Upper Bowl Jazz Fan

CJ Miles is Changing opinions about him

// March 10th, 2010 // Player Profile

It’s been 2 weeks since a Jazz fan criticized CJ Miles’ play via Twitter.  Some people cried foul in regards to the concerned fan saying it’s not our place to criticize our favorite NBA players.  Personally, I disagree with that mentality.  Sometimes it takes us being called out (even publicly) to shock us into realizing that what we’re doing is not working.  If professional athletes are going to have Twitter accounts, they are inviting anyone and everyone to send them replies which could be anything from praise, to the harshest most racists criticisms.  Not that I’m condoning the latter…just saying that they open that door when they have a Twitter account.

Anyways, CJ’s honesty and straight-forwardness in regards to his play up to that point was refreshing.  Had he been indignant or defensive claiming that he was playing fine it would have been upsetting because clearly, up to that point in the season, he had been playing horribly.  However, he was humble and apologetic.  I’ll be honest, I’ve been critical of Miles which anyone who knows me can back up.  I feel like he has so much potential so my sentiments towards him and his game are more related to feeling like he’s not applying himself and living up to his potential.  After reading his response, I felt like I had been overly harsh towards his play.

Since then, take a look at his stats:

Min: 20/game

FG: 60%

3P: 62%

FT: 83%

PTS: 12

ST: 1

AST: 1

REB: 2

TO: 1

Those are impressive numbers for anyone.  Considering that before the Twitter incident, CJ had been shooting 40% from the floor and 30% from long range, that’s a massive jump.

There are still some downsides though.  CJ’s defense leaves a lot to desire.  He still fouls nearly uncontrollably.  He averages about 5 fouls per-40 minutes.  So if he was playing starting minutes he would be fouling out on many occasions.  Just to compare, Wesley Matthews who’s been getting more minutes than CJ, as of late, but is fouling at half the rate and only accruing less than 3 fouls per-40 minutes.

And (not trying to be a downer, just looking at both sides) CJ is still mostly a one trick pony despite having an array of basketball skills.  He can create shots and handle the ball decently but only averages just over 1 assist per game and 1 turnover making his assist/turnover ratio to be extremely poor.  He doesn’t do well setting up his teammates evidenced by his low assist numbers.  Deron Williams is a better rebounder despite playing the position (PG) that puts him farthest away from the basket.

That being said, I’m excited for CJ Miles!  He’s playing so much better lately.  I hope he keeps it up.  I still feel like he can do so much more…especially on defense.  Playing great offensively without improving your defense works if you play for the Warriors, Suns, or Knicks (and even then it doesn’t really “work”).  However, Matthews has proved that being a good defender will get you minutes and from there your offense will grow.  CJ Miles is turning over a new leaf and changing some opinions about him.  Have I become a CJ fan?  Well…let’s just say I’m optimistically fickle.