I'll admit, I wasn't particularly thrilled with the Brad Miller acquisition. But he's been a pleasant surprise this season. Strengths: - Very good jump-shooting center. - Excellent passer. - Despite lack of explosion, knows how to score around the basket. Miller might be the best shooting and passing center in the league, and he's our backup. That's pretty good. Weaknesses: - Defense - Defense - Defense He struggles guarding opposing players that play away from the basket. He's slow on rotations. He offers almost no rim protection. That said, his size/bulk helps a tad against post-ups, and he's smart enough to know what the team is supposed to do (and that will improve as the season goes on, he's still relatively new). Some stats: 18.8 mpg 125 ORTG 18.9 PER 62 TS% Per 36 minutes: 16.1 points, 7.6 boards, 4.4 assists, 1.6 turnovers On/Off +/-: +7 on offense, -6.3 on defense (negative is good thing on defense) That the team has held down opponents better with Miller on the floor is a surprise. I don't think its a reflection of his individual defense, but rather who he's playing with and against and maybe some luck. Though perhaps him being 7-feet tall does help.
Good post. Miller's D isn't as bad as we think (relatively speaking). There are times when he has surprisingly good hands during scrums or opportunities to strip/poke the ball. He is also half decent on his rotations and usually has a hand up on his guy. He's just slow slow slow and his effort isn't always consistent. I'm ok with him playing a role in role player's minutes. At this point we have to forget what his price tag is and use him the best way possible.
I was about to make a similiar thread because I think the same can be said for Lee. People made up thier minds about Lee/Miller after the first couple of games for some reason, but I think they have both been solid.
Agree, I really like the influence he seems to have on JHill and offensively he is exactly what Adelman needed...another leader on the court.
Good point. With Miller, Battier, and Hayes, the Rockets have some vets who I think will really help in the development of the younger players.
I was always high on Miller. Not so much the contract, but oh well. The thing with Miller is he doesn't have to stop every play, just some of them. Be a presence in the paint. Thats all we wanted. To stop so many lay-up drills. Little did we know that Hill would emerge as a threat so early in the season. I was expecting this type of production from Hill come mid-season.
Brad's a badass. His scowl and demeanor are just what the Rockets team needed since Artest left. I love the way he mean mugs the other team.
Good OP, durvasa. Miller's still working himself into shape as well, in my opinion. As good a shape as he can work himself into at this point in his career. I just wish he'd come a bit cheaper. At least the last year of the deal gives the Rocks a lot of flexability.
love the thread title too...it's actually positive and puts the team in a good vibe...instead of most of the other negative thread titles..good god.
bingo. he knocks down jumpers without much trouble no matter what's going on... except for the wide open 6 footer he missed last night... fluke.
Brad Miller has been the worst Pick and Roll defender on the team. A lot of times he does not even show on the guard and just stays in the paint giving up a easy 2 or 3 or forcing someone else to help late on a drive or roll often leading to a foul. He has been a clutch passer and shooter at times sporadically, but I cringe when teams purposely would run the PnR off his guy in the 4th quarter. Given that the PnR is a lot of teams bread and butter 4th quarter play, he is value is still a wash.
On offense Miller never gets rattled and always finds a way to make something happen. I"m terrible at judging defense so I can't comment.
For whatever reason, his 1-on-1 D appears to be awful, but the team performs better defensively on a PPP basis when he's on the court. Maybe those numbers will even out with a larger sample size ... I don't know. But 125 ORTG -- that is pretty awesome. I knew he was doing well, but that is really impressive.
Yeah, I really like Hill and Miller on the floor last night. When Miller is on the floor it seems like everyone knows what they're doing.
