Brandon Miller opened up on his mentality coming into a crucial season with the Charlotte Hornets.
When the Charlotte Hornets drafted forward Brandon Miller with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, he was seen as the future of the organization.
Charlotte likely envisioned him playing a long time with guard LaMelo Ball, but the pairing never was able to get to the playoffs. Ball was traded over the offseason, giving the keys fully to Miller for the upcoming season.
Miller will now be tasked with taking on more as a leader for the Hornets, and he is seen as the top option for this team going forward. Much of the success that Charlotte could see this year will fall directly on the play from Miller, adding more pressure on him to succeed.
Heading into arguably the most crucial season of his career, Miller has been ready to prove himself to everyone. Miller said that he is willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win, whether that is on the offensive or defensive end of the floor.
This is exactly the type of mindset and accountability that the Hornets want to see from the new face of the franchise as the season gets going soon. Miller has all the talent in the world, and he has improved his game every year while in the NBA.
Over 65 games played last season, Miller averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.7 blocks per contest. The forward also shot 43.5 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from distance, showing a nice ability to shoot from range.
For the Hornets to get to where they want to be, Miller may have to see his numbers jump up closer to 24-25 points per game. The young forward is now going to have more on his shoulders when it comes to running the offense, and playmaking could be something he needs to improve on.
Without Ball, Miller may have the ball in his hands more often, and if he can develop even a little more consistency with his playmaking, it could be massive for Charlotte. The Hornets want to break their long playoff drought, and Miller has a chance to be the guy to make it happen.
There has been talk about Miller receiving a new contract extension with the Hornets, and it could still happen before the season starts. But if the two sides can come together, his play could be one of the biggest defining factors in how the deal looks.
The Hornets are excited to see how Miller takes over as the top option of the team heading into the season. But until he can prove himself, there will be questions around whether he can handle being the top guy on the roster.
