Tuesday in a radio interview in Portland, Andre Miller said he was looking forward to returning to some of his “old school” ways; passing, cutting, moving without the ball. These are things that happen in an effective half court offense, but things that didn’t happen very often while Miller was wearing a Sixers uniform. The Sixers like to get out on the fastbreak and did that well with Miller at the helm. Portland, while averaging two more points than the Sixers last season, walks the ball up the floor and run more halfcourt sets.

This got me thinking about the abundance of concern people (myself included) have expressed about Lou Williams, a natural two guard, running the point come the fall. As it turns out, that might be much ado about nothing. Here is why.

Miller is a traditional point guard. He is an extension of the coach on the floor. But when the Sixers traded Allen Iverson to Denver, receiving Miller and Joe Smith in return, they needed to make up for lost offense. Miller never abandoned his dribbling and passing skills, but he most definitely became a scorer and one the team relied heavily on in his two-and-a-half years as a Sixer.

Prior to his first full season with the Sixers, Miller attempted more than 1000 field goals only once. It was his third year in the league when he was with Cleveland. This past year, Miller attempted 1,041 shots and the year before that 1,156. Both years he was the team’s second leading scorer behind Andre Iguodala, and his scoring averages were the highest he had posted since his third year in the NBA. Miller was a scoring point guard these past couple seasons and many wanted him back.

Instead, the Sixers are offering fans Williams who, dare I say, is a scoring point guard. The past two seasons Williams averaged 23.5 minutes per game while Miller averaged 36.5. Here is the question? In 13 more minutes a night can Williams get 3.5 more assists and four more points?

Let’s do the math. One possession can be 24 seconds or less. There are 32.5 possessions in 13 minutes. The opposition will get around half of those, leaving Williams with 16 possessions to score or register an assist. If he makes that happen in those possessions he equals Miller’s points and assists. That is hardly an unreasonable goal.

What will likely be Williams’ toughest number to match of his predecessor are turnovers. Miller turned the ball over 199 times last year. Williams had 151, but Miller played 1000 more minutes.

Williams may never see the floor as well as Miller did, but looking at what the Sixers asked from the point guard the past couple years, the argument can be made that Williams is better suited for the job so long as he can do his thing facing starting talent as opposed to back-ups!

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I can see where she is coming from but I don't think Lou will play as much as Miller did.