RA's system is a read and react system, not easy to learn at all. This signing means we are putting a premium on someone who can fit in NOW. All the other centers mentioned (including Darko LOL) are either not on the market or RA doesn't want to spend time getting them on board, not after our other players have had at least a year to play in his system. The Rockets are not yet through making their moves. Just stay patient.
I hope the comments of Miller and Noah are buried somewhere in this thread, but I haven't found them. So apologies if this is a repeat, but here they are. I like these comments, especially the "big butt" part. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5388602 MILLER: "It's my favorite coach I've ever played for. I know Martin real well from our Sacramento days. Luis Scola had a heck of a year. And I finally get to play with Yao Ming instead of guarding his big butt. The team is pretty solid," he said, according to the report. NOAH: "I learned a lot from Brad," Noah said in a text message. "It's going to be very different with him not around. He's a real professional." I think that last bit is a big point to this signing. A lot of the other back up centers that you guys are throwing around in here don't fit that last word too well.
Miller is a good signing. Knows the offense, adds another coach to the floor for Adelmans offense. The guy is gonna be rejuvenated because he loves playing for Adelman. Good signing, we needed this.
I was never that onboard with signing Miller. Morey himself said we need a rim-protecting big. Brad Miller is not that at all. He's basically a better version of David Andersen. This is an okay deal. At least he's a true center. But I would much rather have traded for Gortat or another player along those lines.
To the guys who think Bard is overpaid, think again... Bard has starting center quality and he will be playing 20+ minutes for at least the first half of the season. I won't be surprised even if he starts over Yao at the beginning of the season. He is a part time starter, not really a back up! 5M a year for a 7' starting center is not overpaid.
I think this was an important point for the Rockets. They wanted a big man who did not need half a season to figure out Adelman's system, someone who could contribute right away and keep the team competitive while Yao works himself back.
Thanks for posting the comments. I think you nailed it. He's a real professional with experience. Exactly, what we need for a championship run.
While Miller is not much of a shot-blocker (he can get a block here and there, though), he is still a rim-protector. Opposing players will think twice about driving the lane with Miller in the game because Brad is not afraid to commit the hard foul. Brad Miller has a nastiness that this team lacks. He would rather knock a fast-breaking wing into the stands than allow him to score a breakaway layup. He would rather risk a possible flagrant foul call than play the role of matador to a driving guard. No. Layups. Ever. THAT, my friend, is a rim-protector.
B. Mill is a great pickup. A few years back in the first round Boston vs Chi, B. Mill made some great plays and shots...
Your correct and he's going to become a fan favorite, he's tough, he protects his teammates and he won't back down from anyone and he's Barkleyesque in his quotes with the media ala playing with Yao and not against his big butt. Classic stuff and he's got enough of game left to be a more than serviceable backup center. He not only knows Adelman's system but more importantly Adelman knows him and what will work when he's in the game. He's a big time improvement over Anderson and time will tell. Although Yao at his best is dominate and Miller won't approach that but he is a team player who doesn't demand that he gets his and he'll blend right in with our 2nd unit. He's your typical pro who you hate to play against but love him on your squad.
A couple of hard fouls from Miller might toughen up Jordan Hill into a more physical center in 2 years.
Brad Miller is a great pickup. Though I do believe he is getting paid more than he is worth, it is not a bad idea to overpay him because he fills a need (legitimate 7-foot center), knows the system, and allows us to have 2 centers who are great passers. It is not like his contract is going to cripple the franchise anyway. Considering that he was highly sought after by championship caliber teams clearly shows that he has something left in the tank. Whether it's 3 years left, that remains to be seen.
Oh yea, and pleeeaseee trade David Andersen! I don't care even if it's for a future 3rd round pick in 2042. I just don't want to see his name anymore whenever I look at the Rockets roster!
