China fans' reaction to Big Events of this season
by chinafansheartroy on Mar 14, 2010 5:17 PM PDT
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Since I decided to establish myself as the ambassador for china fans, I am going to keep the hard working as long as you guys enjoy it. (This one is quick because I need to reset the tone, my introducing post just seems too negative, not my style)
First, bear in mind, blazers is not popular in China, I would say, not popular at all in China. When you open up the website of official nba in mandarin, take a deep breath because 1/2 space is taken by rockets, l*kers and Lebron (ye, not Cav, Lebron). The other 1/2 is equally distributed to other teams. Those with big names like Chris Paul, Melo, D-Wade would benefit more. Another example: the number of kobe’s fans vs. the number of roy’s fans is like 60:1 ( reality hurts). In our defense, we don’t have a home team to root for. No emotion of pride or desire of glory for hometown get involved. The procedure for us is watching a game, falling in love with the flashy superstar, watching more games of him then deciding to root for his team or the opponents. In blazers’ case, few games be seen + not flashy play style of roy+ no big names in the young roaster+ less percentage chance of being champion=no fans in china. (Don’t feel pissed by assuming L*kers’ overwhelming control. Equally numbered rockets fans are pain in the ass for l*kers’ fans. Rockets is our home team for God’s sake. So feel cheer up a little bit?)
Then the topic: china fans’ reaction to those big events during this season (PS: I don’t represent all china fans. I would say the point of mainstream)
1 Signing Andre: wait and see. But in a mood more like waiting for the opportunity to shout “haha, I told you it wont work”. Our announcers just say that roy is a playmaker who initiates the team’s offence, like T-mac type of player. In those teams’ system, the spot of PG is a decoration, who plays the supplementary role to the initiator. Like roy plays offense then he plays defense, roy wants to dribble then he catches and shoots, roy looses the dribble then he picks the ball up before out bounds(I add this one just for fun). (and to be clear, our announcers did not judge the deal by far) Some fans are supporting miller. But you can see most of them are not Andre’s fans but Oden’s who believe that miller is more willing to pass the ball to Oden than anyone else on the roaster( especially roy, we had a big fight on this one)
2 Roy’s all star voting: we are so excited earlier this season. We thought roy would be voted in by rockets fans because his brilliant performance in that series.(believe me, rockets’ fans are powerful in china) However, the result is……ugh. We sneaked in rockets’ fan base and found out that rockets’ fans split into two groups considering roy. The first group is desperately calling for him to join in. They admire him, praise him and call for Mo Lei’s head because of his inability to draft roy in 2006. When Brandon signed that extension, they are done and not have passion left to vote for him. The second group hates his guts for disappointing Yao Ming. Yao’s shot with 1.9 seconds left is his once in a lifetime glory which was taken away by Brandon in the most ridiculous way. Rockets is their home team and Yao is their hero. So no deal…(for comforting you, when Brandon shot them out again on December 6th this season, they made a pool “ which is our most hated player, Deron or roy? Deron 85.9% Roy 14.1%)
3 The whole Greg naked thing: you will get “hey, see the positive side, Oden is much more popular now, where are those ‘fans’ before”, “ it is America for god’s sake” (no offense, just you know, aware of different culture. if it’s inappropriate, tell me, I will edit). “just a youthful mistake. Everybody makes when they are young, not this type of mistake for sure) In the end, fans are ashamed of talking about it and want to forget it as soon as possible. No harm done.
4 The trade : we are sad, I mean, deeply sad. No pointing fingers, few rational analysis. As I said, we root for the team based on our crush on individual player and compliment of team’s attitude. So its like sending away family member in exchange of what, cash, glory... One of us wrote a beautiful and heartwrecking poem on the trade and it made everyone cry. I cannot translate a poem accurately, one sentence is like this “ they (steve and travis) worked their ass off to accomplish the dream of playoff for beloved team and fans. Ironically, the trip to the dream land earned them a ticket out of beloved home”. And he is evil enough to attach a picture that roy, travis and steve huddled to celebrate the win over Grizzly thanks to travis’ last shot which initiated the 13 game winning streak. So you can imagine how broken our heart is. Besides sadness, we are pissed. In our way of thinking, roy as a leader should have a say in those issues. We are in shock and calling for KP’s head with regard to his ignorance of roy’s feeling.
5 The tragedy of injury : “god, please”, “are you kidding me”, “can I get hurt instead of them”. We are good fans, fans with heart. I would say we are great fans. Life would be much easier for us if we root for lakers(be proud of winning)or the rockets(having so many companion). When roy claimed that he possibly would end his season after that celtic game, our fan base was dead, deadly dead. We cannot find one to write the preview and recap as usual (I mentioned before. The sites are totally run by fans, no obligation involved.)
6 Playoff chance: we don’t care. We care about championship (I should say we refuse to lose. I don’t think china fans have the same definition or understanding like you regarding to championship)but we care about the players more. We want the players to stay healthy and have fun. Most of us do wish the team stays in the eight seed and gives headache to l*kers. But if you ask for faith in beating them, it is better I don’t tell you how much in us.
Ok, hope you like it. Have a nice day. Next chapter “ Nicknames of each blazers in china”. It would be fun, I promise.
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I still think this is very clever parody
but REC regardless.
"One of the bright spots of the young season has been rookie point guard Jonny Flynn, whose name sounds like he should be the lead character in a Broadway Musical. "What are you doing here, Jonny Flynn?" "Why I'm here to court trouble, and woo a girl, and build the most fantastical contraption the world has ever seen!" -- Dave, Game 7 Blazers versus Timberwolves preview
Or perhaps "for it" is more appropriate than "regardless"!
"One of the bright spots of the young season has been rookie point guard Jonny Flynn, whose name sounds like he should be the lead character in a Broadway Musical. "What are you doing here, Jonny Flynn?" "Why I'm here to court trouble, and woo a girl, and build the most fantastical contraption the world has ever seen!" -- Dave, Game 7 Blazers versus Timberwolves preview
by BlazersOrBust on Mar 14, 2010 6:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Christ Paul.
Either that was a typo or you reeeeally like CP3 :-P
"Ain't nothin' in this world for free."
I believe his name is Christopher Emmanuel Paul
So I think if it is cut from “t”
It would be more like an implication: god on the basketall court
by chinafansheartroy on Mar 14, 2010 7:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Liked the post
Getting to know others opinions from other places in great. Wish the Spanish fans would show up and be vocal more often.
Looks like you know how it is to be a Blazers fan. We take it seriously here, but the players’ are not as attached to certain teams or cities in the states nowadays(this is in most sports actually). In turn, we are not as attached to the players as we are the team. Of course, we have our favorites. We probably would not cry because of a trade. Most of us would reserve that for something more along the lines of winning a championship. I heard some here cried when the Blazers won the first pick in 2007.
The exposure to the teams is likewise, the difference being as locals, most of us get to watch any and all games on TV. Locally the exposure is there, but around the rest of the league, its pretty close to how you depict it, but take the heavy Yao exposure out and distribute amongs the other groups. The only way to combat that is to have some success/exposure by winning big in the regular season or make it far in the playoffs(both we are expecting as soon as next season).
With everything you just said, I don’t think Yao can ever get traded or released by the Rockets— an entire nation will have to contemplate changing teams?
Blazer Pride.
thank you
I did a little homework before i showed up. If I am going to do it in the name of my hometown guys, I cannot be the embarrassment.
by chinafansheartroy on Mar 14, 2010 8:29 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm glad you mention that you guys are fans based on your "crushes"
and not necessarily on rational analysis. I was beginning to worry that the announcers over there were taking news and misinterpreting it to you guys when you said they didn’t understand by Blake and Outlaw were traded. It was definitely a very rational move, but I can relate when you said you guys were sad that they had to be moved.
We aren’t too different here. I wasn’t a huge fan of Blake but I loved Outlaw. If you were in some of the threads when they were traded, a lot of the fans here were also sad. The difference would probably be that some of us have been fans for decades and understand that the NBA today is all about business, and not so much about friendships. So we wave Blake/Outlaw goodbye, thankful of their contributions, but at the same time keep in mind that there’s a chance they could be re-signed in the off season.
Also, about Miller's signing
We also had very similar reactions. Well, we were excited first and foremost, because we’d missed out on Turkoglu and Millsap and wanted to find a way to improve our team through the free agent market. We also needed an upgrade at the PG spot pretty badly, so we most were very happy about Miller’s signing.
Then we got a little suspicious about whether things would work out after we had to work through the kinks of integration and everything. You’re right about Miller not being the perfect, knight in shining armor PG for BRoy. Roy would probably benefit more from a Mo Williams-type guard. So we were also a little wary about how things would work out in that department.
However, the large majority of that are very content with Miller’s play now. As the season has progressed, Miller has integrated nicely into the team. Our offense flows infinitely better than when Blake was here, guys are benefiting from Dre’s court vision, and most importantly, Roy is playing just fine, if not very well, with Andre in the lineup. Not to mention Andre has kept this team afloat when we most desperately needed it. You will find a few Miller naysayers here and there, but so far, the only thing they argue that makes sense is Miller’s seemingly reserved character. Other than that, it’s hard to find people that still say Miller doesn’t fit with the team after what he’s done this season.
This is what i saw the problem between roy and miller
They are not geling. You can see from the fact that the team cannot close games as usual. Miller gives the offense flow regularly. So no problem. but in the forth quarter when the defense intensed or crisis moments, the problem becomes glaring. First, the ball cannot be in roy’s hands in time. maybe because out of respect, the ball is taking from backcourt to the front by miller (usually it’s roy’s job). Several seconds waste. Then, miller cannot spread the floor. That is your main scheme in those crisis. You dont change the strategy but expect it to work as perfect as usual when Miller cannot make the impact bayless or blake make in those moments. Remember what i mention about the the game against suns and nuggets. Your offense works beatifully when there exists a threat of corner three.
I give credit to Miller’s close game ability, but in a way of him being the offensive focus. when he has to do the supplementary job, he is not good at it.
For me, I will put the team on roy’s back in those situation in a heartbeat. So miller has to be out.
by chinafansheartroy on Mar 14, 2010 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions
tonight Brandon wasn't getting it done in the 4th quarter, for whatever reason
so Andre took the ball down low against Calderon and created a dunk for Camby
Early in the season there was friction, but now Roy and Miller are on the same page. The old paradigm (Brandon needs a Blake-like shooter playing PG) is being smashed, and new “possibilities” are opening up for Batum and the rest of the team
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
the Toronto game was awesome from a team gelling standpoint
The only guy Toronto tried to guard was Roy, Miller made them pay in the 3rd for that…
These guys are finally doing two things that have been absent so far this season:
1. establishing an offensive rhythm, actually running plays…
2. They are having fun
I am with Chinafan…I knowtrades are part of the game, but there should be good reason to trade away plaers. The Blake Outlaw trade fits that description nicely. Trading LaMarcus (a topic that pops up more frequently than I am comfortable with).
I like this team in large part because I like these guys, I moved here to Portland at the height of the Jailblazer days so I was not pulled into fandom until this group of guys came in.
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
i love the toronto game.
I heard about the Jailblazer a lot, but did not know what it felt like to be a fan at that time.
Hope players and fans keep valuing the team culture.
by chinafansheartroy on Mar 16, 2010 5:30 AM PDT up reply actions
Trading LaMarcus (a topic that pops up more frequently than I am comfortable with).
Ditto, I take umbrage at the “JPEC” comments
My take has been “you can’t get married to all the players” Changes to the roster are inevitable. We can all speculate about who the “keepers” are but there will always be “core” players and guys on the bubble.( I always remember the year after the championship when Herm Gilliam was replaced on the roster by TR Dunn. Blazers fans were aghast. You can’t get rid of squirmin’ Herman!) But life goes on, and the front office and coaching staff will continually reshuffle the deck
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
roy did not take over for sure
you saw that dunk, i saw roy getting six consecutive points before that dunk. call it even?
brandon needs an andre-like playing PG with tremendously upgraded j and better attitude. can we get billups, i began to love him one month ago when he shot lakers out in staples center.
by chinafansheartroy on Mar 16, 2010 6:55 AM PDT up reply actions
Denver likes Chauncey
and Chauncey likes Denver
If KP wanted to get Billups, it would’ve had to have been done before the Iverson deal
Hopefully, Jerryd Bayless will “morph into” CB…but not soon enough to satisfy ULC!
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Hmm not sure about that
When teams close games, they never rely on just one player. Not even Kobe or LeBron are capable of closing games alone, let alone Roy. Closing a game requires a team effort, tightening things up on the defensive end, and then looking for open shots or being aggressive and going to the rim or some other offensive scheme on the other end of the floor. So I’m not sure I understand what you mean by Miller making it hard to close games.
The PG does not have to be the corner three threat. We have lots of corner three threat options on this team: Rudy, Martell, and even Batum now, to name a few. We don’t absolutely need Blake to be there to make the three.
In terms of crunch time, Roy has had the ball 99% of the time, and most likely always will. There are times when they might set up a play for Rudy on a 3 or something, but Roy has always been the number one option, and never Miller. Honestly, Miller taking the ball down the court and then simply handing it over to Roy doesn’t make much of a difference in terms of time or anything. Miller understands that Roy is the number 1 crunch time option on this team, and usually gives it to Roy ASAP.
As two4larue pointed out, they are geling at this point in the season.
Tsaiguy,
I’ve been fascinated by your counter-debate (especially in the last thread), and I’ve got to say I’m on your side of the argument. I don’t think you’re ever going to change his mind, however. I’m not Miller’s greatest fan, but I think it’s a gross oversight to not see what an improvement he’s had on our offense this season. I’ve even noticed his lobs have rubbed off onto Blake’s game (when he was here) and Bayless as well. I’ve never seen those guys try that last year. In fact, the only one that really did that was Sergio.
And, losing players we love is tough, but in a lot of cases, it has to be done. For starters, as Dave always writes, these guys need playing time to show what they’re made of. There is a SF jam here that would crowd Outlaw’ as well as Batum. I think we’re seeing the fruits of having a trimmed roster as Nic really shined in the Toronto game.
Yeah
Thanks for your support. From what he wrote, I thought the fans in China might’ve been misinterpreting Andre’s contributions, so I wanted to make sure Andre got the due respect for all he’s done this season. He might still be converted yet!
what i mean is Miller did not fit the gameplan in crunch time, you need a new one if you want miller on the floor.
In full 24 seconds, you could execute two gameplans. The first fail then use the back-up plan . In worst case, give roy ball then get out of his way. I saw too many times roy still threw the ball to the corner for three where miller was standing. What did miller do. Most of time , he walked the ball up the middle cout and reseted the offense. Three results: nearly clock violation shot, useless roy’s offensive set, wasting one of roy’s potential assist. I just hate the gameplan( I scream to my TV everytime i saw miller standing in that corner. why he standed there instead of three point shooter.)
“Roy has the ball 99% of the time in crunch time” that’s last season’s reality. you say that because that is the gameplan in coach’s mouth and what you saw last year. This year, not like that. (believe me, from what i focused to see in each game, no way you will have this comment). I just cant tell the reason for sure. form what i observed, miller wanted to be a hero.( at least three times. dave used :" he seems trying to do too much " to describ miller in his individual observation)
by chinafansheartroy on Mar 15, 2010 7:07 PM PDT up reply actions
I just want to clear something up first: Miller is one of the most selfless players in the league, ever. He’s a pass first, win-oriented point guard. He didn’t even care when he notched 52 against Dallas – he’s that selfless. He hardly even likes talking to the media. So to suggest that Miller wants to be the hero at any time on the court is like suggesting ice cream is as hot as lava. Yes, he wants to win, but to be in the spotlight, getting all the glory? Never dream of it.
What you are describing sounds like how things were in the madness of a time earlier in the season, when everyone was still trying to integrate. However, it’s evident the offensive plan in crunch time is always Roy first. Heck, he had the ball in the home game where Utah came back from down 25 when he was coming back from an injury. His shot was off then, though, and he pretty much lost us the game. But even then, the ball was in his hands. He might not have had the ball 99% of the time earlier in the season because of integration problems, but I can say with confidence that he does and will now.
I would also credit Miller standing in the corner waiting for a 3 to be a kink in the plan that is being worked out/has been worked out. I agree that it seems like bad offensive planning. However, this seems more like a problem the coach has to deal with, as Miller is well aware that his strengths do not include the jump shot, let alone the 3 point shot. I have not seen the play you described happen in recent games however. If it did, I probably didn’t notice it because it seemed rational with the amount of time left. If Roy can’t go all the way to the rim, he can pass it out to Miller, who is also an exceptional penetrator.
Bottom line: focus on the future and you’ll be a lot happier about Miller. You can look to the past and point out all the wrong things that have happened, but the reality is that the group is playing very well together right now and things are really starting to come together. And I have a good deal of confidence that the GM and the coaches, all basketball experts for far longer than any of us have been, know very well what they’re doing and are liking the results. Otherwise, Miller would’ve been shipped at the deadline.
There is no way to prove your first paragraph
Andre Miller is very very selfish. He sabotaged the start of the season because he wasn’t starting, he didn’t want to share the ball with Roy, and his reluctance to try to work within the offense. He thought he knew better than the coach and all the players.
He notched 52 points because he’s selfish and was hogging the ball. He likes to pad his stats and he knows point guards get paid because of assists. If he had he way, he’d never ever pass to his teammates and instead jack up ill advised 3 pointers so he can avoid contact.
I can’t really dispute that he is a win-oriented point guard but I will. He’s in his 13th year in the playoffs and counting this year, it will be the 6th time he got bounced out of the first round. He refused to come in early and work with the other players to gel sooner, failed the conditioning test, and made the team adjust to him instead of adjusting to the team. If he was win-oriented, he would have tried harder.
Andre Miller loves talking to the media when he has an opportunity to throw his coach or teammates under the bus. And when he doesn’t want to talk to the media, it is probably because he is hiding something sinister. I don’t want to speculate but I did get 15,400 hits for for ‘andre miller serial killer’.
Andre Miller is an Anachronism
Calm down, Tom
man, you really hate miller.
I am totally on board with this one “he thought he knew better than the coach and all the players”. but relax, he is not and never will. Nate knows it ( put him in the second unit ) and GM knows it (pay him less money) and fans and other coaches know it (all-star voting). More importantly ,you and me know it…
dude, stay open to all the mindsets considering miller. Time will tell.
by chinafansheartroy on Mar 16, 2010 4:36 AM PDT up reply actions
Actually, the coach was at fault in that situation.
A few things:
- Nate’s vision for Miller to lead the second unit was inaccurate. This is revealed by the team’s record with Miller in the first unit and Miller in the second unit. The team was winning drastically more with Miller in the first unit. Once McMillan finally got past his stubbornness and moved Miller to the first unit, the team got a lot better.
Andre was coming in as an experienced veteran who had started on every team he had been in all his life. For Nate to bench him was just downright disrespect, and thank God he complained. If he hadn’t, and just sat there wasting away on the bench, we probably wouldn’t have the record we have today. He did what was best for the team.
- KP realized it
In fact, if I remember correctly, KP was the one who talked to Nate about Andre starting. At the trade deadline, he traded away Blake and not Andre, proving that he had full confidence in Andre as the team’s premier PG. I think you and the GM are on different pages here.
- The fans realized it
Most of us on BEdge wanted Nate to start Andre for a long time, because it was the logical thing to do and would definitely benefit the team. It didn’t make sense to leave a crafty vet on the bench when he could be used to really crank up the offense and experience.
As far as All-Star voting goes, Miller has never and probably will never be an All-Star because of the type of player he is (pass-first). If he had been voted in as an All-Star, then we’d have star issues because that’d mean he was really taking shots away from BRoy. Thankfully, he hasn’t.
This is false
At the trade deadline, he traded away Blake and not Andre, proving that he had full confidence in Andre as the team’s premier PG
Miller is not a premier point guard and we don’t know that KP wouldn’t have including Miller in the deal for Camby had the Clippers wanted him. The trade was for a big man, not an endorsement for any of the point guards who stayed.
Andre Miller is an Anachronism
If KP included Miller in the deal, it would leave us with Bayless as our starting PG, and probably Patty Mills as our backup PG. I don’t think KP would do that.
By trading Blake, KP essentially gave Miller the PG keys. If he didn’t trust Miller, he probably wouldn’t have traded Blake.
Well it would have been either Blake or Miller in the trade not both
A similar but different conversation was in a Bayless thread saying Blake being traded was an endorsement of Bayless.
Plain and simple, Blake was traded because he had an expiring contract. Blake leaving may be an “added bonus” to Miller and Bayless playing time.
Andre Miller is an Anachronism
by tominhawaii on Mar 16, 2010 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions
At that point in the season
it wouldn’t have made sense to trade Miller, plain and simple. After Miller’s 52 point performance, and almost single handedly keeping the team afloat, it wouldn’t have made sense. Also, there were rumors several weeks before the trade deadline that the Blazers were not shopping Miller, long before the Camby trade formed.
Remember this article?
http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/01/blazers_insider_miller_no_long.html
KP: “We have no interest in trading Andre Miller. Zero. None. Write it.”
Miller had one good game all year
It would be easy to pin every loss on him, but I refrain and only pin 20 on him.
If KP could have got a big for Miller, Miller would have been traded. The Clippers wanted money and expiring contracts, it is as simple as that.
Andre Miller is an Anachronism
After spending so much time integrating Miller in the season? The team was starting to get good around the trade deadline.
Saying KP would’ve pulled the trigger if he could get a big for Miller involves a lot of speculation about what KP was really thinking, but never said. I don’t have any issues with believing what KP actually said ("We have no interest in trading Andre Miller. Zero. None. Write it.") as the more likely scenario. After all, he said it. ESPN said it too when they reported the the Blazers were no longer shopping Miller a few weeks before the deadline.
Sure, KP would have traded Miller if we could get LBJ or Kobe in return, but then again, who wouldn’t? Otherwise, all the sources indicate Miller was not being actively shopped at the time.
Hmm
I know Miller has been mediocre for 10 years, I don’t know why I gave him credit for 12. I should have said he’s in his 11th year of mediocrity. Sorry about that.
Andre Miller is an Anachronism
I'm almost always sarcastic except with Miller
He annoys the heck out of me.
Andre Miller is an Anachronism
by tominhawaii on Mar 16, 2010 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions
First, i like you. I have a lot fun debating with you and I actualy have learned a lot
you cant use the “nitpicky” examples as well. remember, you baned me from it.
I dont deny that miller is a win-oriented point guard. but earlier his mindset was on winning “in his own way”. and his way contracted with the team’s usual way. That is why dave kept saying “he is trying to do too much”. Now, it is getting better and better. if you believe he has the “refused to lose” personality, you cannot say he is too selfless to care the personal award. They cannot coexist. Miller do care. remember he said " if the coach is fair enough, he should be voted in earlier in his career." (PS: there must be something bad in his play style or attitude which got him kicked out again and again. we believe in coaches’ visions, that is why we value roy’s all-star appearance so much). I have a chat with a fan this afternoon, we hope that miller is like Billups who has already got all the important personal awards. Those things help a player get respect and confidence from teamates and fans (those are more convincing proof)
I love love your bottom line. I kept telling myself “Time will tell”. if he could help, the team will be better. if he couldnt, he will be gone soon. Worst case, he ruined roy’s championship dream by disturbing roy’s performance during roy’s peak period, I become a miller-basher, keeping hunted him down my whole life. (just kidding)
by chinafansheartroy on Mar 16, 2010 5:13 AM PDT up reply actions
I like you too!
I never formally did this, so: Welcome to Blazersedge!
I think you’re reading too much into Dave’s comments. The comments you quoted clearly reflect the turbulence of the integration period, when everyone was struggling to play together. That was to be expected of any team getting a new player added into their major rotation. That’s an era passed now.
I’m not sure why the refuse to lose personality and selflessness can’t coexist. Miller is fulfilling both right now. He’s helping the team win (his desire first and foremost), while maintaining his status as a pass-first PG. Bam, coexistence. I don’t believe awards should determine respect. Awards are given out once a year to one player, and the league has much more than just one respectable player.
I know you guys get less Blazers coverage than we do over there, but let’s not drop as low as speculation. Players are traded in this league because of business. I know you guys view teams and players based on their attitude and heroism over there, and we do too here. But it’s important to remember that the NBA is a business first league. Players get traded all the time for reasons completely unrelated to attitude. Otherwise, Marcus Camby was a stinker of a person since he’s been traded from Denver to LA to here, not to mention the teams he was on before. Shaq must’ve been something awful that he got moved from Orlando to LA to Miami to Phoenix to Cleveland. Juwan Howard must’ve been the worst person in the league having been traded from Washington to Dallas to Denver to Orlando to Houston to Charlotte, and now to Portland. And we know that’s not the case because KP signs players based on culture first.
That’s another thing: KP’s focus on culture. He only signs players he thinks fit the atmosphere in Portland, which has thus far been: hardworking, humble team-players who want to win. If there was truly something bad about Miller’s attitude that his previous teams hated, there would’ve been no chance whatsoever Portland sought him out. We don’t sign players like Reggie Evans or Bonzi Wells anymore. Yet, Andre is still here. So it’s really nothing about his attitude at all.
If you can, dig around oregonlive.com/blazers for Brian’s column at The Columbian for some Andre Miller articles. I don’t think you’d make the comments you do if you read up on him and got familiar with his true personality.
I agree, “time will tell.” However, I also think that time is telling. It’s an absolute campaign to deny that Miller is working well with Roy right now. Roy’s performance isn’t being slowed down – in fact, it’s just revving up again. Also, Roy hasn’t peaked yet, but part of peaking is learning how to work with new players that may not seem to “fit your style” at first. Once you learn how to play with other players in the league, you’re a true star.
Adding on about attitude
I just found an article I also posted above that I think would be a good read if you haven’t read it yet:
http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/01/blazers_insider_miller_no_long.html
Miller’s “attitude” didn’t need changing until he came under Coach McMillan. Then it needed some adjustments, but ultimately he was willing to make them. That’s a huge testament to his attitude and character as a whole. Unlike locker room cancers, he was willing to change. Bonus points for culture, no?
Plus, this article is from back in January. Now it’s mid-March. He’s obviously adapted to the team.
Miller single handedly almost destroyed this team
Once he got his mind right, things went OK. There is a reason he goes from team to team. He’s a jerk, and no one likes him, including me.
Andre Miller is an Anachronism
Tom, I admire you
For comforting reason, we have a guy who hates miller’s guts like you and he is very popular in our web page. we once had a thread " why dont like miller" and he used " that particular bad word" ( i assume the rules would ban that word here, you know what i am talking about, right?) a lot to state his reasons. keep the hard-working, tom, you have got company…
I suggest you focusing on the future instead of the past like thetsaiguy said. I have more fun less distraction doing it.
by chinafansheartroy on Mar 16, 2010 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks
I don’t want to focus on Miller getting the Blazers knocked out of the first round. I’ll try to stick with the present though.
Andre Miller is an Anachronism
in his own way
What I do not get is why the Blazers keep wanting to do what was proven to be quite stoppable in the playoffs last year. I mean really, Houston exposed our offensive system from 2009. Just doing that again will not help us advance in the playoffs.
I get tht the coach sets the gameplan, the coach sets expectations, the coach defines roles (McMillan did a really terrible job of this at the beginning of the year. 7 different players expressed confusion about their role including Roy, Aldridge, Miller, Blake, Outlaw, Fernandez and Webster. we are not talking about little parts here), the coach essentially sets the tone. If Roy was confused, what do you think that meant to someone coming in from the outside?
This si m beef with McMillan, he wants players to run his system, his system does not seem to adjust to the talent he has. There needs to be some give and take here, there appears to little give from the coaching side is all. Turning Miller into a spot up 3 point shooter just is a waste.
1. He is not a good 3 point shooter
2. it takes away what he is good at.
McMillan failed to come into the season with a system that worked for the talent he had. McMillan said the best performers would be in the starting role, Miller performed consistently better than Blake the entire season 9even in the awkward early stages he was performing better) and yet he was on the bench. A 10 year starter in the league. it would tick me off a little too…
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
by PDXBuckeye on Mar 16, 2010 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
Exactly.
The problems people keep pinning on Miller would make more sense pinning to McMillan, for the reasons PDXBuckeye just mentioned. But at least McMillan seems to be redeeming himself in this stretch run.
Had to chime in here...
didn’t want Tsaiguy to think he was alone, and then the Buckeye (got ‘em to win the bracket?) did a great job of summarizing why I, and others, feel this team needs Dre, and not Nate, to change our style to suit our player’s skills, instead of the other way around…
Defense, rebounding, fast break attack. Of these three things that often make a champion, we’re not doing any of them at a championship level. I put that on Nate.
Lead us to the promised land, Dre!
by Visionary2 on Mar 16, 2010 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I am contemplating my bracket champ
The Buckeyes are a strong contender, but if someone runs a good trap it could spell doom for them…
I am glad I am not the only one on bedge who feels this way…
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
I agree
Honestly, Miller taking the ball down the court and then simply handing it over to Roy doesn’t make much of a difference in terms of time or anything. Miller understands that Roy is the number 1 crunch time option on this team, and usually gives it to Roy ASAP.
The advantage Miller brings is his game allows him to hand the ball off to Roy, as he should a vast majority of the time in crunch time, or exploit a weakness presented by the opposition defense. I like that option better than hand the ball off and spot up. hand the ball off and spot up is way to predictable and relatively easy to stop as proven repeatedly by Houston during that series last year.
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
in crunch time, roy is the offensive initiator.
I disagree with fans’ conclusion that roy having the ball in his hands equals roy being the whole offense. He is not, he just sets offense instead miller. And that should be better. Roy can draw so much defensive attention which miller cant. As long as roy makes the right decision instead of trying to do all by himself, this strategy is great. Every great team uses this stratey exclusively in crunch time. That is why kobe, lebron, melo, deron and so many other team leaders have had most points in the forth quarter.
roy should be entitled with this right.
by chinafansheartroy on Mar 16, 2010 5:24 AM PDT up reply actions
right
Roy is the initiator, but houston did not have to play Blake honest in that series last year. They knew the only thing Blake was going to do wwas get the ball to Roy ASAP and run to his spot, as did fernandez too by the way,
they did not have to worry about blake penetrating at all at the late stage sof the game, made our offense both predictable and stagnant at crunch time. Houston started doubling Roy before he even got the ball as a result. That made it tough for Roy to make the best decision on every play because he could not see the whole floor even before he got the ball. Houston then would triple him if he tried to go in by himself, shutting off his passing lanes and denying him access to the rim. that was a large part of the difference in those close games in Houston.
Miller should absolutely get the ball to Roy a vast majority of the time in crunch time, what Miller does is present the threat to penetrate for a score forcing a defense not play too soft on him thus giving Brandon more room to work is all i am saying…
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
The last paragraph is all I am trying to say
I hate miller when he was mentally and physically struggling to do the job of supporting roy.He was trying too hard to establish himself as the veteran leader. Once he recognized that this is not his team, he is doing so much better.
Fast breaks, another threat of penetration, taking the ball out of roy’s hands at the right time are supplementary works to make the team of last year better. Those things should not destroy what the team had last year and try to be the replacement.
by chinafansheartroy on Mar 16, 2010 6:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Miller never tried to establish himself has the leader of the team
Unless you have evidence. Having followed the team very closely this season, I have never seen evidence Miller is trying to steal the team from BRoy. He mentally and physically struggled to find his place in the team and rotations, but I don’t recall him trying to completely take over as team leader at all.
And by "never tried to establish himself as the leader"
I mean, never tried to dominate the leadership role. Obviously, as an experienced veteran, he has to share some of the leadership role. But he has never tried to be the king of the team.
Roy can draw so much defensive attention which miller cant
Against Toronto, Andre posted up Calderon and drew three (3) Raptor defenders down in the post when he pump-faked before he dished the ball off to Camby for a dunk
Roy is very good, but there’s no harm in having another scoring threat on the floor at the end of games who can also pass out of triple teams and/or draw fouls
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Roy was dead tired after the Rocket's series last April
yet another reason not to “ride” Brandon for all of the key 4th quarter possessions
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Yeah
And while we do have plenty of other scoring options, none of them can penetrate the key or draw opponent defense quite like Miller. Miller’s almost as good, if not as good as Roy when playing in the key, so all we’ve done is picked up another rim-attacker, which helps us A LOT.
posting up small PGs
with both Roy and Miller in the game, one of them will have to be guarded by Brooks (etc) and both of them can back the waterbug down and make the defense send help, then pass the ball out of the post
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
no harm in having "another" one, harm in having a "replaced" one..
by chinafansheartroy on Mar 16, 2010 6:47 PM PDT up reply actions
The goal isn't to replace anyone
The goal is to add another option. No one, especially not team superstar BRoy, is being replaced.
the games (at least the games earlier) seem like
by chinafansheartroy on Mar 16, 2010 6:52 PM PDT up reply actions
the only time Miller "replaced" Roy
was when Brandon went down with the injury. This season would be toast if not for Andre
Now if you say that Dre wanted to replace Blake in the starting lineup from the time that training camp began? There’s no debate about that
Miller and Roy can take turns handling the ball, depending on mismatches and who’s tired, etc. It’s working to the tune of 100ppg. You’re not going to find too many better-balanced backcourts currently in the NBA
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Mar 16, 2010 8:24 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
My most favorite player is roy, obviously...
Our announcers are very professional and rational. but compared to yours, they say more good things, less bad things considering a player and less scheme judgement regarding to the game.There is a little misunderstanding. The “we” in that post I refer to the fans. we all think that is a rational move to get centers. we just failed accepting sending away Blakey and Outlaw, not miller straight up.
by chinafansheartroy on Mar 14, 2010 8:35 PM PDT up reply actions
I see
For us, it made to sense to trade Blake and Outlaw and not Miller, seeing that Miller was definitely benefiting the team and making us much better, whereas Blake hadn’t been playing well all season and just couldn’t boost the offense like Miller can, and Outlaw’s skills could be duplicated by Cunningham. We definitely wouldn’t have liked Miller for Camby, as that wouldn’t have made sense.
But yeah that’s the rational side of things. I was probably the saddest person ever when I learned Outlaw had been traded, since he was one of the most likable players on the team.
And sorry about the mixup with the announcers. I’ll make sure to not make that mistake again.
expiring contracts as well
last chance to get something out of them before we likely did not resign them this summer. And if we wnat outlaw back, we can always go get him…
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
got to ask ... where are you in china?
I’m in Hong Kong and see mostly L*kers jerseys, although there are plenty of Rockets and even some Mavs jerseys. I think I’m the only one with Blazers gear.
also, I’ll be in Shanghai in late April. Know where I can watch the Blazers win a playoff game?
Seeking whimsy
Beijing, right now
About jerseys, no way you could get a jersey of roy in any sport store, even in the NBA special.
welcome to China, by the way.
always online. but all the playoff games will be broadcasting in china, but I guess you would have a hard time dealing with the language.
by chinafansheartroy on Mar 14, 2010 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions
we must get you a jersey
someone here must work for an airline. make it happen
"its tough to play with one eye, unless you're a pirate." Delonte West
"una canasta a Pau en la cara" Rudy
by Honka Playboy on Mar 14, 2010 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks for concern
I asked a friend of mine who is now studying in America to get me one. But when i know I had a chance to come over here this year I called it off. I want to pick the jersey of roy by myself. If there is some unexpected things to delay my trip, My friend is still my plan B.
by chinafansheartroy on Mar 14, 2010 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks.
I’ve gotten used to listening in Cantonese … and I’m learning Mandarin, so it might be fun to listen. Although, I’m really very bad at it so far.
Seeking whimsy
Ni Hao
I shouldn't complain but sometimes I still do.
by Sexual Tyrannosaurus on Mar 14, 2010 11:54 PM PDT up reply actions
gesundheit
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Fei chang gan xi
"The match in Los Angeles is a good opportunity to begin to demonstrate that we want to make war." Rudy Fernández (translated)
Cantonese is to German
and Manddarin is more like French
"The match in Los Angeles is a good opportunity to begin to demonstrate that we want to make war." Rudy Fernández (translated)
Wa hen hau
na ni?
( or is it, “ni na?” … I can never remember. Our first Mandarin teacher SUCKED and we have recently switched to someone who is very good.)
Seeking whimsy
Ni hao Gubo! Ni hao Palanka!
Memories of my Mandarin class lol
I remember spelling it “Wo hen hao, ni ne?”
I shouldn't complain but sometimes I still do.
by Sexual Tyrannosaurus on Mar 15, 2010 8:05 PM PDT up reply actions
you guys have mandarin class? the teacher is chinese?
by chinafansheartroy on Mar 16, 2010 5:36 AM PDT up reply actions
wo shuo putonghua yi dian dian
wo de x-airen zhongguo nvren. … zhongguo nvren are friggin hot and wo ai them :-D
"The match in Los Angeles is a good opportunity to begin to demonstrate that we want to make war." Rudy Fernández (translated)
The right sentence is wo shuo yi dian dian putonghua
french is nowhere near chinese. I quit studing immediately when my french class was over.
by chinafansheartroy on Mar 16, 2010 9:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Thank you for the correction :-). yeah my grammar is to be desired.
I didn’t mean literally like french…to me it just sounds more smooth than cantonese…like french sounds more smooth relative to german…
"The match in Los Angeles is a good opportunity to begin to demonstrate that we want to make war." Rudy Fernández (translated)
awwwwww :-)
"The match in Los Angeles is a good opportunity to begin to demonstrate that we want to make war." Rudy Fernández (translated)
Hey dude!
I’m moving to Hangzhou early this April!
1 more Blazer fan in China!
In Bayless I trust.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
moving...hope you could be comfortable with the heat.
Living in Hangzhou in summer, not a good idea…
Welcome…
by chinafansheartroy on Mar 14, 2010 10:07 PM PDT up reply actions
I lived in Cambodia, (PP) for a year.
And I’ve never felt anything hotter than that.
I know Hangzhou is humid, but I can’t imagine it would be worse than what I’ve done, and for heat, I’ve been in the Inland Empire cooker of South California (Lakers-land) for the last three years.
I’ll probably be there for a few years at least, so I’ll get more than just the sultry summers.
Thanks for the welcome!
In Bayless I trust.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Grant Chow is welcoming u
Hey dude, i’m living in Shanghai. U can see Shanghai & Hangzhou is quite near. Contact me with GrantChow1219@gmail.com if u need any help :p
Go Blazers!
Quality is better than quantity.
the chinese nba.com site is AWFUL
terrible.
And it auto-kicks to there even if i go to nba.com. I get nba.hk or some nonsense. grrrr….
Seeking whimsy
not that bad...
this is where the nba starts in china…
by chinafansheartroy on Mar 14, 2010 10:09 PM PDT reply actions
Great post
It’s awesome to see pure fans who enjoy the game and root for the team. Keep posting CFHR.
" It was as if the Suns hatched a fiendish plot to ruin John Wayne's movie career by casting him as a cowboy." - Dave 2/10/2010
Interesting perspective.
I think the main difference is that most fans over here are much more attached to the Blazers as a team rather than the individual plays. Like for me, I like and appreciate Outlaw and Blake and I hope I’m fairly evenhanded about their value, and I like them both as people. However, the trade for Camby was great in my opinion because it made the team as a whole better.
I think this is the result of most fans here living nearby at one time or another and becoming attached to the team that way, rather than starting with an individual player.
Incidentally I do think it is worth noting that the team has been playing much better together lately, and I think this shows that if the injuries hadn’t been so harsh, Miller might have been fully integrated into the team by maybe December.
You can measure skill and talent with your eyes, but productivity is shown through statistics.
This was fun.
I used to go to china a lot and watch NBA with my ex-in-laws. Chinese NBA fans are great :-).
"The match in Los Angeles is a good opportunity to begin to demonstrate that we want to make war." Rudy Fernández (translated)
not too biased
if you watched the blazer-rockets series on CCTV5, you would want to kill yourself as a blazer fan. Every sentence of the announcers have one common word " rockets", every sentence for crying out loud…
by chinafansheartroy on Mar 16, 2010 5:42 AM PDT up reply actions
I think so
Hey ,xiongdi! U know that CCTV5 will no longer broadcasting any Blazers match? Haha!Just visit bbs.hoopchina.com/blazers. My ID is B_Grant. 欢迎来玩！
Quality is better than quantity.
Your English is than mine but I don't agree with u in many views.
Shall we speak Chinese instead? XD
Quality is better than quantity.
love it.
really like the different perspective and it was fun to read
by GreatOden'sRaven on Mar 16, 2010 1:50 PM PDT reply actions
Chinafansheartroy
I just saw this: http://blogs.wweek.com/news/2010/03/12/big-trouble-in-china-tibet-day-to-threaten-trail-blazer-broadcasts/
I’m sorry if things do end up happening and the Blazers are cut off from broadcast. Do you think you’ll still be able to stream games online?
Yes we can！
just China central television-5 will not broadcasting. Other TV station will still broadcasting, and so newspapers, magazines etc. BTW, please stop Sam Adams.
Quality is better than quantity.
not like that...all the channels are done. Things are too complicated to tell and judge.
by chinafansheartroy on Mar 16, 2010 6:32 PM PDT up reply actions
As far as I konw
G sports (sport channel of Shanghai Media Group) will broadcasting. heard from my friend working for SMG
Quality is better than quantity.
You have probably noticed thal not all media stereotypes of Chinese are accurate...
similarly, the idea that all Americans can’t keep their pants on, is not accurate also, in case that was not clear (claims to the contrary typically being self justifying rationalizations). I expect you have all types of personal values in China, just like USA. Treating whole group as an individual is not right either way.
Of course I understand that you are very interested in Yao’s team, he was a great player, and seems a fine person as well. Of course you are proud of him. You can also understand the frustration when such a giant of a man is hobbled by an injury, as we are with Oden.
"You be realistic," Oden said. "I’m going to stay happy. All right?"
Your statement is insightful. and we do have all types of personal values here...
I dont know where you get the idea I am interested in Yao’s team. Personally, i hate rockets (but proud of Yao Ming of course). I feel for Greg, I like him a lot.
by chinafansheartroy on Mar 16, 2010 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions
thanks. that is one of my favorite compliment which I can barely hear.
why: In china, you dont get a choice to not study english in the first place. and I am always a A-straight student. So…but then I find out english makes me happy. I can see the world as it is and make my own judgement. like I love Jane Austin, I could read the original version of pride and prejudice, not some crappy translation with lame comments. I want to know how is your guys life, I talk to you, not waiting for some official statement. When i am traveling around, I could tell what i think and feel to other people. That is awesome.( I tried to study french too, but failed. I guess it takes talent) and now, as bonus. I could enjoy mike and mike…
how: you like it, it becomes a part of your life.
by chinafansheartroy on Mar 18, 2010 7:07 AM PDT up reply actions
from Jane Austin to Mike and Mike
Searching for the right analogy…how about, Confucious to a fortune cookie?
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
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