Andre Miller News: Pro Sports Daily

Blazers unleash fast-break speed, race past Timberwolves

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November 9

Oregonian

"After years of talking about pushing the tempo, the Trail Blazers are finally doing it, and it's no coincidence that the new fast-break Trail Blazers are being led by point guard Andre Miller. With long passes, and urgent dribbling, Miller continued to change the look and style of the Blazers on Sunday as the Blazers amassed 21 fast-break points during a runaway 116-93 win over Minnesota in front of a Rose Garden sellout of 20,306. In the first five games of the season, when Miller was coming off the bench, the Blazers had 19 fast-break points, compared to 62 by their opponents. In the two games since he was inserted into the starting lineup, giving the Blazers a three-guard attack, the ..."

Blazer attack gets big assist, as Miller fuels big win over outmanned Minnesota

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November 9

Portland Tribune

"The statistics Sunday night at the Rose Garden were a bit unusual, to say the least. Brandon Roy scored two points - the fewest he has scored since the fifth game of his rookie season, when he played fewer than seven minutes because of injury. The Trail Blazers ran out to 21 fastbreak points - 16 in the first half - after averaging an NBA-low 5.2 the first six games of the season. Portland dished out a season-high 35 assists and shot .500 from the field - that after averaging 17.8 and shooting .424 in the first six games. And the Blazers, who had scored more than 100 points only once and were averaging 94.5, had 92 by the end of the third quarter. The result was an ..."

Nate McMillan comfortable with Andre Miller calling Blazers' plays

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November 8

Oregonian

"Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan did more than insert Andre Miller into the starting lineup against the San Antonio Spurs -- he handed over the keys to his offense and took away Miller's learner's permit. For the first time in his coaching career, McMillan allowed his point guard to call most of the plays as the Blazers defeated the Spurs 96-84 at the Rose Garden on Friday. After McMillan yelled out the first set of the game, Miller essentially took over from there. "I was a point guard who called my own plays ... so I'm OK with that," McMillan said, referring to his days as a player with the Seattle SuperSonics. "If you know the reads and you have a feel, I don't have a problem with ..."

Blazers need to sharpen their points; Miller, Blake have been spotty

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November 5

Portland Tribune

"Five games into the season, nothing much is going smoothly for the Trail Blazers. Portland (2-3) is shooting .422 from the field, not playing the kind of defense coach Nate McMillan preaches and has taken its customary spot in last place in the NBA in fastbreak points, averaging 3.8 per game. One of the biggest questions coming into the season - how free-agent point guard Andre Miller would fit in - is only beginning to be answered. Miller, coming off the bench in place of starter Steve Blake, showed off his ballhandling and passing talents in Tuesday's 97-91 loss to Atlanta, dishing out 11 assists with no turnovers in 28 minutes. The 6-3 Miller set up Greg Oden for a sweet second-quarter ..."

Miller returns to Utah, this time as a Blazer

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October 16

Salt Lake Tribune

"Andre Miller has another new home -- his fifth in 11 NBA seasons. So far, he's happy with a summertime decision to sign a three-year, $21 million contract with the up-and-coming Portland Trail Blazers. "As long as you have a job in this league, any decision is a good decision," he said Thursday night, after the Jazz's 99-96 preseason win over Portland at EnergySolutions Arena. "I like this team. I like the work habits." Miller continues to enjoy folk-hero status in Utah. In 1998, he quarterbacked the Utes past opponents like Arkansas, Arizona and North Carolina and into the NCAA championship game, where they lost to Kentucky. It was a remarkable achievement and a springboard to a ..."

Miller, Oden shine in 'Turn Back the Clock' loss

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October 15

Portland Tribune

"It was Turn Back the Clock night as the Blazers began celebration of their 40th anniversary by playing their first game at Memorial Coliseum - home of the franchise for its first 25 seasons - since moving to the Rose Garden in 1995. A sellout crowd of 11,740 watched the Suns win a fast-paced contest in which Portland at times resembled the original Blazers - who allowed opponents to average 120 points a game en route to a 29-53 record - from a defensive standpoint. "We never established ourselves on the defensive end of the floor," Portland coach Nate McMillan said. "We let (the Suns) control the tempo. We scored, but we didn't play any defense." Guards Steve Nash and Leandro Barbosa had ..."

Andre Miller signed with the Trail Blazers to win games, not friends

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October 4

Oregonian

"After three weeks in the Northwest, a week of practices and countless media encounters, it has become blatantly clear that Andre Miller, the Trail Blazers' biggest free agent acquisition, did not arrive in Portland to make new friends. Teammates and coaches have praised Miller for his superb passing ability, on-court leadership and veteran savvy. Early indications suggest that he is going to be an asset for this team, if not a force that helps propel the Blazers to a playoff run. But as positive as the on-court reports have been, Miller's off-the-court demeanor has raised an equal number of eyebrows. After a frosty media day introduction, Miller has gone out of his way to make it clear ..."

Only one Blazers player fails conditioning test ...and Blake sets a record

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October 1

Oregonian

"Andre Miller was the only player with a guaranteed contract who didn't pass the Trail Blazers conditioning test on Tuesday night, while Steve Blake, Travis Outlaw and Greg Oden recorded notable times. In each of his five training camps, coach Nate McMillan holds a conditioning test that requires players to run the length of the court and back five times, or in other words, 10 lines. They have to do this in four different sets. Guards are allowed 61 seconds to do 10 lines, forwards 64 seconds and centers 65 seconds. Players are allowed to "bank" time in each set, meaning if they finish under the designated time for one set, it carries over to the next sets. Miller finished his four sets 8 ..."

Miller 'opens things for everybody'

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September 29

Portland Tribune

"Miller, who signed a three-year, $21.7-million free agent contract with Portland over the summer, will compete with incumbent Steve Blake for the starting point guard position. For the past two weeks, Miller has taken part in pickup games with his new teammates at the Blazers' training facility. Early reviews were laudatory. When you're playing alongside Miller, "You always have to be ready," Brandon Roy says. "He makes passes I know I'm afraid to make. He threads the needle." "It's great to have a great point guard, to take a lot of pressure off our star player (Roy)," Martell Webster says. "It opens up the court for a lot of people. You could have (Miller) on the first or second unit ... ..."

McMillan sure Miller will fit in

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September 24

Portland Tribune

"Media aren't allowed to watch, so I can't give you a report on how the veteran point guard is meshing with his new teammates. Nate McMillan can, though. The Blazer coach assumes a bit of an incognito presence - minus the Groucho Marx mask - as he peeks between the shades in his office, or walks into the gym, to get an idea of what's going on out on the court. "I try not to speak out there a lot," McMillan says. "I don't want our guys to think they are getting evaluated." Even so, McMillan is good enough to offer this evaluation of what he's seen: "He looks good. I know Andre can play. When you're talking about a player with his experience and feel for the game, it's just a matter of him ..."

Andre Miller: 'I'm still peaking'

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July 29

Portland Tribune

"Andre Miller and the Portland Trail Blazers agree on a lot of things. Mostly, they concur on whether he can make the Blazers better, offensively and defensively and in competitiveness and mental toughness. "The focus is going to be there, and it's going to be fun," Miller said Tuesday afternoon during a news conference at the team's practice facility in Tualatin. The veteran point guard from the University of Utah recently signed a three-year, $21-million contract with the Blazers as a free agent from the Philadelphia 76ers. The third year is at the Blazers' option. "It feels pretty good," Miller said, of joining his new team. "We met up in Vegas (during negotiations) and had dinner and ..."

Sizing up Andre Miller: A difference-maker for Trail Blazers?

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July 26

Portland Tribune

"Those who regularly watched Andre Miller play for the Philadelphia 76ers last season suggest the Trail Blazers have landed a difference-maker. The veteran point guard, 33, Friday signed a three-year, $21-million free-agent contract, with Portland owning the option for the third year. "Andre was terrific for us last year," says Philadelphia assistant coach Jimmy Lynam, who served on the staffs of Jack Ramsay and Maurice Cheeks in Portland. "Maybe somebody would argue that he's not as good or better than he ever was, but that's the way I see it." "He wasn't the best player on the Sixers last season, but the most important," says Phil Jasner, the Hall-of-Fame beat writer with the Philadelphia ..."

Miller finalizing deal with Portland

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July 24

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Andre Miller's agent, Andy Miller, has confirmed that within 24 hours Andre Miller will be a Portland Trailblazer. Andy Miller said the two parties are "finalizing" the deal today and it should become official within 24 hours. His client, who has been the 76ers starting point guard for the last 2-1/2 seasons, will receive a deal that one source said was "an improvement" over the deal the Sixers were offering, which was reportedly in the 1-year/$6 million range. Yesterday, Sixers General Manager Ed Stefanski removed the team's offer to Miller, essentially ending any chance of Miller returning to the Sixers. Last season, Miller started all 88 games (82 regular season, 6 playoff) at point ..."

Sixers withdraw offer to Andre Miller

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July 24

Philadelphia Daily News

"If Andre Miller's tenure with the 76ers wasn't already over, it is seemingly another step closer. A source familiar with the situation said the Sixers have withdrawn their 1-year offer to the veteran point guard.The Sixers made that move because they believe Miller does not want to return on a 1-year contract. There have been multiple reports in recent days about interest from the New York Knicks and the Portland Trail Blazers, and both the Sixers and Miller's agent, Andy Miller, are open to the possibility of a sign-and-trade.Sixers president/general manager Ed Stefanski, who declined comment, is in Las Vegas watching Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus Young perform in the U.S. national team's ..."

Stymied Blazers taking a run at Sixers point guard Miller

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July 22

NBA.com

"Twice spurned in their attempts to sign a high-profile free agent this summer, the Portland Trail Blazers are jumping back into the fray, opening discussions with the agent for Philadelphia 76ers free-agent point guard Andre Miller, according to sources. A deal is not imminent, but there has been progress made toward resolving Miller's status, according to a source with knowledge of the discussions. The Blazers have been looking to upgrade at point guard but didn't get very far in talks with Dallas guard Jason Kidd (who re-signed with the Mavericks) or Phoenix's Steve Nash (who agreed to a two-year, $22 million extension with the Suns on Monday). Portland was not looking hard at Miller ..."

Blazers 'opening discussions' with Sixers' Andre Miller

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July 22

Oregonian

"The Philadelphia Inquirer (by way of the NY Daily News) wrote this morning 76ers free agent point guard Andre Miller met with Blazers officials last week. And Tuesday afternoon, David Aldridge of NBA.com says Portland is "opening discussions" with Miller: The Blazers have been looking to upgrade at point guard but didn't get very far in talks with Dallas guard Jason Kidd (who re-signed with the Mavericks) or Phoenix's Steve Nash (who agreed to a two-year, $22 million extension with the Suns on Monday). Portland was not looking hard at Miller because the Blazers thought they needed to add someone to the roster with more perimeter shooting skills than the 33-year-old. But with $7.7 million ..."

76ers still at impasse with Andre Miller

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July 21

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Another conversation between 76ers president and general manager Ed Stefanski and the agent for free agent guard Andre Miller ended yesterday with no change to the status quo."We are still in the sign-and-trade mode," Stefanski said about his talk with Andy Miller, with whom he has spoken frequently since NBA free agency began.Meanwhile, with 10 players under contract, the Sixers are looking to add four to their roster in time for the 2009-10 season. If Andre Miller opts to sign with another organization - the New York Daily News reported that Miller met yesterday with the Knicks and last week with the Portland Trail Blazers officials - it would preclude the Sixers from perhaps getting a ..."

Knicks admit interest in Andre Miller

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July 21

Philadelphia Daily News

"The New York Knicks, ever so carefully, are evaluating their level of interest in 76ers unrestricted free agent Andre Miller.To that end, Knicks president of basketball operations Donnie Walsh confirmed that he has had "conversations'' with both Andre Miller and his agent, Andy Miller. Walsh, just back from the Las Vegas Summer League, would not confirm speculation that he met directly with both in New York."We've had conversations, but with no resolution - that's the extent of it,'' Walsh said. "We're interested enough to talk, but we're not in any kind of deal mode at this point, and I'm not sure where it will go. I do think Andre is a good player.''The Knicks could simply sign Andre ..."

Sixers in bind at point position

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July 20

Camden Courier-Post

"It didn't have to happen this way. The Sixers are about to turn the point guard position over to Lou Williams, who never has really played point guard before in the NBA, while letting resident point guard Andre Miller leave for nothing. The Sixers could have traded Miller before the deadline in February, gotten something in return while finding out if Williams could play the position over the final two months of the season. Now, the 76ers are going in blind, not knowing if Williams can be an effective NBA point guard. That's because Sixers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski decided to keep Miller at the deadline, then take the chance that he would re-sign him over the summer. Yet, ..."

Agents rebuff Miller-Duhon deal between Sixers, Knicks

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July 13

Philadelphia Daily News

"The Andre Miller-Chris Duhon trade speculation has been rampant for a few days. There's smoke, but there doesn't appear to be any fire. The speculation has had the 76ers involved in a sign-and-trade scenario, sending Miller, their unrestricted free agent, to the New York Knicks for point guard Chris Duhon. But . . . a highly placed source within the Knicks' organization told the Daily News yesterday that there has been no contact with Miller. Meanwhile, a source familiar with the Sixers' situation told the Daily News that no such offer has been made. Andy Miller, the agent for Andre Miller, said in a text message that "there is nothing to report." Kevin Bradbury, the agent for Duhon, said ..."

Knicks continue to play NBA market, seek point guard Andre Miller

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July 12

New York Daily News

"Knicks president Donnie Walsh and his staff are meeting here this weekend to discuss whether they should gamble on pursuing free agent point guard Andre Miller. The club is denying a published report that the Knicks and Sixers are working on a sign-and-trade that would send Chris Duhon to Philadelphia for Miller. However, one team official said that it is a plausible alternative if Miller turns down a one-year, $5.85 million contract. The Sixers, of course, would have to agree to the deal and would likely ask for a draft pick or cash to complete the trade. Miller was hoping to secure a three-year, $30 million contract before the free agent market dried up. If Miller accepts the Knicks' ..."

Knicks could look to Andre Miller as Plan B if Grant Hill stays in Phoenix

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July 10

New York Daily News

"If Grant Hill elects to re-sign with the Phoenix Suns, the Knicks will consider making an offer to free agent point guard Andre Miller, according to a team source. With free agent dollars drying up and more teams exercising fiscal responsibility, Miller is one high-profile free agent who is falling through the cracks. Miller's loss could be a huge gain for the Knicks, who would significantly upgrade their point-guard position by adding a player who helped transform the Sixers from a lottery team to solid playoff team after he came over from Denver in the Allen Iverson trade. The Knicks could conceivably offer Miller the same deal Jason Kidd rejected; $18million over three years. Another ..."

Contract talks between Sixers, Andre Miller sound like parting shots

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July 9

Philadelphia Daily News

"It was as if Ed Stefanski took a measure of relief in announcing the Sixers' hitherto speculated divorce from free-agent point guard Andre Miller is, in fact, probably going to be a reality."We have made an offer to Andre but they're looking for a better offer from other places," the Sixers' general manager said yesterday. "I'd say right now we're in the mode of looking for a sign-and-trade that makes sense for both sides . . . I'd say we're far apart."Years? Money?"It's both," Stefanski said. "To go long-term on a contract with an older point guard - we don't see that as a viable option right now."Stefanski said that Andy Miller, Andre Miller's agent, is currently "canvassing the league" ..."

Free-agent Miller not adjusting price for Sixers

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July 2

PhillyBurbs.com

"A struggling economy, teams gearing up for 2010 free agency and impending decreases in the NBA's salary cap and luxury-tax threshold resulted in the Jazz's Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur declining to opt out of their contracts Tuesday. Boozer and Okur, who had been expected to be in demand if they hit the free-agent market, didn't want to try it because they knew signing for less was quite possible under the circumstances. With that in mind, might Sixers' point guard Andre Miller, who became a free agent Wednesday, and agent Andy Miller (no relation) have to adjust what they want? The answer apparently is no. A three-year contract worth close to $30 million - the 33-year-old Miller made ..."

Sixers will target Miller

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June 30

Camden Courier-Post

"A year ago, flush with more than $10 million in salary-cap space, Sixers president and general manager Ed Stefanski made a full-court press for free agents Josh Smith and Elton Brand. He later signed Brand to a five-year, $82 million contract. This year, with free agency beginning at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Stefanski will be more subdued. Sure, he'll likely be on the phone, but it most likely will be to his own player, Andre Miller, the point guard who is about to become an unrestricted free agent. The Sixers are over the salary cap, so they can't go on a spending spree like they did last summer. The only way the Sixers can go after unrestricted free agents such as Hedo Turkoglu, Ben Gordon, ..."

Agent says Jordan's hiring as Sixers coach won't affect Andre Miller's decision

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June 4

Philadelphia Daily News

"Question: Does the 76ers' hiring of Eddie Jordan as their new coach affect unrestricted free agent Andre Miller's decision whether to re-sign? Answer: Apparently not. "My problem isn't the coach, it's the economy," Miller's agent, Andy Miller, said, laughing. More seriously, Andy Miller said, "Andre knew what was going on. Ed [Sixers president/general manager Stefanski] texted him, and Andre didn't seem to have any issue [with the choice]. I don't think it dawned on him as a factor." Nor, seemingly, does Jordan's plan to implement the pass-and-cut Princeton offense. "As a veteran point guard who is accustomed to running a team, how does that really affect him?" Andy Miller said. "I didn't ..."

Miller, Ratliff miss meeting

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May 2

Camden Courier-Post

"The messages were clear, whether it was Sixers center Theo Ratliff spouting off about the lack of accountability from the coaching staff; Andre Iguodala talking about "sitting down with (general manager) Ed (Stefanski) and discussing what I think will get us over the (hump);" or some players seemingly not giving a ringing endorsement to bringing Tony DiLeo back as the head coach. But perhaps the loudest message came from point guard Andre Miller, who along with Ratliff, didn't show up for the final team meeting Friday -- less than one day after the Sixers were unceremoniously dumped from the playoffs, 114-89, by the Orlando Magic in Game 6 Thursday. Miller and Ratliff are unrestricted free ..."

Point guard a concern if Miller doesn't return

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May 2

Philadelphia Inquirer

"On Thursday night, after a 25-point, season-ending loss, backup center Theo Ratliff criticized the 76ers' coaching staff while teammate Andre Miller said he was unhappy and said it was a sour way to go out.If Miller doesn't return, the team needs a point guard.Reserve shooting guard Lou Williams said he believes himself capable of being a starting point guard."We've never seen him do that," general manager Ed Stefanski said. "So that's the unknown."Stefanski said the team would be looking to draft a "perimeter player" with their first-round pick in next month's NBA draft.Stefanski also said without Miller, and with a different point guard, the team would probably have a different style of ..."

Andre Miller, Theo Ratliff truant from Sixers' final meetings

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May 2

Philadelphia Daily News

"IN THE MILITARY, they call it going AWOL.On the afternoon following the disastrous night, two of the 76ers' more loyal soldiers during the season, starting point guard Andre Miller and veteran backup center Theo Ratliff, were absent without official leave for scheduled meetings with team president and general manager Ed Stefanski and (for now) head coach Tony DiLeo.As Miller and Ratliff didn't phone ahead to request dispensations, their no-show status raised yet another cloud over a team still in a fog following Thursday night's ugly, season-ending 114-89 Game 6 playoff loss to the Orlando Magic at the Wachovia Center.Given that Miller and Ratliff become unrestricted free agents on July 1, ..."

Warriors should try to land 76ers point guard Andre Miller

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April 25

San Francisco Chronicle

columnist Bruce Jenkins

"There's a lot of Andre Miller conversation in the Warriors' chat rooms, and rightly so. It's always nice to watch someone who knows how to run an offense, and as an unrestricted free agent, Miller is free to sign with any team this summer if he chooses to leave the Philadelphia 76ers. Chicago's Kirk Hinrich will most likely be available, maybe a few others, but Miller will be the best option among experienced point guards. With his substantial quickness and defensive mind-set, he's a youthful 33 (Chauncey Billups is just six months younger) and making the painfully ordinary 76ers look respectable as a playoff entry. It seems clear that while the Warriors haven't said so outright - do they ..."

Sixers stand pat; Miller listed as day-to-day

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February 20

Camden Courier-Post

"If Andre Miller doesn't play for the Sixers on Saturday, it will be because he's injured and not because he got traded. Sixers president and general manager Ed Stefanski made sure of that Thursday by refusing to trade Miller -- or anybody else on the team -- by the 3 p.m. deadline. He said the Sixers "were never offered a basketball deal that made sense." Miller strained his right calf in the third quarter of the Sixers' 101-89 loss to Denver on Wednesday, which could end his consecutive games streak at 501, the longest among active players. An MRI taken Thursday confirmed the right calf strain, and his status is day-to-day. Miller didn't practice Thursday. Yet no one on the team expects ..."

Miller exits Sixers' loss with injury

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February 19

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Tonight, the 76ers stirred a losing recipe: Andre Miller strained his right calf, Andre Iguodala fouled out, they hit less than a third of their shots, and they started the second half as if they needed a Red Bull. Combined, it became a head-shaking 101-89 loss to the Denver Nuggets at the Wachovia Center. Only a few minutes into the third quarter, Miller missed a short jumper. While pursuing the long rebound, he extended to deflect the basketball. Somewhere in this offensive possession, Miller aggravated his calf muscle. He began limping back on defense, grabbing his leg between steps. Miller attempted a few more seconds of play, but with 7 minutes, 23 seconds remaining in the third ..."

Sixers' Miller hires new agent

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September 20

Philadelphia Inquirer

"The future of Andre Miller with the 76ers can become an official discussion point. That is because Miller, who has been without an agent, agreed to have Andy Miller represent him. Andy Miller confirmed yesterday that he has been in touch with Sixers president/general manager Ed Stefanski to set up an introductory meeting. Andy Miller also represents Sixers first-round draft choice Marreese Speights. Andre Miller, 32, is entering the final season of his contract, listed at $10 million. Most observers thought he was last season's team Most Valuable Player. "Ed and I are just going to talk about everyone's perspective," Andy Miller said. "Andre is optimistic about where the team is and is ..."