During the 2022–23 season, Brandon Miller was perhaps the best freshman in collegiate basketball. For Alabama, the top overall seed in the NCAA tournament, Miller had a tremendous offensive load to bear. Many predicted that the 6’9″ wing would be a favorite to be selected in the first four picks of this year’s draft.
And then Brandon Miller of Alabama was chosen by the Charlotte Hornets as the second overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. He surely lived up to the predictions made by fans and experts. But how well is it going for the Alabama superstar in the NBA summer league?
Brandon Miller possesses all the qualities needed to be a great player in the NBA. The NBA Summer League game on Sunday versus the Lakers wasn’t exactly a star-making event. Miller has had an erratic Summer League so far and had a difficult time getting any shots off in Charlotte’s huge loss to the Lakers. The Alabama star, who is both well-known and despised, gave a terrible performance against LA that is definitely one to forget.
In the 93-75 Summer League defeat to the Lakers on Sunday, Miller finished with 10 points (4-17 FG, 0-7 3PT, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, four assists, and a steal over 29 minutes. The Hornets are only shooting 35.5% from the field and 22.1% from 3-point range throughout the summer league games.
Fans turn on Michael Jordan after Brandon Miller’s performance
Even before Miller was selected by the Hornets, controversy erupted over his lack of sporting modesty. This contrasts sharply with the attitude of Michael Jordan, the current owner of the Charlotte Hornets. While having a positive outlook, Jordan showed modesty as a rookie in the league.
Brandon Miller today:
🧱 10 PTS
🧱 4-18 FG
🧱 0-7 3PJordan has a great eye for talent 😤🥶🧱 pic.twitter.com/leamDwKQOS
— BrickMuse (@BrickMuse) July 9, 2023
After Brandon Miller’s poor performance against the Lakers, fans saw an opportunity to thrash Michael Jordan for the same. This sparked after Brickmuse tweeted about the unimpressive stat line for Miller in the game. While Brickmuse stated incorrect figures for Field goals made by Miller (4-18 FG instead of 4-17 FG), Twitter users were busy blaming Jordan for it nonetheless.
Fans took to Twitter with comments like, “Thought Brandon Miller could shoot? Guess Mitch and Jordan didn’t watch the NCAA tournament” and “MJ done struck out again. It’s like watching him play baseball”.
Thought Brandon Miller could shoot? Guess Mitch and Jordan didn’t watch the NCAA tournament 🤣🤣 https://t.co/z9iRJW8mHt
— C3 PanthersCentral Pod (@RossAnthony02) July 9, 2023
MJ done struck out again. It’s like watching him play baseball. https://t.co/00YxXq4Lwf
— Victavius (@DaNotoriousVIC_) July 10, 2023
However, the product of Alabama was able to have an impact on the game in other ways, recording team-highs in rebounds and assists without making a mistake. At this moment, his shooting percentages shouldn’t raise any red flags, but as the Summer League progresses, he will work to increase his efficiency and turnover-preventing skills.