LeBron James: 'I love what I see from' Brandon Miller

PHOTO | TROY HULL

Charlotte Hornets rookie Brandon Miller is excelling over his last five games with an average of 29.2 points, 1.8 assists and 49% shooting.

When LeBron James speaks on your name, people listen.

And when you post your second consecutive 30-plus point game the night after totaling your career high, people begin to watch closely.

That’s Brandon Miller, Charlotte’s rookie who just happens to be coming into his own. Miller, who collected his first Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month award last week, has been on a tear that is providing optimism for Hornets fans, despite a brutal season in the win-loss column.

Over his last five games, Miller is averaging 29.2 points, 4.2 three-pointers, and 1.8 steals per game on 49% from the field, 45% from three and 86% from the free throw line. Miller’s 29.2-point average over the last five games ranks 10th in the league, ahead of superstars Jayson Tatum, Nikola Jokic, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and James, among others.

James likes what he’s seen from Miller.

“I think the more and more time he is on the floor, the better and better he is going to get. The best teacher in life is experience, and he’s experiencing being out on the floor and also being a focal point of the offense,” James said Monday. “He’s just learning. He’ll continue to get better; the talent is obviously there.”

In his second and final matchup against the Lakers of the season, Miller nearly led a 21-point comeback that had the sold-out Spectrum Center rocking – even if it was essentially a home-away-from-home for the Lakers (LeBron) faithful.

“It was a great crowd, for sure. Just wish it was more Hornets jerseys than Lakers jerseys,” Miller said. “It was great just to see people come out to watch the game. It was a great atmosphere.”

Miller poured in 33 points on an efficient 13-of-25 shooting from the field and 5-of-10 from beyond the arc. The 6-foot-7 wing added four steals, four rebounds and three assists, highlighted by a steal and transition slam that will likely find its way to Sports Center’s Top 10 play list.

Charlotte coach Steve Clifford raved about Miller’s development through nearly 50 games.

“He’s playing great,” Clifford said. “Remember, the last time he got in foul trouble in the first half, he really struggled to get his body going in the second half. But tonight, he was great. You can tell he learns, and that’s not somebody talking to him. That’s just how he is. He figures stuff out. They’re double-teaming him in all of the pick and rolls now, so he’s playing with a lot more activity off the ball to get space. He just does things that you don’t teach.

“As much as anything, he’s got size, and he’s starting to show that he’s going to have a real playmaking aspect to his game as he gets older. He can really pass, but right now we need him to score and that’s what he’s doing.”

While Miller has operated as a primary ball handler with LaMelo Ball sidelined, he thwarted the idea that he is showing the potential to play point guard. And although Hornets will have to wait to see the backcourt duo of Miller and Ball flourish, with Ball dealing with yet another ankle injury, Miller is seeing increased isolation opportunities – and he’s making the most of them.

Over the last five games, Miller has seen his usage rate spike up to 27.9%, well over his season average of 22.5%. The result? Outputs of 29, 21, 28, 35 and 33 points.
After pouring in 25 second-half points against the Lakers, Miller and James shared a moment together on the court.

Miller recalled the moment postgame, and what it is like to share the floor with one of the greatest – if not the greatest – players to pick up a basketball.

“I remember him saying that I’ve gotten better every game that we’ve played. Hats off to him, the greatest player in the NBA – for sure,” Miller said. “It’s all great feelings, out there with the best players in the world competing at the high level. It’s honestly a blessing.”

James added Miller is “here for a reason. Just continue to get better and better. I love what I see from him at this stage of his career. He’ll continue to get better.”

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