No. 2 pick Brandon Miller expects some bumps in the NBA

Brandon Miller is set to make his NBA debut on Wednesday night, and the former Alabama All-American expects it to be bumpy – literally.

“You’re just taking a lot more bumps, definitely,” Miller said about the NBA game. “I think the biggest thing with taking bumps is also the weight room and how you take care of your body on and off the court. I think that can go a long way in how many games you play.”

Miller is on the same wavelength as Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak when he talks about the importance of the weight room.

“I think he’s getting better and better each game,” Kupchak said of Miller during an appearance on this week’s “Hornets’ Hive Cast.” “When we got him, he had mono, so he had lost a lot of weight. He’s put a lot of that weight back on, and he’s gotten much stronger. Having said that, he’s got to get a lot stronger still.

“Very pleased with him on the court. He just has a great feel for the game. Fits right in. Maybe a little bit too unselfish at times, but does a lot of everything – rebounds the ball, brings the ball up the floor, makes a play, moves the ball, he’ll score, so all good.”

Miller has gotten a taste of the NBA in Summer League and preseason play.

In the Hornets’ four preseason games, Miller averaged 8.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.3 steals. Miller led Charlotte in preseason playing time with an average of 26.1 minutes per game. He made only 1-of-13 shots from 3-point range, which dragged his shooting percentage down to .378. Miller went 13-of-24 inside the arc.

“The biggest difference I see is definitely stronger,” Miller said when comparing the NBA to the college game. “You’re guarding the best in the world, so I think just trying to make them always finish over a good contest. I think that’s kind of my goal. I think that’s everybody’s goal on the team. It’s just be the second jumper off the ground and just really compete.”

Miller’s emphasis on defense might come as a surprise after he averaged 18.8 points per game for the Crimson Tide last season. But Kupchak said Miller can make a difference on defense, too.

“His load at Alabama was more offensive-oriented,” Kupchak said. “I think they expected him to score more, look to the basket more. I think with us he realizes that’s not something that he has to do right away, and you’re seeing a different part of the way he plays. You didn’t see it as much at Alabama because he really was aggressive offensively. But really right here, he really just fits in. Rebound the ball, move the ball up the court, make a play, pass and cut. He doesn’t force anything. …

“Quite frankly, the players here are better. He’s got to figure out where he fits in.”

Thirteen-year veteran Gordon Hayward and Miller are Charlotte’s top small-forward options. Miller also could be on the floor for P.J. Washington or Auburn alumnus JT Thor at power forward in a small lineup or get some shooting-guard minutes in a big one.

“It’s definitely a blessing just being in position of having a vet like Gordon Hayward around just to coach you, coach you up and always have you in the right places,” Miller said. “But having him off the court is probably the most important thing. Just building a bond with him off the court is definitely better than the on-court bond.”

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The Hornets selected Miller with the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft on June 22. The franchise’s first choice from the Crimson Tide also matched the highest that a player with Alabama basketball roots has been drafted. Alabama’s Antonio McDyess was the second choice in the 1995 draft.

The Hornets tip off the 2023-24 NBA season against the Atlanta Hawks at 6 p.m. CDT Wednesday at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Hornets had a 27-55 record last season and most recently went to the playoffs in 2016.

“I think our goal is just to win a championship and win as many games as we can,” Miller said.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.