Being a team's offensive talisman is about more than just putting up high-point totals; it's about being efficient and choosing the right moments to shoot. This comes with experience, which is something Brandon Miller is still developing. Miller's wasteful performance during the Charlotte Hornets' defeat to the Detroit Pistons was the latest evidence that the 23-year-old still has some ways to go before he is ready to become the face of the franchise.
This is a big year for Brandon Miller; not only is he trying to take the next step in his journey to greatness, but he has now stepped into the shoes of his erratic former teammate, LaMelo Ball. That is a pretty tall task for such a young man. Ball had his issues, but when he was at his devastating best, he was simply unplayable.
Miller must now be 'that guy'. There is much to be admired about LaMelo's game. His range of passing, showmanship, and when he catches fire, he can drain shots from anywhere on the court. However, his decision-making was questionable, to say the least. Miller could learn a lot from Ball, but at this moment in time, he is mirroring the wrong traits.
Hornets must take the pressure off Miller's shoulders
Miller is playing like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. It's clear that the Hornets' head coach, Charles Lee, trusts his young star to lead the team's offense, but this responsibility is obviously affecting his judgment.
Charlotte's 124-91 defeat to Detroit epitomised Miller's lack of offensive maturity. Despite having several talented veterans around him, such as Naz Reid and Grayson Allen, the 23-year-old opted to take shots that disrupted any momentum his team created.
In 31 minutes of action, Miller recorded 17 points. On the surface, that tally seems like a positive contribution to his team's effort. Unfortunately, these statistics don't tell the whole story. The Alabama alum went 7-for-18 on the night and 3-for-11 from deep. An experienced player would turn to playmaking if they hit such a cold streak; instead, Miller stayed aggressive and ended any chance of his team staging an unlikely comeback.
This has been the story of Miller's season so far. His execution has rarely matched his enthusiasm, despite recording a career-high 39 points against the Washington Wizards. This year, Miller has averaged an impressive 23.5 points per game, but he has shot just 37.8 percent from the floor and 28.6 percent from deep. Both are career-low totals; this is hardly a coincidence given his increased responsibilities.
Miller's talent is undeniable, but he is not ready to lead the Charlotte Hornets' offense yet. High-volume shooting is the NBA's newest trend; however, at some point, it becomes counter-productive to a team's ambitions. Charles Lee has an obligation to take the heat off his young star, allow him to regain his poise, and then put him at the forefront of the offense once again. Miller needs to take a step back to move forward.
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