I'm actually concerned that the Rockets might go for Darius Miles, given that his body type, athleticism, potential and current market value (low) put him right in our wheelhouse ... I have to admit that his defensive potential on a JVG-coached team really is attractive. But please, avoid this guy like the plague. I firmly believe this is one player who has zero passion for the game and is in it for the paycheck only. From what I've read about his dealings with Mo Cheeks last year, and stuff I've heard about him when he was with the Cavs ... I just don't want to have to deal with stuff from this guy. I was reading this Oregonian article below, which says there are rumors now of him reeking of alcohol at practices -- Miles is saying it's just coming out of his pores via sweat from having had drinks day(s) before. It reminded me of a person (who I will just say would know) who told me last year that he saw Miles knocking down tons of these very large alcoholic drinks at the Toyota Center on a game day. There were a lot of people who saw that who were surprised by it -- I can't recall which season he said it was, but I'm guessing last season. I'm not saying it's impossible for him to "get it", but I'd say he is extremely high risk. Miles: Says he was a 'fallback guy' last season, too Darius Miles - Fallen star says he told coach before the season he wanted a trade http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/1145597167213680.xml&coll=7
Just 2 minutes ago I posted on the Rockets forum how we should not pursue this guy before I saw this thread. I agree Clutch. Miles has crash and burn written all over him.
Thanks Clutch. I was hesistant about trading for Miles but after reading this report I don't want him on the Rockets at all. Do you feel that there are other players that should be on the avoidant list who are talented and obtainable?
A lot of guys on this board like Miles because he has got size and is a great athlete but what has he really done, he can't shoot the three, is a horrible FT shooter and still has enormous character questions after being in the league for 8 years. Along with his drinking problem, he was suspended at a Clippers game this year for changing into his street clothes at half time and sitting on the bench the remainder of the game. Miles sounds like another Eddie Griffin only worse.
i remember there was like a period on the bbs where there were a few people who'd go 'i'd rather have darius miles' when discussing players to trade. i'd rather have matt 'red rocket' bonner.
Yes, he is high risk. But if we could move Juwan for him, the risk decreases significantly. Juwan is on the books until 2009 at around $20.5 million. Miles is on the books until 2010, one extra year, at around $33.5 million. That's one extra and $13 million of salary. Juwan isn't going to get better, only worse. And he's a net negative on us now. Yes, Miles is high risk, but he is also high potential. Yeah, he could turn out to be the next Kemp and drink himself into oblivion. But as far as on court production, that would not be worse than us carrying Juwan until 2009. Great character, great work ethic, and poor performances guaranteed with Juwan. Bad character (just like Spree), questionable work ethic (just like Spree), and glimpses of high performance (just like Spree prior to leaving Carlissimo incident behind.) Spree never turned into a high character guy, never a leader. But Van Gundy put the work ethic issue to rest and got high performance out of Spree. I think the possibility is there to do the same thing with Miles. You are never going to take the street/ghetto image away from Miles granted. And that is one aspect of him along with Spree and many other NBA players like Rasheed that I can't stand. But a good coach and a consistently good front office can take players like that and put them in a winning environment and magically, they turn into world beaters. I remember when Rasheed was on the market up there. You never heard so much negativity about him. Most of it was probably true. But I was hoping we would make a trade for him and team him up with our big 2. I felt that he would fit in in a new environment where he wasn't the go to guy but was expected to be the guy that helped put his team over the top. Everybody knew his attitude was bad and he was chomping at the bit to get out of Portland. He goes to Detroit, wins at least 1 championship and is an All-Star. Yeah, he's still racking up some technical fouls. That is why he is Rasheed and not Duncan. Miles is who he is, a young player who grew up in the ghetto of East St. Louis and came to the NBA out of high school very immature. He's been traded around, his personal issues have never been dealt with and he has never grown up. And he will probably always have a bad attitude. So what. This is a guy that put up 47 points in a game, and has the athleticism and length to be a defensive juggernaut and who would create mismatches all over the floor if he was paired in the lineup with McGrady and Yao. What team in the NBA has TWO wing players that are 6'8" or taller, than can run and have the quickness, size, and defensive prowess to compete against McGrady and Miles when Miles wants to play? With all due respect, I disagree with you Clutch. If we could get this guy for some combination of Juwan and whatever, I think we should bite the bullet and take the risk.
Players like Darius Miles really sadden me. How many basketball players, or people for that matter, would kill to be in his position? How many would bust their asses day in and day out and give everything they have, heart and soul, just to suit up and sit on the end of an NBA bench? This guy has so much talent, talent he's choosing to piss away. Tim Thomas Derrick Coleman Roy Tarpley Eddie Griffin Darius Miles Those are all guys who come to mind as players with all the talent in the world that just don't care. I'm still convinced Derrick Coleman could have been the greatest power forward in NBA history if he only gave a damn.
He's the posterchild of why there should be no guaranteed contracts in sports...the kid is an idiot and a huge waste of his God-given talents. Screw him if he won't put in the time and effort in his chosen profession or attempt to uphold his commitment to the team to live up and perform under his contract. I have no respect for low-lifes like him...
Say NO to Miles. Along with his contract, that guy brings a ton of baggage, especially for a player who has nothing more than dunking ability. Miles is another highschooler that should have went to college. I'm sure he doesn't regret since he's making millions, but athletic ability will only get you so far in the NBA.
jopatmc, seriously man at what point will you realize that Miles is more trouble than he's worth. The guy is constantly getting in trouble with management, has never showed any kind of drive or determination for the game, and could very well be drinking during practice and game days. For all his gifts and potential, you just CANNOT trust this guy. All these conceptual arguments about "right fit" and putting guys in a "situation where they can succeed" doesn't work if the player just doesn't give a damn. No way would I trade Juwan for Miles. One extra contract year for a cancer? No way. If it blows up, then it hurts our long-term cap situation, and locker room chemistry. And the chances of it blowing up are huge.
What kind of cancer is Juwan? I will lead the parade when he is traded for an asset, but the reason he is tradable is because he is a solid, professional, competent NBAer.
I assume this was a clever ploy to make your point. Otherwise that specific sentence might have been composed, "Miles is another highschooler who should have gone to college."
jopatmc, Comparing Miles to Spree or Rasheed doesn't work because those guys have had very productive seasons. In his 2nd year, Rasheed was already up to 15/7. Spree averaged 21 pts/game in year 2. Miles hasn't shown very much. Why do people think this guy is talented and has so much upside? If he hasn't applied himself in 6 NBA seasons, how likely is it the guy will be different next year? Three franchises (and more coaches) have tried and failed. Also, this notion that JVG can turn junk metal into gold is nonsense. According to some, wasn't he supposed to do this with Stro? And for me, this stuff that just came up about him drinking heavily on game days completely kills any idea of getting him. Last summer, I was intrigued by Miles but no longer.
Rodman was more trouble than he was worth in San Antonio too. Maxwell was more trouble than he was worth when he decided he didn't want to be here after we traded for Clyde. Rasheed was throwing basketballs at his own teammates and cussing out his coaches in Portland. No, you cannot trust Miles. But it's not about trust. It's about winning. I don't think any of those guys, except possibly Yao because of his value system, are trustworthy. You know, some of you guys resemble the Orlando fan base when TMac was wanting out of there. TMac did not give a .... either. Vince did not give a .... in Toronto either. Him and Rafer were wanting to fist fight the coach. Rasheed didn't give a .... either. You keep Juwan on the team because you can trust him to......not come to practice with alcohol on his breath, to practice hard, to be professional......and you can trust him to get his brains beat in every night. And you can also trust Juwan to always wear that goatee. He is consistent that Juwan. Yeah, let's keep him.......because we TRUST him. Lame argument man. If it blows up, it doesn't hurt us any worse than running Juwan out there for 3 MORE YEARS!!!!! Name me one other possible way to get rid of Juwan and get anything of value for him. Just one.
Clutch, In the spirit of the Lottery race posts (which I enjoyed every bit of, the Mark Madsen one was the perfect ending), I vote this season you put together some "potential non-Rocket profiles" (in retrospect I wish that's what Swift and Anderson ended up as).
