| What if Randolph and Miles Were Not the Cornerstones? Authored by Billy Ray - March 19, 2005 - 1:57 pm
What does a team do if it is discovered that the two players the franchise has invested the most in turn out to be the wrong fit? Does the team still try to force the players into the Blazer mold, or does the team look to move the players and possibly take another step backward?
The Blazers may be facing this quandary in the not so distant future. Zach Randolph is facing knee surgery that could require up to six months of recovery time, and Darius Miles is still having a hard time focusing for an entire 48 minutes. Which leads to the question: should the Blazers replace the two once irreplaceable players?
Randolph has been bothered for the majority of the 46 games he has played this season. Despite only an marginal dip in statistical output in most categories, Randolph has had a much tougher time scoring on opponents and has been found floating out towards the perimeter instead of playing under the basket.
Meanwhile Miles has been suffering from the same mental lapses that plagued him as a Clipper and Cavalier. After having some of the best games of his young career as a Trail Blazer following his trade from Cleveland, Miles has reverted back to many of the same problems that caused him to be dealt three times in four years. He has been accused of not pushing himself in practice and coasting in games. A blowup with former head coach Maurice Cheeks almost prompted the Blazers to trade Miles to the Timberwolves, but the Blazers cooled on the notion. For those keeping track at home the deal on the table was Wally Szcerbiak, Ervin Johnson/Michael Olowakandi and Latrell Sprewell for Theo Ratliff, Ruben Patterson and Miles.
But since Maurice Cheeks was fired March 2nd players such as Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Travis Outlaw and Viktor Khryapa have been given extended minutes. All three players have responded well with the extended playing time. Abdur-Rahim has become the Blazers steadiest player, while Outlaw has become the most exciting and Khyrapa one of the most energetic.
But how does this affect Randolph and Miles?
Both players have been subject to heavy scrutiny, whether it is for off court transgressions or on court mistakes. Both happen to make some of the most money on the Trail Blazers, but both arguably have had a hard time proving they were worth the investment. With players such as Outlaw, and Khryapa possibly able to take Miles’ place, along with players such as Abdur-Rahim, North Carolina Freshman Marvin Williams, Brazil’s Tiago Splitter, and Spains Fran Vasquez able to step in for Randolph, would trading for more reliable players and/or replacing the players via the draft be worth the gamble?
It’s easy to see how trading Randolph or Miles would be a dangerous decision. Both are young (23) and still full of upside. But with the much publicized issues with Cheeks as well as lack of results on the floor, is it possible that the Zach Randolph and Darius Miles we see today is the same players we will see in 3 or 4 years? It is impossible to tell.
So as the Blazers current season continues to unravel, it might be interesting to gaze into the future; one full of Telfair to Outlaw passes and Khyrapa hustle. But, when looking into that future can you see Randolph and Miles fitting in? Or can you see a player via the draft? Or maybe Abdur Rahim? Or maybe you don’t see any changes at all.
Are Randolph and Miles the future?
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