In the push for playoff supremacy, sometimes a team has to tweak their roster in what would seem like the slightest way to gain a significant advantage. Think of it like a sword maker who knows that he only needs to change one of 10 ingredients to make a blade sharper, stronger or lighter, in an effort to get an edge on the competition (drum roll – kick).
Photo courtesy of NBA.com
So why would the oldest team in the NBA choose to pick up the oldest player in the league? Could Andre “The Professor” Miller be that subtle tweak which makes the difference between finishing on top of the mountain and almost making it there? When I heard that the Spurs would sign Miller, I received several questions and comments from friends that I’d like to share with you:
• “Typical Spurs! Picking old dudes to play for them while the young teams run them to the ground.”
Sure, the Spurs make it easy for the bandwagon (ahem – Golden State) fan to laugh at them, but genius is always made fun of by the less visionary. This particular “old dude” has been a key component to many teams who were serious about a championship. That’s what Miller offers: playoff experience and a keen understanding of what kind of effort is needed in a short amount of time (ala Steve Kerr).
• “Who gets left out of the rotation?”
We all now knew Ray McCallum would be the one to get released, but having Miller might also mean fewer minutes for Manu. Pop has never been the kind of coach who puts his player’s health in jeopardy. If you think a regular season game against a division opponent is rough, the playoffs are only going to test Manu’s fortitude and conditioning to a greater degree. Most likely he’s going to be less Manu-like on defense, which means symbolically, Manu will not be a serious part of the roster come playoff time, which means more time for Miller.
(Editor’s note: After missing 12 games due to testicular injury, last night Manu Ginobili scored a season-high 22 points against the Sacramento Kings.)
• “Why would the Spurs pick up someone so late in the season when it takes time to learn ‘the system’?”
This one took a while to figure out. Fans who watched the NBA from 2009 to 2011 will recall that Miller and LaMarcus Aldridge were a potent combo on the pick and pop in Portland. Miller may offer a surprise attack for a team whose offensive strategy is less than secretive. (Yes, I admit that the Spurs’ offense can be predictable at times.) Andre is a pure shooter who can score in stretches, but is an even better commander during crunch time, which is every playing second during the second season.
• “The Spurs were obviously going for someone on the cheap over paying the money for a younger and more athletic Kevin Martin.”
Calling Miller’s talents cheap is anything but the truth as he is known for his high basketball IQ. Maybe the reason they went after the old man is because his smarts will ensure he fits into the system more quickly than a younger guy who is used to isolation play. If you haven’t noticed – isolation play tends to make our players look like they are stuck in the mud.
(Editor’s note: The Spurs will sign Kevin Miller, too.)
As a Spurs fan, I’m really excited about having Andre Miller join the team. He’s healthy and well rested. He is not going to be the shiny bench piece that T-Mac was in 2013. I believe we are all in for a pleasant surprise when “The Professor” provides the X-factor for “The Juice Crew.” Spurs Nation may have found another super hero come playoff time – I’m crossing my fingers.
