Brandon Miller: 6'9" 200 lbs 18.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 0.9 spg, 0.9 bpg, 43% fg% 38.4% 3%, 85.6% ft%.
Brandon Miller was easily the best perimeter player in college basketball, combining silky smooth shooting, size and coordination to be a walking 15-25 points immediately in the college game. Miller also used his size to drive, rebound and defend effectively. Miller had so much gravity that he learned to manipulate the defense and get great looks for his teammates by the end of the year. Miller projects as a top 4 pick who can both immediately impact your NBA team and has the capacity to be a top 2 option for a contender in time. He reminds me of Paul George in the way he gets to spots and elevates and even moves but he lacks the top tier athleticism Paul George possessed when in Indiana. Miller reminds me of Paul George mixed with another Pacers wing, Danny Granger. Miller's shooting splits are impressive and are not the typical level of difficulty when compared to his peers who are in his shooting stratosphere analytically. Defensively, Miller competes hard and has the length to be disruptive on ball and near the rim. I believe Miller has a tremendously high floor and has all star upside but I hesitate to say he has super star potential due to lack of premier athleticism.
Strengths:
Very big wing scorer.
Good athleticism, size, and great fluidity/ coordination with the ball.
shoots it well off catch and off the bounce from various levels on the court.
48 percent on unguarded catch and shoots.
Shot a lot and maintained great efficiency all year.
Tough Shot Maker! A knock to some is shot selection but I'll always favor someone who has the CAPACITY to hit those shots over one who can't dream of even taking them.
High floor and high upside.
3 level scorer who won't have to adjust game to score at NBA level.
Can even score in the mid post a la Middleton.
Developing facilitator with a knack for good kick out passes.
Weaknesses:
Not an explosive finisher.
Lots of turnovers. (negative assist to turnover ratio).
39% from the rim in the half court.
Finishes below the rim.
Appeared rushed when driving when defended by very athletic wings like Andre Jackson.
Slightly low release.
Swing Skills: Miller doesn't have a swing skill per say to cultivate in particular but I am eager to see how well he can handle bigger and stronger athletes in the NBA. He will still have the shot making ability I trust but if he can attack the rim more proficiently and draws fouls at the NBA level, he will elevate his highest outcome. I do not see a true superstar but I can see him replicate what Danny Granger or Khris Middleton do and make himself an all star caliber player who I see as more of a Robin as opposed to a Batman. Should he be a defensive plus to a degree that he is defending top players at end of games he makes himself a huge plus as a 2 way player with star abilities on offense. Offensively, his driving and strength improvements will open up more passing lanes which he demonstrated the ability to find as the year progressed and that lifts his ceiling. In sum, I see Miller likely being a 20 point scorer many times in his career but barring a jump in physicality/ athleticism that allows him to become a better defender and driver, I do not see franchise altering talent as a Batman. I believe he is in between Paul George and Danny Granger but lean slightly more to the Danny Granger side of the comparison.