What are the chances Brandon Miller wins Rookie of the Year? Walker and Doug look at the past few top rookies and build the case from there. Doug fires off some takes after missing a pod, then the guys figure out “who wore it best”.
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11 Comments
First
Brandon Miller will do great. I believe his first few games will be questionable but after a slow start he has the potential to average 21.0ppg as a rookie. LaMelo, Rozier, Bridges(when playing) AND Kelly Oubre Jr. were averaging 20+ a game at one point. LaMelo is what Magic Johnson was in the 80s we're just taking what he brings for granted. LaMelo makes everyone around him better on the same level as Lebron did early in his career but we're overlooking him. Brandon Miller needs to start DAY ONE beside LaMelo and he'll average 20
Will Miles Bridges play in the preseason 🤔
This is a big season for Lamelo
If he stays healthy can change the narrative about this franchise.
Brandon Miller could benefit, heck the whole team will benefit.
Despite everything, it’s looking to be a very exciting season.
Everyone has a lot to prove.
Anthony Edwards was the real ROY period
This is my theory on why we drafted Miller and the reasons I think it was a horrible decision. I sincerely hope that I am dead wrong and that this ages poorly.
Theory, in 4 points:
1. Soon after the draft, Charlotte would be making the most important contract offer in franchise history to Lamelo Ball.
2. They did not want to upset Lamelo in any way.
3. Scoot Henderson is the better prospect, and he should have been and would have been the #2 pick for any other franchise in Charlotte's situation (not good, need a superstar).
4. They chose Brandon Miller to complement and not challenge Lamelo. It was a move to keep LaMelo comfortable and happy and to increase their chances of re-signing him without a hitch while also getting a player who can knock down the open shots that Melo will create.
There is some small amount of logic in that, meaning basically it is logical enough to allow one to reason themselves into a bad decision, which I still believe it was.
Miller IMO is a promising prospect who fits the mold of another let's not "swing for the fences" move typical of this front office. I do not think he will ever be a #1 option on offense. I do not think he will ever be a #2 option on offense. I think he ends up as an above average starter who is limited by a lack of the athleticism needed to beat guys one on one. That's not a bust at pick 11. At pick #2 in this draft… 🤦.
While it may seem to some like the safer play, I would argue that is not that either.
Prediction, (because it's fun to see if they pan out):
I think think there will be multiple players from this draft who end up better than Miller, but I'll focus on the most glaring option, Henderson.
Barring injury, I believe Scoot is going to be a stud alpha on Portland (along with the Sharpe kid) sooner rather than later, and I think he should have been the pick.
LaMelo has had injury problems, and I dont think he has that dog mentality. For the record, I love LaMelo, love his game, and I want him here, but I don't yet see that killer instict dude who will lead you to a chip. I also haven't seen him stay on the floor enough to carry a team through a season. I think we needed that Alpha, get-you-a-bucket-when-you-need-it Dude, and we had a very rare opportunity to take a big swing at it (Scoot), and we didn't.
I think Scoot would have compimented Lamelo and raised his total game by being a guy who could give Ball a break from having to be the sole engine on offense and could have gotten him several off-balll, open looks a game. Scoot can also attack the basket–today, right now–in a way that Ball likely never will. In short, he would have taken much more pressure and heat off of Ball than Miller ever will, and his current strengths fill a weakness in both LaMelo's game and the Hornet's game in general.
Scoot also would have been an instant stud replacement at PG should LaMelo miss time again, which at this point has to be a consideration.
I just think it was a weak, punk move by the organization that will be regretted, mocked and ridiculed for years to come, but–after all–that's what being a Hornets fan is all about. 😢
You do not have to look far back for an example of why drafting for position/fit is bad, especially at the top of the draft. By this logic, the Hornets would have drafted, if they had to chance, James Weissman over Lamelo in the 2020 draft as our pressing need at that time was for a center.
Ask yourself, how would you feel about that move today?'
In summary, I think the Miller pick was a punk move typical of this front office and this organization that will be regretted, soon, and for years to come.
Hope I'm wrong. Go Hornets!
If Brandon Miller win ROTY. LaMelo Ball is Magic Johnson, Brandon Miller is James Worthy
I personally like his odds to be rookie of the year, though I know he's not the favorite. I think he'll get enough playing time out the gate (24-28 minutes a night) and something like 14-20 ppg and 6-8 rebounds on 40 to 45% shooting which would be respectable on the low end and exciting on the higher side. I don't know if he will have quite the impact Paolo did, but I could see him putting up some solid numbers with open looks; probably a little bit better from the 3-point line than Paolo (he was like 29%), though nowhere near level of success at the rim in year 1. It will be interesting to see if they play him at the 4, the 3 or even at the 2 in certain lineups. I'd imagine preseason will be full of weird performances like his summer league as they try to determine where Brandon works best, but I think they will narrow his role down a bit when the season starts and having a point guard to continually set him up will benefit Brandon greatly. I think he's a lock for rookie first team, if not the ROY outright, but bro I think its a big deal that we can even dream about him being that good when Chet and Victor are out there.
Nick Smith Jr & Amari Bailey have games better suited for the NBA not mention ROTY honours.. I don't think Bradon Miller will be very good, i'm not convinced he can even be a consistent starter..
I'll be the odd man out and say I easily see Brandon Miller being the ROTY, the guy simply has versatility just like every other ROTY candidate except he should be the best shooter. I also find it hard to believe that with no Bridges for preseason and the first 10 games no way Clifford doesnt actually load manage Gordon's minutes if this team is healthy.
The irony is that Walker talked circles around Haze when he was on Locked on NBA lol it was like Haze just smoked a bowl and Walker shotgunned a red bull 😂