This is where I fundamentally disagree. Nothing, other than a spot on the roster, was earned when we drafted him #2. Don’t get me wrong, we absolutely should give him every opportunity to earn proper minutes. Maybe it’s the pedant in me, but in order to earn minutes, you have to actually earn them and not have them given to you.
I wouldn’t worry at all if this is the case, at the start of the season. If it’s still happening after 30 odd games, then either Miller’s not acclimatizing as quickly as we all hope or Cliff is being pig headed … or we kept the right Martin Twin!
As above, I fundamentally disagree with a predetermined, unearned minute allocation. Completely agree about the super long leash, though (behavioural caveat included). For some players, throwing them into the thick of it, right from the off, works. For others, it slows their development. My hope is Cliff can work out which one Miller is, and he’s treated accordingly.
For the record, I hope Miller starts. I hope he plays somewhere around 26-28 mins a night. I simply want him to have earned both the start and the minutes, by his offseason/preseason work. I feel that’s my only point of difference with either of you.
As a rookie, and a 19 yr old rookie as well, he will likely not be as good or able to provide as many win shares as a veteran such as terry, Hayward or martin. So in terms of “earning” time he wouldn’t. It is a tragic mistake to not play him at the expense of less quality minutes to win games that don’t matter with this team. He needs the minutes more than the franchise needs the wins this year.
You do have a point with figuring out starter vs off the bench BUT if it is the later then the hornets messed up yet another pick.
My comment about earning minutes is more about what it means to the players and to the coaching staff. It’s about the message it sends out. I’m anti entitled thinking or behaviour, vehemently so, so I accept I’m being hard-nosed on the concept.
The number of wins this year has absolutely nothing to do with my stance. I completely agree that not being able to provide as many win shares as a lower ceilinged vet is irrelevant. I’ll be extremely annoyed if that line of thinking carries any weight and effects Miller’s playing time.
Beyond the ‘earning’ mantra, it’s also about what’s best for the player. With sink or swim playing time, some good players have sunk. It doesn’t necessarily follow, linearly, that greater exposure to minutes equates to a greater rate of development. There’s a scenario where Miller is thrust into the starting line-up, with strong minute allocation, where he struggles … the media then get on his back … the fans pipe up about how he was the wrong pick, and it affects him. It stunts his development. That said, if he shows himself, in practise and preseason, as much as one can, to be capable of starting and making the right rotations most of the time, absolutely go for it.
As usual, we disagree. If he gets starter minutes, then the new ownership is trying to win the lottery - again. That kind of thinking would push Melo, Miles and PJ away not to mention impactful free agents.
I would rather see our 30 million dollar man start at the 3 over a never played a game rookie. If you were cutting that paycheck, the first thing you would say is, “I’d better d@mn well get my money from Gordon!”
Let Miller get acclimated slowly w less bs media hype and scrutiny. The media wants Miller v Scoot/Wemby. Give them Miller coming off the bench instead.
Don’t think PJ is the type for hyperbole, always keeps his answers pretty generic. So in that context, this is more encouraging.
I think Miller will get his minutes. I know Cliff believes in putting players in a position where they can be successful, so I’m sure early on it will be off the bench and give him a chance to get used to the flow of the pro game and build up his strength.
Giannis, Ingram, Jaylen Brown didn’t start much their first year. Anthony Edwards and Melo both took til about their 20th game before they got into the starting lineup.
I think Miles and Gordon are definitely going to start, so the only place Miller could squeeze in would be at the 2 if Cliff wanted to start ultra big. But it would be hard to beat out Terry or a healthy Cody at this point unless he comes out on fire and forces Cliff’s hand.
Agree. I’d like to see him average in that 25-29 mpg range for the season, too. No harm in starting off in the teens from the bench, but the minutes do need to ramp up as his play inevitably/hopefully does.
20% (28.8) minimum from total G/SF minutes for players that play defense at guard/wing. Heck even run & guns like JB know this. Frank or still possible RFA Theo, & Cody. Trade for likes of Delon, but only paying his 9 million if above not healthy.
Minimum 70% (67.2) minutes for guards actually dribble & run offense…Ball & Rozier.
Miller time depend on how much Hayward & Miles play. First 10 games Miller gets 28.8…plays outstanding, below no matter.
Otherwise After first 10…
Fans & FO hoping & crossing fingers Hayward get hurt again & released.
And/Or Move on from idiot Miles.
Mitch snark about PJ agent drawing funnies, the Mitch giggles on a Miles resign…3 years of Klutch agents, missing a season, felony court, NBA suspension…you know not as funny Mitch and Miles not sharing the giggles.
I was looking at it more from a physical development standpoint. Miller has the skills, but he is at a significant strength deficiency like Giannis and Ingram. And Melo.
I think a little grace period to adjust would be better, as it may be tough to get over the mental barrier of being physically outmatched every time you’re on the floor.
I know he’s not going to get “strong” this season, but I do think you can get used the physicality, adjust, and figure out how to attack before you’re fully pushed out of the bird nest and risk getting the yips from not being able to find any footing while you’re floundering.
Bryce, Thor, and NSJ - there is space for all of these guys on the roster. In fact we desperately need them this year for bench depth. If two out of three of these guys can step up and provide solid minutes then the planning/strategy road to gets ALOT easier next summer.
We are already partially there w Bryce! If all three can step up then we go into the off season only needing a back-up PG and starting 2 guard (assuming Terry is traded and assuming we re-sign a productive head ache free Miles).
Get some high character playoffs experienced productive vets and we are competitive in the east one year from now. All of this doesn’t even count the tradable asset in Gordon’s contract.
This is a glass half full view I share when I’m feeling optimistic.
We have a lot of young prospects who could feature in the main rotation next season.
*LaMelo, Miller & Williams are the three we have our hopes pinned on.
*I’m happy with PJ as a high 20 min, 4th option starter or 6th/7th man and ok with Cody & Richards as edge of rotation, 9th & 10th men.
*Then there’s Bryce & Thor who should be ready, as well as Bailey, NSJ & Nnaji who might be.
The holes are that starting SG who excels at D and a backup PG. I’d love it if those roles could be filled by one player. Someone in the mould of Delon Wright or Dejounte Murray. In the meantime, my faint hope is that Terry knuckles down on D and gets back to his Boston days, where I remember him as being a good defender.
So… Kai has been going through some things…very publicly online.
I didn’t want to post the clip of someone who is going through an episode, but it’s easy to find. He did not seem well at all.
I’m not sure if it’s more mental or related to a substance, but I hope the team is able to find him some help without casting him aside. When Miles Bridges is telling you to calm down… although he should know because he was doing it last year.
What’s he doing? In terms of basketball Kai could have been let go last year. He’s pretty bad at basketball and at this point not worth the roster hold.
What is this tweet from. I saw another recent video of him talking, not making sense…. I guess he’s done this a few times now? Hope he’s ok…. But typically Hornets things.