Hoopinion: AJC.com: Cunningham: Brad Miller Still In Play As Center Options Dwindle

[Hawksquawk]

Say what you will about spending millions of dollars on Shaquille O'Neal to make Zaza Pachulia redundant, but at least O'Neal is on the downside of an all-time great career and is still productive in those minutes he can play. Brad Miller, on the other hand, is on the downside of a good career and not one noted for its involvement in improving a team's defense.

Michael Cunningham is all over the Hawks' continued pursuit of another big man:

The Hawks are still in the running for Brad Miller.

“There is definitely mutual interest,” agent Mark Bartelstein said today. “Where that's going to lead, it's tough to say. There are a lot of things he's looking at. Nothing has been decided.”

Boston and Miami also reportedly have been talking to Miller, but a return to Chicago is still a possibility. Bartelstein said Miller could make a decision by the end of the week.

The Hawks apparently think Miller would be a good fit in L.D.'s offense. He had been a good outside shooter for years but slipped in that area last season. So too did his defense and rebounding for that matter.

Defense and rebounding have not yet proven to be foremost among this team's concerns (see the desire for Ilgauskas) lending further, implicit credence to the team's interest in Miller, who, it should be said, could be expected to serve as an upgrade over Joe Smith.

Kwame Brown also draws a mention in the post, though as one with interest in the Hawks rather than vice-versa. Brown's last four teams (over the last three seasons) have allowed fewer points with him on the court but, combined, that's over less than 2500 minutes and Brown's teams have seen their own scoring rates decline even more with him on the floor.

As for Anthony Tolliver, he possesses some marginal stretch-four potential (he edged over 33% from beyond the arc with the Warriors last season but was less successful (natch) with the long twos), can finish at the rim, and is competent on the defensive glass.

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