The Deseret News is reporting the Jazz have matched Oklahoma City's offer of $15.8 million over four years to restricted free agent guard C.J. Miles.
What does this mean?
Apparently it means the Jazz aren't so high on Morris Almond. I admit I was disappointed with his performance in the two Rocky Mountain Revue games I attended in person earlier this week. He's a great guy, but his shooting wasn't as consistent as I thought it would be and he got most of his points at the free-throw line. That will fly in a summer league, but he's not getting the same calls in the NBA.
To be fair, he was much better in Thursday's game against Atlanta, where 20 of his 29 points came on 10-of-19 shooting from the field. So maybe he's better than I think, but it appears the Jazz agree that the future is Miles. And again, we're talking summer league, where people like Nate Robinson can score 30 at any given time.
C.J. has had to deal with a lot of inconsistency during his three years in the NBA. Little game time (and when he has played, it's been in four- or five-minute chunks), sitting out entire games on a regular basis, dealing with the mind games of Jerry Sloan... word on the street is that when Miles refused to play in last season's Revue (when he was not under contract), he angered Sloan, and when the Jazz resigned Miles anyway, the coach refused to play the shooting guard out of spite.
I don't know that this is true, but it does kinda sound like Jerry.
Miles did do well in the 11 minutes per game he played last season, shooting 48% from the field and 39% from the 3-point line. If he can do that with increased minutes, I'll be happy. Plus, at 6 feet, 6 inches and 220 pounds, he's got the size to play the 2-spot in the NBA.
I really, really hope Miles gets good minutes this season... something in the 20-30 minutes a game range. He's only 21, so I'm not expecting 20 ppg or anything, but I don't think it's unreasonable to expect 14 points and a couple 3-pointers per game from the kid.
There is some historical evidence that Miles would thrive if given extended, consistent minutes. On March 31 of this year, the Jazz played the Wizards. On the road, and with Brewer and Andrei sitting out, Sloan was essentially forced to play Miles, giving the youngster 30 minutes to work with. Miles finished with 29 points on 12-of-17 shooting from the field including 4-of-6 shooting from the 3-point line. He also had five assists and four rebounds with zero turnovers in the effort.
Can't ask for much more from the shooting guard position, in my opinion. It remains to be seen if he can consistently perform when given the chance to, but I believe the Jazz believe he can, at least.
Now if Jerry will only play him.
6 comments:
I'm surprised that you want that much PT for CJ. With Brewer and Korver taking 20 mpg each at the 2, when would Miles get his time in? I wish Utah would just let him go. If in three years he hasn't helped the team, especially while we had nothing at 2, then he won't do so in the future either. If Oklahoma City wants to spend $15m for a 29th pick from three years ago who's seen nothing but bench, let them at him. It would be better for both CJ and Utah.
Miles can play the 3, as well. The minutes are there for him... Harpring is on his way out.
Keep in mind the Jazz drafted Miles when he was 18, and Jerry will not play rookies that aren't named Paul Millsap. Then in his second year, he played 10 minutes per game (again, scattered in two- or three-minute chunks) at 19 years old.
Last year there was the crap with Jerry and the Revue.
I don't think it's fair to assume he's gotten a fair shot at the job the past three seasons, when really, he only had one year, at age 19, to impress Jerry and earn playing time.
Besides Fisher and Giri were playing a lot at the 2 that year. It's not like there was no one (though you know how I feel about Fish).
CJ will be way more successful than Almond
Yeah, and you know how I feel about Giricek. The opportunity was there for somebody who was capable of taking it. I like Fisher, but not at 2. I just haven't ever seen anything out of CJ that looked that promising. Just another teenage draft misfire, in my opinion. The one 29-point game was little different than an exhibition, late in the season against a tired team missing Gil and Caron. Lots of crummy players have an occasional good night. For example, Jumaine Jones scored 31 against the Lakers on Feb 3 2006, but you didn't see anybody clamoring for more PT for him.
Maybe Miles will prove me wrong, and I would love it if he did. It does seem unlikely to me though.
He kind of does play better at the 3 spot, though.
But he plays better against weak teams, or teams missing their stars, like when Luke Walton had a good game vs. Seattle.
Oklahoma City would have been a better choice for Miles, because he would see more minutes than Sloan would give him.
Plus, then the Jazz wouldn't have to pay him $15M for four years.
Brewer, Korver, Kirilenko, and Harpring could just stick at the 2 and 3 spots.
Forget my "CJ will be way more successful than Almond" comment for a sec, even though it's true.
I agree Miles isn't a sure thing, G. But it seems the Jazz brass and Sloan agree he is worth spending $15 million on, and they see him a lot more than we do.
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