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Why Andre Miller Makes the Sacramento Kings Better

By Nathan Grubel

Jan 25, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Washington Wizards guard Andre Miller (24) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Washington Wizards guard Andre Miller (24) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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When the Sacramento Kings were thinking about making a move at the NBA‘s trade deadline this season, I’m sure new head coach George Karl had some input on any decisions.

Karl is a coach that loves consistency and guys who understand the game at a high level.

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It’s for these reasons that I’m sure the Kings went after point guard Andre Miller. The team completed the deal for the veteran, and he’s been getting much more playing time than he was with the Washington Wizards.

For the Kings, Miller is averaging 21.7 minutes per game, a huge difference from his 12.4 minutes per game average in Washington. Karl is giving him all of the playing time he can handle because he trusts Miller. After all, he had previously coached him when he was in charge of the Denver Nuggets.

What is it that makes Miller so much better than other backup point guards though?

Even though Miller is old, he’s been around the game a long time, and knows what it takes to win at a high level.

The Kings are filled with younger players who aren’t completely sure how to prepare game after game in order to compete at the highest level possible. Young guys don’t really get that when they first come into the league. Rather, they need a leader in the locker room who has been in high pressure situations before and knows what to do and how to do it.

Miller is that player. He’s played for seven different teams in the league over his career of 15 years. There’s no denying that Miller has the chance to really impart some knowledge on the more inexperienced players. Even center DeMarcus Cousins could really benefit from having Miller around in terms of what he can learn about being a leader and being prepared for every game in the season, not just the ones that everyone tends to circle on the calendar against the big teams.

Miller doesn’t do anything different whether he’s going up against a top team or one that’s going to be in the lottery. Miller takes the season game by game, something that Cousins needs to start doing if he really wants to be considered the NBA’s best big man.

Too often do we find Cousins taking plays off, or not taking some games seriously because of the competition. Miller is the kind of player that will go in and fix that issue, as he’s not afraid to not only lead by example, but speak his mind when he sees fit. Cousins needs someone around who isn’t afraid to stand up to him, and when you’ve been around the league as long as Miller has, there really isn’t anyone you fear anymore. You’ve seen it all, and you’re ready for the next challenge ahead.

On the court, Miller is exactly the kind of teacher the Kings needed in terms of a player. Sure, Karl is going to have his moments showing this team how to play better on both ends of the floor, but Miller is actually out there with the players, and there may not be a steadier point guard in the league than Miller.

He’s not going to put up the flashiest numbers, especially because of how limited he can be at times due to his age, but Miller is different than a lot of the other Sacramento players because he doesn’t take a bad shot. Ever.

Miller is one of the craftiest players in the league, someone who knows how to take advantage of the defense and set up his teammates or even himself perfectly. Miller puts the guys around him in position to succeed because of his pass-first mentality.

Cousins has never played with a point guard like Miller, and he could really benefit from someone who can get him the ball in the post. Cousins has had to create a lot of his own offense because he hasn’t had a point guard who’s known as a great distributor. When Miller is on the floor, however, that changes completely.

Volume shooters like Rudy Gay can also benefit from Miller’s passing ability, as it doesn’t take long for him to figure out where his teammates shoot the best from. Miller isn’t afraid to put the ball where it needs to go.

To Miller’s credit, he’s also very knowledgable about how an NBA offense is run efficiently. Miller can really teach his teammates how to play the game much differently than just chucking up shots and praying they go in. There’s no limit to what Miller can show the other Kings players, hence why his nickname is “the Professor.”

Both on and off the court, there really isn’t a better guy to have on the roster than Miller. He’s not a star anymore by any means, but he knows how to play the game the right way, and is one of the best mentors a team could ask for. The Kings are a better team with him because of the experience and knowledge he brings to the table.

The Miller acquisition was one of the best moves the Kings could’ve made at the deadline. Well done, Sacramento.

*Statistics courtesy of Basketball-Reference.

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