What Does The Miles Signing Mean?

Posted by James Seaman on July 28, 2008

 
‘More Mileage’ (Gus Ruelas – Associated Press)

A week ago Friday, sitting in a watering hole in New Orleans, reflecting on another week of summer school with my fellow teachers, I received the following text message from my brother: OKC giving Miles 4 mil a year. The offer tendered to the gifted but relatively unproven Miles came as a surprise. A larger shock wave hit when the Jazz matched the offer, apparently committing to Miles for the next several years.

What did the Utah brain trust have in mind when they made the move to keep Miles? The Texas native essentially lost his spot in the rotation when the Jazz traded for Kyle Korver in December. So why give Miles money that could eventually be added to the Save Boozer fund? Perhaps the Jazz intend to deal Miles, not wanting to find themselves empty handed when CJ walks out the door. Or maybe the Jazz really do plan to make Miles a significant part of their future.

Assuming the Jazz keep Miles, they practically have an obligation to play him. Otherwise, they are wasting money. This thinking violates the very principals by which Jerry Sloan runs his team. Sloan would give playing time to a short order cook if he thought the man would hustle, defend, and run the offense. But Miles proved he could produce in the weeks before the Korver trade, so more playing time may benefit the team.

Like several of his teammates, Miles can conceivably play at the two or the three spot. If CJ lights it up from the perimeter this year, Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver, and Andre Kirilenko could all see their minutes trimmed slightly. Looking toward the future, however, the investment in Miles might say more about Matt Harpring than anyone.

Sure to be remembered as one of the most beloved Jazz players in recent history, Harpring does not factor into the franchise’s long term plan. Unfortunately, Harpring will be impossible to replace. He is a battering ram, a workhorse, linebacker. Sometimes you watch Harpring and conclude that he belongs somewhere between the hash marks on a frozen field in Green Bay, Cleveland, or Buffalo. Then you see him curl at the elbow, catch and shoot in a single motion, and snap the net with such precision that you’re sure the hardwood is the only place Matt Harpring was ever meant to be.

Harpring squeezes the absolute maximum out of his body, paying a price in bruises and floor burns. Yet his body will ultimately fail him, as it must eventually fail every athlete. When that happens, the Jazz may recall the Miles signing with satisfaction.

3 Comments

jc on July 28, 2008 said:

matt harpring played football you know….

… most overused topic by every utah sportscaster/sports-know-it-all

John M and Kathy M on July 29, 2008 said:

A lot of women in the crowd will jeer but Korver should never have been brought in. C.J. could have taken the spot Korver occupied last year and likely developed a more complete game. The sky is the limit for this gifted athlete.

Jeffrey on July 29, 2008 said:

John and Kathy………are you kidding me!! Korver should have never been brought in?….do you guys know basketball at all? Do you even watch the Jazz games? Miles is horrible on defense, and horrible around the hoop and horrible at getting into shape and being dedicated. If anything, the Jazz just made the dumbest decision since signing Ostertag. Sure Miles can make the 3. Sure he can dunk if he’s all by himself. But ball control definitely is not a strong point. Either is physical strength. The cocky young kid is a twig and gets man-handled by any defender. Hence the heavy launching of the three ball. Korver was playing amazing ball for the 76ers, and yes, he has been in a slump the last several weeks of the season, but he is 1000X better from his game, his experience, his locker room presence, his ability to stretch the floor, and his ability to bring more women to the ESA, then Miles will ever be or do. Miles spent the first 2 years of his NBA career riding the bench, screwing up interviews, spending his off season playing video games and playing horrible in the D-League. So tell me…..why the hell would we give him that much money to ride the bench? Ditch him. Ditch Collins. And ditch the pathetic attempt to bring in experience in Brevan Knight.

Let’s let Brewer, Korver, Price, and Almond step up along side Williams and off the bench. Why do we need Miles or Knight? There’s no reason whatsoever. No reason.

Leave Your Comment

How do I get an avatar for my comments?
It is easy and completely free. Just go to Gravatar.com and sign-up with your email address. Gravatar is globally recognized, so your avatar will show on every Gravatar-enabled website or blog.