Andre Miller has been in Portland for more than a week, playing pickup games with his new teammates and working out at the Trail Blazers' training facility.
His first look at the scene gives him optimism for the upcoming season as the Blazers await the Sept. 29 start of training camp. "There's definitely a lot of talent," said Miller, who signed a three-year, $21.8 million free-agent contract with Portland this summer after playing for Philadelphia last season. "They did well by winning 54 games and tying for the division title last year without me. Hopefully, I can add to that. I don't want to take anything away from the team; just add to it."
Miller, 33, has been a starter through his entire NBA career, but the 12th-year veteran faces competition from incumbent point guard Steve Blake.
"I'd like to say I'll be the starter, but nothing is a given," Miller said. "That's the coach's decision. I can't control that. (Blake) has earned (the starting job) by being here and helping the team win... We'll see what happens when training camp starts."
Miller has never played on a team that advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs.
"It's a lot of motivation for me to get beyond (the first round)," he said. "These guys had a taste of the playoffs last year. If the guys can stay healthy -- and for the most part, they did last year -- we'll get to the playoffs, and then anything can happen."
