May
05
The More Dre Changes, The More He Stays The Same
By caseyholdahl Posted in: AndreMiller, Blazers
Andre Miller doesn't care much for change.
For example, when asked about how he plans on spending his offseason, Dre noted he would "do the same things he's been doing", a regiment that includes "sitting around," lifting no weights, doing no cardiovascular training and eating "
hamburgers, hot links on the Fourth of July."
And then there's his approach to contract negotiations. Since the third and final year of Miller's contract is a team option, the Trail Blazers can choose to cut one of the NBA's all-time assist leaders if they so choose. One might assume that would spur Andre to lobby on his own behalf for another season in Portland, or at the very least, bring the issue up for discussion. But that's not Andre's way. He's always been the kind of guy who let's his play do the talking, and he's not about to change now, even with millions of dollars at risk.
"That would be nice," said Miller when asked up whether he wants the Trail Blazers to exercise their team option, "but it's a business. I'm past the point of proving myself to people. I've done that enough. The main thing is I hope guys improve. I've been a leader, I lead by example and I let my play speak for itself."
And even in those rare occasions in which Andre does change, he's really just staying the same. He showed more emotion, both on the court and the bench, in one month of the 2010-11 season than he did in all of 2009-10, giving his teammates and his fans a glimpse of a different Andre Miller. Though when asked if he had opened up at all this season, Dre insisted he was simply staying the course.
"I've stuck to the same routine," said Miller. "With time that happens and that's one thing I tried to establish when I got here is personalities, to open up, is a timing thing."
Some might call it stubborn, but you can't argue with the results. Miller's offseason workouts of chillin' in SoCal and eating the occasional processed meat-food to celebrate our nation's independence might not make it into the next issue of Men's Health, but the man hasn't missed a game due to injury in over eight years. He's made millions playing in the NBA, so his reluctance to toot his own horn in the name of financial gains seems to have worked out just fine. And even though he might have gotten off to a rocky start with his teammates and the Trail Blazers fan base in his first season in Portland, Miller is now beloved by both groups.
It's common after the season is over to focus on the things that should have been done differently, and ever year it doesn't seem to make a bit of difference, so maybe it's time we follow Andre's approach. After all, refusing change has provided Miller excellent health and uncommon wealth, not to mention the respect and admiration of his peers.