Darius Miles

[TheLegend]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)—The Charlotte Bobcats will bring veteran forward Darius Miles(notes) to training camp with a non-guaranteed contract as he attempts another comeback from a serious knee injury.

General manager Rod Higgins said Friday the former No. 3 overall draft pick will get a chance with after participating in offseason workouts and summer-league practices with Charlotte.

The 28-year-old Miles was out of the league last season and has played sparingly since microfracture knee surgery in 2006. He’s also had legal problems and served a suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

Miles could bring frontcourt depth to Charlotte, whose roster makeup remains uncertain depending on whether they trade or waive center Erick Dampier(notes), who has a voidable contract.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Ann3lShNIRWp.I2y1pKSKH28vLYF?slug=ap-bobcats-miles

Lame....

[truDUKEfan]

I think its a great low risk high reward move b/c if he is just 75% of the player he was we get a steal with getting him at the vet. min.

[ammofan]

I hope he makes it but only if he stays healthy and out of trouble. So far in his career he has always been hurt or in trouble....but maybe now he has changed. Hopefully now he's ready to turn his career around...

[Twan's Kin]

Does Miles play behind Crash at the Small Forward position? Or does someone else play behind Crash and then it's Miles?

[Plowright]

Darious Miles was at every summer league game just watching, i like that bit of dedication to the cats. He was apparantley pretty good at helping the rookies... if it pays off then its good. Just dont want him to take D Browns playing time...

[SWedd523]

Move over LeBron, Wade, and Bosh! We have McGuire, Kwame, and Darius!!!!!!!!

[DY_nasty]

What a waste of time and energy by the FO... This dude was washed up years ago. The only reason he was even brought back into the league was to cripple Portland's FA a couple of years back.

[BlockParty]

Does Miles play behind Crash at the Small Forward position? Or does someone else play behind Crash and then it's Miles?

3rd string after UPS backing up GW (assuming GW and UPS are still on the roster after next week's dust storm).

other thoughts unrelated to your question Twan's Kin....

This was hand written on the wall in Orlando when they pulled Darius out of the games, but invited him to participate as part of the team during the remainder of Summer League and offseason workouts. LB has a crush on the idea of coaching a former prodigy, really all that is at risk here is MJ's money (to keep LB happy).

Remember how bad an influence Capt Jack was going to be to our lockerroom before he arrived? Oh yeah, that's right he helped it a lot more than Radmamovich and Bell.

[teej]

really all that is at risk here is MJ's money (to keep LB happy).

With a non-guaranteed contract, it's hardly at risk.

This is all to keep LB happy with a buttload of projects.

And if Miles beats out UPS, it's a feel good story.

[Fred Williamson]

lol, our front office never fails to amaze us. This dude is DONE since 2005, didn't play a single summer league game because can barely stand on his own two feet, and we still invite him to training camp? :facepalm:

[Toocool]

lol, our front office never fails to amaze us. This dude is DONE since 2005, didn't play a single summer league game because can barely stand on his own two feet, and we still invite him to training camp? :facepalm:

Key word is that it's a non-guaranteed. Who knows, perhaps he'll be able to play some decent minutes for us. If he can't, just cut him and no harm done.

[Muttley]

It's just a summer camp invite, unless he proves he's worth more.

No big deal.

[WAM9]

It's just a summer camp invite, unless he proves he's worth more.

No big deal.

Exactly. What in the hell is the big deal? There will be many players invited to training camps all around the country that don't make the team. This is a NO RISK non guaranteed deal.

Only good can come from this.

[ND22]

Yeah nothing bad can come from this. Glad to see we are giving him a chance.

[LiquidWayno]

I love picking up the rejects and outcasts of the league. Maybe we pick up Eddy Curry next summer.

[SWedd523]

I love picking up the rejects and outcasts of the league. Maybe we pick up Eddy Curry next summer.

It would take a crane to pick Eddy Curry up.

[DY_nasty]

Would you guys rather have Derrick Brown playing decent minutes for us or Darius?

The guy is a has been that relied on nothing but his athleticism to begin with. Now that he can't walk two days in a row, whats he supposed to do? Even as a training camp invite this is a waste. I'd much rather attention be given to our own draft picks and young guys (d-leaguers) instead of washed up ex-clippers.

[dnbman]

Would you guys rather have Derrick Brown playing decent minutes for us or Darius?

The guy is a has been that relied on nothing but his athleticism to begin with. Now that he can't walk two days in a row, whats he supposed to do? Even as a training camp invite this is a waste. I'd much rather attention be given to our own draft picks and young guys (d-leaguers) instead of washed up ex-clippers.

He had a lot more talent than just freaky athleticism. He could do a little bit of everything.

As for Brown, he's an intriguing young player, but he's not so good that I don't think competing with Miles is worth a chance. We don't have any young talent that I think we need to clear the runway for.

[dvdbumpus]

I'm just glad he just has a camp invite. Who knows? Maybe he will impress and become our 3rd string SF? We'll just have to wait and see once the DUST settles :D

[LiquidWayno]

It would take a crane to pick Eddy Curry up.

HAHAHAHA, So true. As long as you know I was kidding about wanting Curry, I just know there is a good chance our team might do it haha.

[LiquidWayno]

I'm just glad he just has a camp invite. Who knows? Maybe he will impress and become our 3rd string SF? We'll just have to wait and see once the DUST settles :D

Darius as 3rd string = no more Dominic McGuire (if in fact he exists)?

[SWedd523]

Dominic McGuire

I've seen so many people talking about him yet I can't for the life of me figure out who the fuck that is?!

[rsxnova]

not needed

[WAM9]

Would you guys rather have Derrick Brown playing decent minutes for us or Darius?

The guy is a has been that relied on nothing but his athleticism to begin with. Now that he can't walk two days in a row, whats he supposed to do? Even as a training camp invite this is a waste. I'd much rather attention be given to our own draft picks and young guys (d-leaguers) instead of washed up ex-clippers.

I would personally like to have whoever is playing better and makes our team better. If that is UPS, then that is who I would want. If that is Darius, then so be it.

What is the fear of bringing him to camp? If he can't play, it will show up in camp and he will be cut. Competition is a good thing for sure. Maybe UPS has the same fears it seems that you do and maybe that motivates UPS to bring it on a more consistent basis.

Either way, I still don't see how this can be spun as anything but a good thing.

[DY_nasty]

I would personally like to have whoever is playing better and makes our team better. If that is UPS, then that is who I would want. If that is Darius, then so be it.

What is the fear of bringing him to camp? If he can't play, it will show up in camp and he will be cut. Competition is a good thing for sure. Maybe UPS has the same fears it seems that you do and maybe that motivates UPS to bring it on a more consistent basis.

Either way, I still don't see how this can be spun as anything but a good thing.
Any attention given to a washed up, gimped player who relied entirely on athleticism instead over our own young players is a complete waste of energy and time. These guys we drafted were drafted for to be developed into key players of the team - their success is just as much the team's responsibility as it is their own.

Do the Spurs try to work out Keith van Horn? Did the Thunder give Latrell Spreewell a call when Harden didn't start lighting it up out of the gates? Did Mitch call up Cedric Ceballos when Kobe needed help a few years back?

Picking up washed up players is something that backwards FOs love to do. Vin Baker in Boston, Jonathan Bender in New York... its never a good sign and it represents the complete opposite of growth.

[teej]

Picking up washed up players is something that backwards FOs love to do. Vin Baker in Boston

Um, am I missing something? Winning a ring by combining three of the best players of the generation, then coming within 5 minutes of winning a second in three years? That's backward? My God, what's forward?

[Muttley]

Um, am I missing something? Winning a ring by combining three of the best players of the generation, then coming within 5 minutes of winning a second in three years? That's backward? My God, what's forward?
Also, we're still talking about maybe possibly inviting the guy to training camp, right? To scrimmage against our starters, right? We're not talking about using him heavily in the rotation, right?

[teej]

Also, we're still talking about maybe possibly inviting the guy to training camp, right? To scrimmage against our starters, right? We're not talking about using him heavily in the rotation, right?

Exactly. Walker didn't even get an official invite, and Miles hasn't signed a contract.

If just one of those guys (McGuire, Walker, Miles, Kwame, or Sherron) makes any impact on this team in a positive way, then all the attempts were worth it.

[DY_nasty]

Um, am I missing something? Winning a ring by combining three of the best players of the generation, then coming within 5 minutes of winning a second in three years? That's backward? My God, what's forward?
Dude, don't even act like Boston wasn't a complete bottom feeder before that. Lucking into the most perfect trade scenario of all time after their backfire of a tank season... cmon man. I know I'm not the only one here with a long term memory.

[teej]

Dude, don't even act like Boston wasn't a complete bottom feeder before that. Lucking into the most perfect trade scenario of all time after their backfire of a tank season... cmon man. I know I'm not the only one here with a long term memory.

They were. But if that's lucking into a trade, then what did the Lakers do with Gasol? Does that make them backwards, too?

Any team that wins a ring has at the very least a competent front office.

[LiquidWayno]

Personally, I like the idea of non-guaranteed contracts. Worst comes to worst, our team can be in a better spot cap wise than we have in a long time.

[DY_nasty]

They were. But if that's lucking into a trade, then what did the Lakers do with Gasol? Does that make them backwards, too?

Any team that wins a ring has at the very least a competent front office.
LOL

They've got Luke Walton on one of the dumbest contracts in the league and Sasha got paid for not scoring a single point in the finals two years ago. Not only that, but they almost burned their bridges with Kobe by surrounding him one of the worst supporting casts of the last decade with Smush and Kwame. Oh yeah, didn't they trade Caron Butler for Kwame too? Sounds forward thinking.

The Lakers almost traded for Jermaine O'Neal before they got away with robbery (at the time) of the Pau Gasol deal. Both scenarios, in LA and Boston, were some of the most outrageous deals in NBA history - are you really going to say that they weren't making horrible decisions one after another up until that point? Come on... don't be that guy.

[teej]

LOL

They've got Luke Walton on one of the dumbest contracts in the league and Sasha got paid for not scoring a single point in the finals two years ago. Not only that, but they almost burned their bridges with Kobe by surrounding him one of the worst supporting casts of the last decade with Smush and Kwame. Oh yeah, didn't they trade Caron Butler for Kwame too? Sounds forward thinking.

The Lakers almost traded for Jermaine O'Neal before they got away with robbery (at the time) of the Pau Gasol deal. Both scenarios, in LA and Boston, were some of the most outrageous deals in NBA history - are you really going to say that they weren't making horrible decisions one after another up until that point? Come on... don't be that guy.

No, you're actually making my point for me.

Every front office screws up. A lot. Even San Antonio (Jefferson is the most recent example). No matter how forward thinking you are, you're still going to royally fuck up. The most forward thinking FO's in the League right now (OKC, PDX, Houston, and probably Utah) have a combined zero rings since their GM's took over. That will probably change in OKC, but the rest have an uphill battle. Sometimes being traditional helps. Luck matters more than anything.

[DY_nasty]

No, you're actually making my point for me.

Every front office screws up. A lot. Even San Antonio (Jefferson is the most recent example). No matter how forward thinking you are, you're still going to royally fuck up. The most forward thinking FO's in the League right now (OKC, PDX, Houston, and probably Utah) have a combined zero rings since their GM's took over. That will probably change in OKC, but the rest have an uphill battle. Sometimes being traditional helps. Luck matters more than anything.
Richard Jefferson may not have panned out, but at least he was an actual relevant player at the time he got his contract. His signing has nothing to do with anything. And even then, rings in the NBA of all sports... Only how many teams have won again? Its pretty lopsided. Its ridiculously lopsided. If you can get a run of several 50 win seasons in this broken league then you're successful.

PHX will never do anything because of their owner btw.

Still, lucking into a ring like Boston did isn't anything thats going to happen regularly. Two huge trades at once to give a team the biggest turnaround in NBA history. It doesn't happen all the time, and no one should walk around with their hands held out hoping that a top 5 big falls out of the sky either.

And what point are you talking about? I don't even... what?

[teej]

And what point are you talking about? I don't even... what?

My point is that every team that wins has multiple things fall their way. There is just as much luck as skill. What if Gasol didn't get traded to the Lakers? What if Boston didn't trade for Garnett, just Allen? What if San Antonio didn't draft Tony Parker? What if Shaq stayed in LA?

If those things didn't happen, then every champ since the 'Cats came into existance would be different. That's one transaction. I can find a whole bunch of other transactions that would say the same thing for each team.

If the Bobcats find a gem in the rough, that's luck. But it's far better odds to try with 5 of them than none. It's a no-risk scenario. What's the absolute worst that could happen? Something goes bad with all 5 and the Bobcats cut them with NO FINANCIAL LOSS. And experience added.

Here's an analogy. Say I told you there were 50 free lottery cards on the street, and you pick 5 for free. If you pick 1 card that has a $50 prize, and 4 that lose, you win $50 for the retail cost of that one card that's a winner. The other four are free. You'd do that deal, wouldn't you? There's no assurance you win, but no downside if you lose.

[DY_nasty]

My point is that every team that wins has multiple things fall their way. There is just as much luck as skill. What if Gasol didn't get traded to the Lakers? What if Boston didn't trade for Garnett, just Allen? What if San Antonio didn't draft Tony Parker? What if Shaq stayed in LA?

If those things didn't happen, then every champ since the 'Cats came into existance would be different. That's one transaction. I can find a whole bunch of other transactions that would say the same thing for each team.

If the Bobcats find a gem in the rough, that's luck. But it's far better odds to try with 5 of them than none. It's a no-risk scenario. What's the absolute worst that could happen? Something goes bad with all 5 and the Bobcats cut them with NO FINANCIAL LOSS. And experience added.

Here's an analogy. Say I told you there were 50 free lottery cards on the street, and you pick 5 for free. If you pick 1 card that has a $50 prize, and 4 that lose, you win $50 for the retail cost of that one card that's a winner. The other four are free. You'd do that deal, wouldn't you? There's no assurance you win, but no downside if you lose.What does that have to do with MY point of how pointless it is to give a washed up, gimped player who never had any substantial skills attention over a team's own projects/rookies?

Does anyone really think Darius Miles is going to somehow gain the ability to play basketball for two days in a row again? He's a waste of time for everyone, from to the coaching staff down to the towel boys.

[LiquidWayno]

Word Teej. Let's get Iverson & Stevie Franchise while we are at it. Just kidding on the last part....I do not want to restart the A.I. debate.

[teej]

What does that have to do with MY point of how pointless it is to give a washed up, gimped player who never had any substantial skills attention over a team's own projects/rookies?

Does anyone really think Darius Miles is going to somehow gain the ability to play basketball for two days in a row again? He's a waste of time for everyone, from to the coaching staff down to the towel boys.

Darius Miles is like on of the lottery tickets. Just like a lottery ticket, there's virtually no chance he works out. But, since he's a free ticket, you still take it.

He's not going to get attention over the projects or rookies. He's merely showing up to be a body for scrimmages who, if he impresses, will have a shot to make the team. Nothing more. No one expects him to be an All-star, starter or even 2nd guy off the bench. But this team is hardly full of depth. What's the downside?

[DY_nasty]

Darius Miles is like on of the lottery tickets. Just like a lottery ticket, there's virtually no chance he works out. But, since he's a free ticket, you still take it.

He's not going to get attention over the projects or rookies. He's merely showing up to be a body for scrimmages who, if he impresses, will have a shot to make the team. Nothing more. No one expects him to be an All-star, starter or even 2nd guy off the bench. But this team is hardly full of depth. What's the downside?
I'm absolutely positive that a D-leaguer who can walk is being cheated out of a spot by Darius Miles.

[Plowright]

Not really cause Darious is a veteren, so even though the skill set may not be that much better, he is a veteren, hes been there before and done that

[WAM9]

Does anyone really think Darius Miles is going to somehow gain the ability to play basketball for two days in a row again?

I don't know and neither does anyone else. That is the point of his training camp invite.

Are you really arguing that by Darius being invited, we are keeping some D-leaguer from coming to camp? How many guys do you think are going to make the team that weren't on our roster already, drafted, or signed as a guaranteed free agent? Probably none. Maybe 1. What do you have against Miles competing for that spot?

By the way, I don't really expect him to make the roster but if he shows the coaches that he can contribute, then why not?

[DY_nasty]

I don't know and neither does anyone else. That is the point of his training camp invite.

Are you really arguing that by Darius being invited, we are keeping some D-leaguer from coming to camp? How many guys do you think are going to make the team that weren't on our roster already, drafted, or signed as a guaranteed free agent? Probably none. Maybe 1. What do you have against Miles competing for that spot?

By the way, I don't really expect him to make the roster but if he shows the coaches that he can contribute, then why not?
Would I rather have a D-Leaguer, a young player (Who can play basketball two days in a row) and has actually been in a good basketball environment in our training camp or a washed up player who only played in Memphis to screw Portland's FA plans?

Its a waste of time. Nothing good will come of it. At least D-leaguers are starting to show a habit of succeeding when given a shot under the right circumstances. Miles can't walk.

Even in a training camp scrimmage scenario, I don't even want coaches to look at him. Its a waste of their time as their energy could be put to much better use elsewhere.

[DY_nasty]

Not really cause Darious is a veteren, so even though the skill set may not be that much better, he is a veteren, hes been there before and done that
You can be a veteran and still suck.

[Toocool]

You can be a veteran and still suck.

Case no.1 Tyson Chandler
Case no.2 Boris Diaw
Case no.3 Larry Hughes

[spectre]

So much angst over someone who probably won't even make the team, or at worst gets in on a vet min contract. If LB wants him then he should go for it. If he does make the team his main job will most likely be trying to look the best out of the DNP-CD group.

Has anyone ever made the team in training camp under the current group yet?

[dav7z]

I don't know and neither does anyone else. That is the point of his training camp invite.

Are you really arguing that by Darius being invited, we are keeping some D-leaguer from coming to camp? How many guys do you think are going to make the team that weren't on our roster already, drafted, or signed as a guaranteed free agent? Probably none. Maybe 1. What do you have against Miles competing for that spot?

By the way, I don't really expect him to make the roster but if he shows the coaches that he can contribute, then why not?


Wam9 it can't hurt . Miles only has a chance to make the team if we end up short at p/f [ Moveing Diaw ] Lary Brown isn't stupid if Miles can't contribute Brown will not use him. Whats with taking a traing camp spot hell Brown can bring in a 100 D leaguers if he wants to. Its not like Miles is going to make a differance all as to who gets a invite. I trust Brown to make the best desision for the team . If that happened to be Miles getting a spot so be it. Brown just took us to the playoffs last year Why all the doubt about him now? Its not one person on this board . May be not in all the NBA better quilifyed to assess talent than Brown , So why are we judging him now on such a small matter.

[WAM9]

Miles can't walk.

Even in a training camp scrimmage scenario, I don't even want coaches to look at him. Its a waste of their time as their energy could be put to much better use elsewhere.

Really? I think you underestimate our coaches. First you accuse them of bringing in a crippled guy and then that they can't look at other players because they are so distracted by that same crippled guy. Really? Is that what you think about our coaches?

[DY_nasty]

Really? I think you underestimate our coaches. First you accuse them of bringing in a crippled guy and then that they can't look at other players because they are so distracted by that same crippled guy. Really? Is that what you think about our coaches?
First off, Miles can't walk.

And I'm not taking shots at the coaching staff. Lets say that training camp is a garage and we only have so many mechanics (coaches) working - if we bring in a piece of junk (miles) to see if he can be turned into something of value, it may work out. However, at the same time they won't be able to divert attention to projects that aren't complete junk.

Yes, its just training camp and a guy like Ishmail Muhammed has almost zero chance of making the team. Still, he and other young guys/d-leaguers are actually healthy and young enough to warrant any investment in the form of time in front of an NBA coaching staff.

Would an obese, middle-aged man be allowed to NC State's open tryouts? No. Why should a gimped player who's already been labeled by the entire league as 'washed up' be allowed any time at all?

[BobCatsFanInTx]

First off, Miles can't walk.

And I'm not taking shots at the coaching staff. Lets say that training camp is a garage and we only have so many mechanics (coaches) working - if we bring in a piece of junk (miles) to see if he can be turned into something of value, it may work out. However, at the same time they won't be able to divert attention to projects that aren't complete junk.

Yes, its just training camp and a guy like Ishmail Muhammed has almost zero chance of making the team. Still, he and other young guys/d-leaguers are actually healthy and young enough to warrant any investment in the form of time in front of an NBA coaching staff.

Would an obese, middle-aged man be allowed to NC State's open tryouts? No. Why should a gimped player who's already been labeled by the entire league as 'washed up' be allowed any time at all?It'll be pretty funny coming back to this thread if Miles makes the team and ends up being a valuable addition to it. ;)

[DY_nasty]

It'll be pretty funny coming back to this thread if Miles makes the team and ends up being a valuable addition to it. ;)
You don't even believe that lol

But I'll be the bad guy again, sure. Also, I've been lurking this forum for a long, long time and there has been PLENTY of dumb shit thrown around by the regulars in the past... feel free to take a trip in the wayback machine.

With all the back to backs the Bobcats have this year, Darius Miles being a valuable addition to this team is almost impossible.

Does anyone even remember the last time he played a good game? Serious question. This is just plain comical how you guys defend this move of all things but flip out when we don't trade Dampier and Diop for Kobe, Bynum, and 1st round picks for the next 3 years. Its little stuff like this that let you know that the FO has no clue what to do with all its free time in the summer.

[SWedd523]

Dy you are so NASTY!!!

See what I did there?




I support the Kwame signing--we need Center depth
I support the Dampier trade--we swung for the fences
I DO NOT support the possible Miles signing--he's a bum


That is all.

[TattoodCats4life]

I'm going to say this...

Last year we all got on brown about playing Steve Graham a lot behind Wallace, but he did make an impact by making sure wallace could at least spend 5 minutes off the court on occasion.

This year with Wallace hopefully sticking at 3 more than 4, UPS playing next at 3 big/4 small in the second unit, and having Miles play whenever it was needed might be good. We have a good 2/3/4 but if we kill our starters then we're not going anywhere.

I figure larry will bring UPS in the play 3 when wallace breaks, then wallace comes in at 2 (yes that's right, he can play 1-4 actually and one night he did start at the 1 because we actually were so injured that if one more player couldn't play we would have forfeited) while UPS plays 3...then ups/GW slide to 3/4 switching as best for the defense, and Jax comes in while TT rests... but Darius can come in for the 5-10 minutes to make sure the fouls aren't a problem too.

Oh and vet min players (especially non-guaranteed) are great to toss in as trade fodder to make salaries work, then the other team waives them :)