I totally agree. My only counterpoint might be that this pretty much described Richards when he first came into the league. But he figured it out and has developed into a solid player. Bigs do take longer to develop so I’m not opposed to a developmental project here and there. But I 100% agree with your overall point.
Preach! This is my greatest frustration with modern basketball. Very few bigs have these basic skills and it’s maddening. I can’t wait until this stretch big philosophy runs it’s course and we get back to teaching bigs some fundamental post skills instead of jacking up 3s. We are desperately in need of a pendulum shift.
Makes perfect sense. My point, which reading back I didn’t express well, is there’s no way Cliff would allow this to happen if he had control. He’s far too savy and experienced to allow this shot show to happen. For it to continue is where, to quote Doug from Locked On Hornets, it becomes franchise malpractice.
Pleased with Miller last night. Not as efficient as you would like, but the shots will fall. Maybe I’m crazy, but I see him as a perfect replacement for Hayward. Similar type players. I think that could be his floor. With his shot, IQ, passing, athleticism, I don’t see him being a bust. Very serviceable player at least.
I think the biggest thing that stands out to me with Miller is how even when the shot isn’t falling it’s almost like it makes him play harder defensively and as a secondary creator. Some players, especially this young, just shut down when the shot isn’t falling but he seems to be the opposite. This is a great way to get in good standing with Cliff. I think his ability defensively alone will get him plenty of minutes early. And the shot just looks so smooth. I think that midrange area is what could unlock his stardom
Not good from someone who has been a pro for two years.
Here’s my extreme hot take overreaction, Wemby is going to be Shaun Bradley 2.0.
Here’s my real opinion, Wemby is so over hyped. It’s not his fault. He may be a bigger version of Giannis which is in insane to think about. However, he is at least 2-3 years away. He’s lucky he is on the spurs. It will be interesting to see if he can weather the “bust” storm until he develops
Yeah, this is the biggest problem. I get it, he’s 7’5 with guard skills and shooting. But starting him off saying he’s the greatest prospect of all time, his projection either HOF or GOAT… like you should never put that on a kid.
We’re lucky Lebron met expectations. But he was already stronger than most of the league coming out.
That quote is a bad look, and there were the fake Britney Spears trolls online going after him. Along with all the basketball overhyping, now the reactionary idiots are piling on right now.
So I guess it is great he’s under Pop’s wings right now.
I honestly feel for Vic. He’s got so little room for growth and improvement in the public eye. He’s expected to be Duncan+ despite having none of the soak time, and no Admiral sidekick role, that Tim did in year 1.
One other take away from last night, I remember they were interviewing Miller before the game, and he was asked how he was feeling after his slow start, then playing against Wemby. He looked around at the crowd with his eyes lit up and said he loved it. Just relishing the atmosphere.
That along with the electricity with the Scoot/Amen matchup, the pressure building to not choke against the #1 prospect and to try to live up to the Scoot showcase earlier, especially after his low output last game… it just shows that he relishes the spotlight, loves big moments, doesn’t cave to pressure.
Plus being willing to be mic’d up. It’s just little tidbits that may not seem like much, but gives clues into his mentality, what we can expect.
That along with his effort last night, should hopefully ease everyone’s worst case scenarios. He’s not gonna be the type that shuts down and goes into a shell because of the outside. Even shooting bad this game, his 3 ball was still 50% and looked smooth. His low release concern - he quick shot one over Wemby’s outstretched arms with a high release that was all net.
The athleticism concern - taking off from the far corner of the lane skying over Cissoko…that shocked me because I thought he was too far to try a dunk (of course WembySPN never replayed it). He’s got the athletic tool, it’s the strength tool he needs to fully unlock it.
And the hesitation crossover that broke Wemby down…I know he did it to a young giraffe who doesnt have full use of his legs yet, but the read and ability to pull it off is translatable and will be a weapon he uses.
Basically, we didn’t want to leave summer league with lingering questions on basketball abilities and skills, and I think what we saw last night can ease the growing concerns from the shitshow known as Hornets Summer League Basketball.
Ive really grown to hate summer league. Especially the haphazard way the hornets approach it-which is pretty representative of the hornets systemic failure from the top to bottom IMO.
Would love to go back over the last 3-4 years to compile the win/loss record of the various iterations of the hornets summer league teams, but also see how badly they’ve been out scored. I’m completely aware SL isn’t about winning or losing, but they way in which they lose and the frequency is awe inspiring.
I try to watch some, but it’s near unwatchable basketball. These hornets SL teams play such terrible, disorganized basketball, I feel myself applauding anyone and anything that isn’t terrible. And I feel my grasp on reading basketball slipping because I am so desperate to find something, anything that isn’t terrible. I question my basketball reality.
So no, I’m trying not to hand out too much judgement or opinion on Miller or anyone. Other than I see confirmation of both sides of his scouting report, and it’s not anything we didn’t already know.
I agree but he looked like he has never played before. He couldn’t figure out that the guy behind him was digging the ball out on his dribble drives. It happened at least 4 times
Didn’t watch the whole game, but Wemby’s “Taller KD” approach wasn’t a great look in SL slop ball.
But surely he’ll be part of system where he rolls to the basket? I kept saying to myself, “Geez, the perimeter game isn’t working tonight, just set him up to get near the hoop.”
5-15 I know but I couldn’t be higher on Miller after last night.
-Mentality: He’s been called passive and a bust for a week now, biggest game on national TV and he comes out gunning. Takes Wemby on 1-1 multiple times, puts up 15 shots.
-Effort: 11 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block. This is a do-it-all wing. He’s not emotive like Scoot but he cares just as much in the game.
-Skillset: Tall players who can pass are so unbelievably valuable. There are angles a 6’9 player can find that a 6’3 player will never have (See LeBron James corner kicks off the drive). His shooting will be good, obviously, but having a legit secondary playmaker who clearly takes pride in making the right read will do so much to take pressure off Melo, create cohesion, and add an entirely new dynamic to the offense.
-Adaptable: So last game he watched Nickelodeon Junior and James “You Should Read a Taiwanese” BookTonight throw up jacks, and comes out tonight inserting himself as the focal point. He is a rookie who recognizes what needs to be fixed, has the capability to be the fixer, AND cares enough to make it happen.
I am not a bama fan and do not know this kid personally. Just someone who played high-level AAU ball throughout my youth and have been a tape/film junkie since I aged out of competitive play. I really see something with this kid. I just think we still need a vocal leader. If someone can get this team locked in on winning, Miller will surely fit right in and be a “lead-by-example” type. I know I typed a lot but there’s so much I like about this kid.
I am new here but you all will likely find my optimism unrealistic or annoying at times. That said, I am a Hornets and Bills fan. The Bills were the joke of the NFL until we drafted Josh Allen. Maybe the Hornets will have a similar storyline, for all of our mental healths sake.
I hear ya, but I think that might require some kind of rule change. I’m for any tweak that encourages strategic variety within the league.
Also, I’ve heard the sentiment that low post basketball is a greater injury risk. Don’t know if that’s scientifically true, but it’s convenient that with these skyrocketing salaries we have a 3-ball shooting league and load management.
Hey Brandon, thanks for taking some time out of your busy summer league day to submit a thoughtful post on the premier Charlotte Hornets discussion destination, Hornetsplanet.
I’m not as high on you as other are, but despite that, I still wish the best for you. Prove me wrong sir. I would love to be dead-ass wrong. Thanks Brandon.
