Former All-Star is on board with Hornets’ Brandon Miller selection

Heading into the NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets fanbase was split on who the team should select with their second overall pick. Ultimately, Brandon Miller heard his name called for the Hornets, as the Alabama Crimson Tide product became the second name off the board on June 23.

According to former All-Star point guard Gilbert Arenas, who was speaking on a June 25 episode of ‘Gil’s Arena,’ Charlotte’s decision to select Miller was right.  Arenas cited Miller’s potential fit alongside LaMelo Ball and his positional versatility on both sides of the ball as his reasons why the Hornets were right not to go with Scoot Henderson.

"“The reason is he’s six-nine, so he can play the two and the three,” Arenas said. “He’s like a Paul he’s actually, his game is Paul George’s game. Right. He’s a very, very high-level score, scores very easily. So if you’re gonna, you know, if had to pick the two, scoop seems more NBA-ready since he’s been in the system.But when you’re talking about, like, I already have LaMello. Do I need a six-four guard? And that’s all he can play is shooting guard. I’d rather take the six-nine. Shooting guard or three guard or the small four? I can shift the same guy and put them at the two and three. Right. So when you’re talking about just upside, I’ll take the bigger of the two.”"

Brandon Miller, 20, played in 37 games for the Crimson Tide last season, averaging 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 43% from the field and 38.4% from deep. Now, the versatile wing will be tasked with continuing to develop his game as he looks to justify being the second-overall selection ahead of Scoot Henderson.

Since being drafted, Miller has been hitting all the right notes, even going as far as to claim the Hornets could potentially make the NBA Finals next season.

"“I see the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA Finals next year. Hopefully we get that big trophy at the end,” Miller told  Ashley Stroehlein of WCNC Charlotte."

Was Miller’s claim wild? Absolutely. Should we love the bravado and confidence? 100%.

Now, the spotlight will be on how the Hornets look to utilize Miller throughout his rookie season and whether his fit alongside LaMelo is as good as it looked on paper. We will get out first glimpse of Miller during the Hornets’ Summer League, which will take place in early July.