It's been a rough stretch of years for the Hornets organization, but the future is looking more promising by the day.
Charlotte enters the final stretch of the 2023-24 season with a new energy thanks to moves made at the trade deadline. The franchise's biggest reason to be optimistic, however, dates back to last year's NBA Draft.
In June, Charlotte's decision to select Brandon Miller over Scoot Henderson with the second overall pick in 2023 was met with an unfair amount of backlash. Words like "absurd" and "terrible" were used to describe the choice, Hornets fans booed the decision at local draft parties and the franchise's mascot even appeared dismayed after the pick was in.
Here's our raw video of fans at Spectrum Center reacting to the #Hornets selecting Brandon Miller 2nd overall. Hugo, you good? @wcnc pic.twitter.com/cWiQGSPXfE
— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) June 23, 2023
All Miller has done over the past eight months is prove every single doubter wrong. More importantly, he's proven every believer to be right.
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After going 27-55 in 2022-23, the Hornets decided to draft Miller based on his potential fit alongside point guard LaMelo Ball. Those who advocated for Henderson did so under the belief that he was the best player available and assumed that he and Ball would figure out a balance in ball dominance.
As it turns out, Miller's 6-7 frame and sweet shooting stroke have made for an immaculate fit.
Things were rough for Miller during the NBA Summer League, but he did show flashes that once he joined his NBA teammates in Charlotte, he would hit the ground running. That he did.
It took Miller just three games to turn in the first 20-point performance of his career as he finished with 22 points and nine rebounds in a home loss to Brooklyn. He enjoyed an even bigger breakout three weeks later with 29 points (on 10-of-15 shooting) against a stingy Knicks defense.
After turning two 20-point performances in over the first month of his NBA career, Miller has done so an additional 15 times, including back-to-back games of 35 and 33 points against the Pacers and Lakers on consecutive nights.
Thanks to his sharpshooting and defensive instincts, Miller joined some pretty elite company in the process.
.@hornets G/F @brandmillerr last night vs. Los Angeles:
— Charlotte Hornets PR (@HornetsPR) February 6, 2024
-33 PTS
-13 FG (career high)
-5 3P
-4 STL (career high)
He joins Stephen Curry and LeBron James as the only rookies in NBA history to meet those thresholds in a game.#LetsFly35
There's even more to be said of Miller's scoring exploits as his two 30-point performances were part of a streak of six consecutive 20-point games. The only other Hornets rookie to turn in such a streak? Hall of Famer Alonzo Mourning.
Miller's 16.6 points per game rank third among all rookies this season and No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama is the only rookie who has turned in more 20-point performances than Miller this season. His place among these lists is even more impressive when considering he has only been able to benefit from Ball's playmaking for the 19 games that they've shared the floor.
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It's more than just his scoring, though. Miller has been vocal and impactful on the defensive end and, more importantly, has taken on a personal responsibility to help restore the culture of a franchise that last qualified for the NBA Playoffs in 2016.
He doesn't just yell at his teammates to get back on defense, either. He leads by example.
TWO. WAY. PLAYER. 👀 @brandmillerr | @hornets pic.twitter.com/7ZTZlNrs5Y
— Bally Sports: Hornets (@HornetsOnBally) February 8, 2024
It would be unfair to Miller — and Henderson — to act as though his season has been free of any struggles. One way or another, every single rookie is bound to struggle. It's part of the game.
After battling injuries, Henderson has come on strong lately in Portland and is showing signs of being a guard capable of pushing the franchise forward in its rebuild. Hindsight is always 20-20, but Henderson's projection to be that type of player proves exactly why the Hornets were wise to not select him. As Henderson runs his race as the heir apparent to the greatest point guard in Portland history, Miller is carving his lane as the perfect piece alongside Ball, who hopes to one day become the greatest point guard in Charlotte history.
Similar to the rare win-win trade, time could prove that each team involved made the best decision, especially considering the potential that the Ball-Miller pairing appears to have.
The future's bright in the Queen City.
