Randolph and Miles say they want out
The two forwards cite the Blazers' losing record and coach Nate McMillan's discipline style as reasons
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
JASON QUICK

TUALATIN -- Forwards Zach Randolph and Darius Miles said Tuesday what many fans and teammates already had surmised: The two highly paid players no longer know if they want to be part of the Trail Blazers organization.

The gist of Miles' and Randolph's complaints are twofold: They don't like playing on what has turned out to be the NBA's worst team; and they don't care for the discipline meted out by first-year coach Nate McMillan.

Both have privately told teammates, and McMillan, of their desires to leave, but Tuesday was the first time both went public with their feelings.

The complaints came after a draining practice and the day before the end of one of the worst seasons in Blazers history.

The Blazers (21-60) have lost 18 of 19, 33 of 38, and will finish with the NBA's worst record regardless of the outcome of their game tonight at the Rose Garden against the Phoenix Suns (53-28).

Miles, who has four years and $34 million left on his contract, said he doesn't know if he wants to be back after a season during which his health, effort and talent have been in question.

"We will have to sit down and talk," Miles said of his future.

An almost certain topic in Miles' discussions with team personnel will be his relationship with McMillan, who says he probably won't play Miles for the second consecutive game tonight.

The two never meshed as McMillan prodded Miles for more effort and production. Miles distanced himself, complaining of an unresponsive right knee that underwent minor surgery in December, and a reduced role that featured him coming off the bench.

The friction between McMillan and Miles intensified in the last month of the season. Miles was benched for missing a shootaround March 23 in Phoenix, saying he overslept, then last week he was sent home from Los Angeles after he changed into street clothes during halftime of a game against the Clippers.

Randolph, who has five years and $73.5 million remaining on his contract, showed as much frustration Tuesday as he has during his five seasons in Portland, saying he too, didn't know if he wants to remain in Portland.

"It's got a lot to do with the front office," Randolph said. "A lot to do with (general manager) John Nash, (team president) Steve Patterson, you know, they put this team together."

Randolph also alluded to what has become a tenuous relationship with McMillan. Randolph has been kicked out of a practice, late to five shootarounds, and was suspended one game after leaving the Rose Garden during the third quarter of Saturday's game.
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Beyond being disciplined for his tardiness, Randolph said he had a difficult time adjusting to McMillan's demanding, detail-oriented ways.

"(Management) thought (Maurice) Cheeks wasn't a hard coach, or didn't demand nothing, so I guess that's what the people in the front office told (McMillan)," Randolph said. "So he came in with the attitude where, I don't know, he thought he's got to be hard. Like Sarge. So it's been tough, because I ain't never had . . . I always had coach Cheeks, who is more of a players coach, and I was accustomed to his actions and ways. Now it's just a lot different."

McMillan, meanwhile, was unfazed by Miles' and Randolph's statements.

"I think they have to be honest, honest with themselves, and honest with the organization about how they feel," McMillan said. "To feel that way and keep it inside doesn't help anyone. I think they have to be honest about how they feel, their role, the direction of the club, so that we can get a feel for how we can help them."

[Edited by - djsunyc on 04-19-2006 11:59 AM]

I can't believe we tried and almost got Miles!

I see a similar situation with McMil and Larry. Details details details! Tough coaches.

Seems like the coaches are trying to take back the game.

Players don't want to be superstars anymore. They don't have a desire to become legendary by improving their games, being team players and helping their teams win championships. Instead they want the coach to leave them alone and allow them to do whatever they want.

The shame is the NBa management teams continue to give guys like this billions of dollars before they even win a playoff round and companies give them shoe contracts based on charisma. It's such a sad thing. You can't coach anyone anymore. "coach is mean, so I quit."

we will probobly trade frye for both of them

It is funny, when I addressed the Blazers on realgm, the blazers fans failed to recognize guys like miles and zach as the problem there, instead they pinned it on MO cheeks..LOL.. Mo cheeks of all people... again blaming the coach instead of the spoiled players..

Sounds familiar?

Posted by tkf:

It is funny, when I addressed the Blazers on realgm, the blazers fans failed to recognize guys like miles and zach as the problem there, instead they pinned it on MO cheeks..LOL.. Mo cheeks of all people... again blaming the coach instead of the spoiled players..

Sounds familiar?

tkf: That's what I mean when I say that fans are part of the problem. We raise an uproar about the coach, the coach gets fired. We praise the player and buy their jersey's simply because they have a nice crossover and score 20 pts. So even though they aren't helping the team, because they are providing entertainment, they get a raise for all the losing and the coach gets fired. Sooner or later you have a group of out of control players who learn that they don't have to listen because when they lose the guy who's actually sole purpose is to teach them how to win is the one who gets the axe.

i think dmiles could be a defensive STUD under lb...but he's got red flags galore.

and at this time...we don't need anymore red flags.

Posted by Nalod:

I think David Stern has a secret plan to load Zach and Miles on the knicks.

Fill the team with overpaid Malcontents, then shoot the plane out of the sky.

Insurance pays the salaries owed the families and we will likely get some serious exemptions.

The ultimate rebuild by Larry. Pricless!

The scariest thing about it is that when I read that my first thought was, "what a good idea"

Why do people hate the NBA again?

Clearly the worst league in all of sports with the most overpriced bunch of babies on "welfare" or guarenteed deals....

Its a same we couldn't have packaged Marbury and someone else for earl watson, brevin night someone with some character, we need to just get rid of the garbage, its already to late, it really is terrible loving basketball so much and watching these *******s take for granted that they have to be professional for 7 months out of the year