC is turning into the old Jazz. Westbrook/Durant the equivalent of Stockton/Malone but they can't afford to surround them with anything else.

 

[sperry]

Why would anybody assume that OKC would offer less playing time than Memphis? Memphis is far deeper than OKC with proven talent on the wings with Prince, Pondexter, Allen & Bayless. OKC has what after Durant? Sefalosha? Lamb?

OKC is turning into the old Jazz. Westbrook/Durant the equivalent of Stockton/Malone but they can't afford to surround them with anything else.

Because Brooks doesn't utilize his bench very well.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

Why would anybody assume that OKC would offer less playing time than Memphis? Memphis is far deeper than OKC with proven talent on the wings with Prince, Pondexter, Allen & Bayless. OKC has what after Durant? Sefalosha? Lamb?

OKC is turning into the old Jazz. Westbrook/Durant the equivalent of Stockton/Malone but they can't afford to surround them with anything else.

lol boca'd

 

[bocabull]

Hey there's nothing wrong with being the Stockton/Malone Jazz or the Dirk/Mavs. A decade of lots of winning and maybe a title. Just not a dynasty.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

just laughing at your statement about Memphis being far deeper than that thunder

 

[bocabull]

just laughing at your statement about Memphis being far deeper than that thunder

Is there any doubt they are on the wing and in the paint? The Thunder have the two best players but after that the Griz are far deeper. We all know you win in the playoffs with quarters though so these teams are still a wash.

 

[DenverSooner]

At his age I wonder what his motivations are?

Is it money? One would think he is fairly set financially. Of course you never know with athletes given how many have gone broke.

Is it playing time? With his injuries perhaps a limited role is a positive thing?

Is it being on a contender? Denver isn't horrible but OKC has a much better chance of winning a title in my opinion.

Is it intangibles such as which team he is more comfortable with?

How nice would it be to be in Miller's situation? Lots of money, doing what you love and having options is a good thing.

I have to say, I wanted the Spurs to win and I was not too pleased with Miller in the finals. If he comes to OKC, I hope he can play like that for the Thunder.