Hornets’ rookie Brandon Miller named as player having most to prove
Charlotte Hornets rookie Brandon Miller is yet to play his first regular-season NBA minute, but it appears that some unfair expectations are being placed upon him. In a recent Southeast Division preview appearing on The Athletic (subscription required), Senior NBA Writer Josh Robbins has named the Hornets’ rookie as the player with the most to prove in the division.
The selection of Miller does seem a bit uncalled for considering David Aldridge selected Atlanta’s Trae Young and Eric Nehm chose Washington’s Jordan Poole. Two players that have already played in the NBA with varying levels of success. Additionally, the choice of Miller does seem to be rooted in the near-universal preference for Scoot Henderson as the second overall pick rather than Miller.
"“Charlotte’s decision to draft Miller second instead of Scoot Henderson is ripe for second-guessing, even though Charlotte, with Ball already in tow, had a bigger positional need on the wing than at point guard. Miller will always be linked to Henderson, and because of that, Miller and the person who drafted him, GM Mitch Kupchak, face an uncommon level of pressure to prove Miller was the better choice.”"
Understandably, certain analysts, reporters, etc., have their preferences or players to be better in the long run. However, it appears that Miller has received an unnecessary amount of scrutiny for someone who is yet to make his NBA debut. Arguing the choice of Miller over Henderson? Fine. Deciding that Miller is the player with the most to prove in the division when the other selections are established NBA players? That is a bit much.
If one wants to make an argument for pressure being placed upon Miller and Hornets’ general manager Mitch Kupchak for the selection, a better time to do so would be after his first season comes to an end. At that point, there will be a much better idea of what Miller is as a player, how he fits in with the rest of the lineup, and what he needs to work on moving forward. Until then, saying that he has the most to prove in the division is nothing more than premature nonsense.
