Pacers Player Review: C.J. Miles was steady regardless of role

No matter what he was asked to do, C.J. Miles was ready for anything this season for the Indiana Pacers.

C.J. Miles is a lot like a potato. The spud ain’t much in the way of a main course, but it’s versatile enough to be one hell of a side dish. Whether baked, mashed, fried, hashed or made into soup, when was the last time someone complained about potatoes ruining a meal? Right, never, because they don’t. Hence, the reason it was so fitting when Miles received a potato from a congratulatory fan.

Miles’ box score rarely stood out this season — he scored 20 or more points just six times. But he remained a vital player for the Indiana Pacers because his skill set was so desperately needed. He brought consistent outside shooting on a team starved for perimeter scoring and was creative enough off the bounce to be more than a spot-up threat. Defensively, he did what he could, which is all you can ask from Miles. But his size, deceptive athleticism, and hot hand routinely benefited Indiana…

… Especially when utilized in the proper fashion. Miles started 29 games this season out of the 76 in which he appeared, sharing starting duties with the aged Monta Ellis and up-and-coming Glenn Robinson III. Miles’ first start came in a road loss to Philadelphia on November 11 (scoring 13 points) but wasn’t made a regular starter until a January 23 loss to the New York Knicks (remember that put-back dunk?). He would start 26 of the next 29 games, averaging 11 points while shooting 41.2 percent from downtown.

More from 8 Points, 9 Seconds

Miles isn’t the long-term answer at shooting guard for the Pacers, but he was the best option this season, which makes his scattershot role all the more flummoxing. Indiana outscored opponents by 7.7 points per 100 possessions when Miles played alongside the usual starters, a unit that boasted an offensive rating of 111.5, the best of all the starting lineups. With Monta as a starter, the Pacers merely held water with a net rating of -0.2.

Guess who started more games.

And while Ellis made his dissatisfaction known upon becoming sixth man, Miles never made a peep about his role. When asked if he preferred to start or come off the bench, Miles always said that decision was up to the coaches, and that he would do his best to help the team win however they saw fit. And just as Miles played well as a starter, he was also a worthy scorer with the reserves. Of his 10 highest scoring games this year, seven occurred as a backup.

Miles is a selfless player who accepts his role and simply wants to win. The Pacers could stand to use a few more just like him.

Significant Digits

41.3 percentage from 3-point range

This was a career year for Miles from behind the 3-point line, cracking 40 percent for the first time. Once the definition of a streaky shooter, Miles turned into a knockdown threat in his third year with Indiana. The reason for his surge in production from downtown stems from being better prepared to play a physical role after missing 16 games a season ago.

$8.7 Million Cap Hold

Miles will likely decline his $4.7 million player option to become an unrestricted free agent. His $8.7 million cap hold is a tricky number for the Pacers, who will enter perhaps the most crucial offseason in franchise history. Paul George is tired of playing for a fringe playoff team and the roster needs significant upgrades to entice him to re-sign.

While Miles has earned a pay raise, Indiana might not be the team to give him the cash. They must first re-sign Jeff Teague, who will command upwards of $20 million, and find ways to dump Ellis and/or Al Jefferson, who are unplayable and on hefty contracts. Doing so could clear enough cap room to sign another max player to pair alongside George, but that would also mean no cash left to re-sign Miles.

It’s a tricky situation for the Pacers and new team president Kevin Pritchard. To acquire more shooting and roster versatility, they may have to depart with one of the few players they have who already does just that.

C.J. Miles’ Season Summed up in One Archer GIF

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If you followed the Indiana Pacers, you needed a sense of humor. Laugh so you don’t cry. And what’s funnier than Archer? Nothing. Nothing is the answer.

Sweatin’ Bullets

Sweatin’ Bullets is an 8p9s tradition started by Jonny Auping in which we offer standalone facts, observations, and commentary, often devoid of context or fairness.

Miles ranked fourth in 3-point percentage among players who made at least 400 attempts from long range, two spots higher than Steph Curry. Put Miles in the Hall of Fame, now? Duh.

Miles had a TS% of 59.2, the same as Klay Thompson and the best among the Pacers who attempted at least eight field goals a game. I look forward to when the team retires his number.

Miles attempted 42.4 percent of Indiana’s 3-pointers while he was on the court, the third-best mark in the league bested only by Troy Daniels and Mirza Teletovic.

One Key Question

Was this season a fluke?

The situation: Miles put up career shooting numbers this season after earning a reputation as an inconsistent scorer. Was his standout year the product of a veteran sharpening his game, or a convenient way to score a bigger contract?

Best case scenario: Whether Miles returns to the Pacers or moves to another team, his best role is likely that of a sharpshooter off the bench. Though he was admirable as a starter for Indiana, he was never going to be a long-term answer. His ideal situation would be playing productive minutes off the bench for another playoff team. Washington’s paltry bench could certainly use his offense, and the Houston Rockets will never say no to a 40 percent 3-point shooter.

Worst case scenario: Miles deserves better than playing out his prime for a bad team on an overstuffed contract. The Brooklyn Nets are tired of surrendering top draft picks to Boston and desperate for proven talent. An overpay for Miles isn’t a certainty, but it wouldn’t be a surprise, either.

Next: Celtics win the first pick of the draft. Now what?

Prediction: Miles is a smart player. When asked about his impending free agency, he said he’d look at each opportunity on a case-by-case basis. Translation, he wants to get paid, but he wants to win. Look for Miles to wind up on another playoff team elsewhere in the league, contributing in a fashion similar to his stint with the Pacers.