The Akron Beacon Journal’s Brian Windhorst is reporting the Cavaliers are talking to the 76ers regarding point guard Andre Miller and to the Grizzlies about shooting guard Mike Miller. Both are good players who can help the Cavs in their pursuit of a return trip to the NBA Finals. Which one is the better fit for the wine and gold? The obvious answer is Miller, but which one?
It says here the Memphis guard would be the choice Miller. The Cavaliers need someone else who can hit outside shots, and although the common talk around town is that the Cavs need a point guard, I think they need a shooter and another serviceable big man more. Anderson Varajao should return to the Cavs line up in about a week, but the Brazilian’s style fits in better with Mike Brown’s system, and getting another defensive oriented big man would be a nice acquisition.
Over the past couple of months, we have seen what occurs when Larry Hughes, Daniel Gibson, and Damon Jones are clicking from the perimeter. LeBron James can get to the rim easily, and if defended, he will hit his open teammates for wide open looks. If Mike Miller can get those kind of looks, it says here he will go from a 17 point per game scorer to one who can average 20 per night. Plus, Miller is still young and has two years remaining on his current deal.
He also allows Coach Brown to stay with a big lineup. With Miller and Hughes starting in the backcourt, the wine and gold still go 6’5” and 6’6” at guard. The current Grizzly needs to improve his play on that end of the floor, but the Cavs’ coach is a defensive teacher and can probably help in that regard. Miller would have to want to improve, but I’m guessing going to a team with a chance to win the East would spur on his learning curve.
As for Andre Miller, he is on the wrong side of 30, and not a very good defender either. The pros on him are that he is a pure point guard, one who would definitely make James the finisher of the play, not the initiator. However, when it comes to crunch time, you want LBJ to have the ball. It would be hard to imagine that any player would make better decisions with the ball than #23. His shot is also inconsistent, but he can put the ball in the hole if left open.
Don’t get me wrong; either player would help the Cavaliers. And from judging the rumors out of Memphis, the wine and gold would be giving up very little. The names of Ira Newble (expiring contract), Donyell Marshall, Dwayne Jones, and Cedric Simmons have been mentioned as going to the Grizzlies. Also, Memphis would like to unload the bloated contract of Brian Cardinal, a high-energy player who is willing to do the little things. He likely would be a better player on a good team.
My preference would be Mike Miller, that simple. I think his perimeter shooting and ability to slash to the basket would fit quite nicely with LeBron. Plus, it would reunite two players who spent the summer with Team USA. The best thing is that GM Danny Ferry is trying to seize the opportunity to make a return trip to play for a title.
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 