Charlotte Hornets rookie Brandon Miller has put together an impressive debut campaign, even if it has flown under the radar amid flashier rookie performances.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft has steadily improved throughout the season, earning praise from Hornets head coach Steve Clifford for his high basketball IQ and ability to quickly grasp concepts.
Making an Immediate Impact
After a slow start to the year, Miller has come on strong since mid-January, averaging over 20 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal per game while shooting nearly 50/40/90 splits.
His scoring outburst has helped ignite Charlotte‘s offense, which has scored at a respectable rate with Miller on the floor compared to when he sits.
More importantly, Miller has started contributing to winning basketball. Despite the Hornets‘ struggles overall, they have gone 5-1 over their past six games. Miller has posted a positive plus-minus in that span, indicating Charlotte outscores opponents with him on the court.
His teammates also speak highly of his desire to compete and win.
Earning High Praise from His Coach
Miller‘s rapid development has caught the eye of Clifford, a coach with over 40 years of experience.
Clifford says today’s young players often lack the basketball IQ to succeed in the NBA, but Miller is an exception. The 21-year-old grasps concepts quickly and can implement adjustments from practice to games right away.
Clifford praised Miller‘s IQ by comparing it to that of past greats like Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant.
He clarified he was not comparing Miller‘s game to those of Hall of Famers, but for a rookie to receive that kind of cognitive praise is remarkable.
Leadership Beyond His Years
Miller has also taken on a leadership role on the youthful Hornets despite his rookie status.
Veterans acquired at the trade deadline like Seth Curry and Grant Williams have aided Charlotte‘s late-season turnaround, but Miller sets the tone.
He motivates teammates in practice and games by emphasizing the importance of winning. The Hornets have leaned heavily on Miller‘s production, as their offense craters when he sits.
But Miller focuses more on the team’s success rather than his stats.
Built to Succeed in the NBA
So what has allowed Miller to make such a quick transition to NBA success?
Clifford theorized that Miller‘s background, including having a father who played college football, may have ingrained high-level sports processing. Miller also credits his teammates for helping him adjust.
Additionally, Miller entered the draft as a talented scorer, but concerns about his defense and skinny frame existed. He has alleviated some of those concerns by gaining strength and weight, allowing him to handle physical defense better.
Exceeding Expectations
Miller has exceeded expectations in his first season, especially considering he slipped to No. 2 in the draft behind Victor Wembanyama.
While Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren dominate the Rookie of the Year discussion, Miller may have outperformed presumptive No. 2 pick Scoot Henderson.
Rookies can pile up empty stats on rebuilding teams. But Miller does more than score; he competes, motivates teammates, grasps concepts quickly, and contributes to winning games.
That comprehensive package bodes extremely well for his long-term development and the Hornets‘ future.
It may have flown under the radar, but Brandon Miller‘s rookie campaign signals he could develop into a franchise cornerstone in Charlotte.
For Coach Clifford, it reminds him of mentoring a young Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant over 20 years ago.
Sources:
www.cbssports.com/nba/news/brandon-miller-is-best-nba-rookie-youre-not-watching-and-heres-why-his-coach-is-making-lofty-comparisons/
www.si.com/nba/hornets/news/brandon-miller-breaks-another-hornets-rookie-record
