Although the Charlotte Hornets have the league’s longest playoff drought, the front office has done a terrific job in the NBA Draft. Between the 2020 rookie of the year LaMelo Ball and rising star Brandon Miller, Charlotte’s fanbase has two franchise players to build around for years to come. However, Miller is easing his way into the driver’s seat after a season full of excitement.
Ball may be a one-time all-star, but his injuries are costing the Hornets year after year. The former third-overall pick has missed 134 games since being drafted in 2020. That is a relatively large amount, proving Ball has been everything but available for Charlotte fans.
Conversely, Miller raised eyebrows throughout his rookie campaign. Not only did he prove that he could score, but fans also caught a peak of his competitive mentality despite being on a team at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
After a promising rookie season, Brandon Miller is making a case as the Hornet’s number-one option.
Coming out of Alabama, many fans assumed Brandon Miller was just a three-point shooter. At the time, these opinions were respectable as a high percentage of Miller’s shot attempts for the Crimson Tide came from beyond the arc.
These narratives quickly changed after one season in the NBA. Miller closed the year out, averaging 17.3 points and 4.3 rebounds while boasting impressive shooting splits.
Beyond the statistics, Miller’s skillset on both ends of the floor crushes the eye test. He moves off the ball exceptionally well and utilizes his quick feet to cover the ground defensively. These attributes became noticeable late in the season when the Hornets were eliminated from playoff contention, yet Miller competed each night regardless of the outcome.
All signs point toward Miller being the Hornets’ number-one option after next season. He has an immeasurable amount of talent and an unequaled passion for the game. The all-star discussion could be very interesting if Miller and Ball dominate, making way for Charlotte in the play-in tournament.
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