NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Charlotte Hornets are going nowhere this season. And while the campaign is still young, they must figure out what they have with rookie Brandon Miller. The future is now, not later.
With LaMelo Ball still sidelined, the Hornets have relied upon Terry Rozier, Miles Bridges, and even Gordon Hayward for victories. Not a bad trio to lean on, but they are not the future. To be honest, the trio could be gone by the trade deadline or after the season is over. This will leave Miller and Ball as the primary scorers going forward for at least the next few years.
So why not see what you have in the young player now, this way you can better access the team before the deadline.
Miller on the season is averaging 14.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while shooting .436 percent from the floor. He’s also playing 31.4 minutes per game. In 25 games, he has started 19. He’s getting the opportunity, but not the exposure the future needs.
The Charlotte Hornets losing is still a mystery. Unlike some teams, this is not about youth. They have players who are capable of dropping 20 per night and yet, here they are looking up in the standings. Blaming former owner Michael Jordan was easy. But when does it fall on the shoulders of the players and coaches?
They have young talent. They drafted Miller with hopes he would rise to the occasion but he’s not being given the proper opportunity. Too many vets on this team with a me-first attitude. That has to change. Can they rid themselves of Bridges, Rozier, and Hayward this season? That depends on what teams are desperate enough.
As it stands now, the Hornets should be in rebuild mode. While some will argue they’ve been for the past few seasons, their roster will indicate otherwise. Ball was a top choice but he did have a veteran presence surrounding him with PJ Washington, Rozier, and others. Now, it’s time to tear it down and build it up brick by brick and that begins with Miller.
In all fairness, Brandon Miller is seeing the minutes and taking shots. He’s playing well for a rookie. But the Hornets are not winning. Maybe it’s time to take the ball out of the hands of Rozier and Bridges, hell, even Hayward, and let this young man go ape s***.
Miller is attempting 12.8 shots per game but 5 of those are from deep. He was never a good three-point shooter in college but for some reason like most young cats coming into the league, they believe that will change once they put that NBA jersey on.
Who Will The Charlotte Hornets Trade
Miller has the skills to put the ball on the floor and create for himself and others. This is still a part of his game he must get comfortable with. At his size, Miller should be wreaking havoc on the defensive end of the court. But like the rest of his teammates, he has struggled there.
While having vets should help a rookie, in this case, it’s hurting him. The Charlotte Hornets are nothing more than a perimeter team. When shots are falling, they can beat anybody. But when they are bouncing off the rim, they don’t know what to do. There is no real inside presence from them and Miller should be the one to attack the rim any chance he can get.
Making moves this season will allow the team to get a good look at who they drafted and see what this kid can do. Losing will continue but to build anything, a foundation has to be set. As it stands, the foundation for the Charlotte Hornets begins with Ball and Brandon Miller.
