Our long Andre Miller nightmare is over, but what did he know?
“He reportedly went so far as to say he “hated” the Nuggets and that he refused to suit up for the team. So what about Brian Shaw’s methods did Miller find so detestable and what could fans learn about the Nuggets from his behavior?”
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Nuggets fans didn’t tire of Andre Miller this season. Oh, no. The aging point guard wore out his welcome here long ago. Under George Karl folks commonly griped that Miller got far too many minutes considering his fading skill level and propensity to shoot ill advised shots. Miller has been frustrating to watch for a good two or three years.
No other player so represents the Karl era as Miller – which he demonstrated by bitching to and about the new regime in Denver. Brian Shaw was forced to set Miller aside lest his newfound authority be undermined. And so Miller sat, and got paid richly to do so.
And now he’s finally gone.
Tim Connelly, Denver’s rookie GM, was able to piece together a “garbage in, garbage out” deal with the Wizards that essentially disposed of Miller and brought back nothing but cap space. It’s a good day for the Nuggets. A troublesome player is gone and they are better positioned to tank the rest of the 2014 season an eye on improving next year when they’re healthier.
Meanwhile, one has to wonder what turned Andre Miller into such a malcontent.
He reportedly went so far as to say he “hated” the Nuggets and that he refused to suit up for the team. So what about Brian Shaw’s methods did Miller find so detestable and what could fans learn about the Nuggets from his behavior?
Our tendency as fans has been to “side” with the organization in its clash with old Andre, giving Brian Shaw the benefit of the doubt. But there must have been something to Miller’s objections besides his own selfish interests.
Obviously something really bugged Andre Miller. It may have just been his playing time or lack thereof but it’s more likely that the veteran saw something in the way the Nuggets were being operated that caused him to believe he was aboard a sinking ship. Andre Miller is no dummy. He has played for several teams and many coaches – enough to know a rotten situation when he sees one.
It would be great to sit down with Miller and get his take on the state of the Denver Nuggets. Surely someone will. It might be ESPN’s George Karl. Now that would be a conversation worth tuning in for.
