Portland Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller – Part 1 Bama Forward
Andrew Elderbaum
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With the third overall pick in the NBA Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers will draft either Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller. Here’s our pre-draft look at Miller.
With the NBA Draft just over a week away, the Portland Trail Blazers pick is at the mercy of Charlotte. Owning the third pick in a three-prospect draft, Portland is guaranteed a shot at a future star, just maybe not the one they need.
French phenom Victor Wembanyama is a given to go first overall to San Antonio. The other two in the triumvirate are Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson.
Which one is a better fit for the Portland Trail Blazers, and who is more likely to end up in Rip City? Let’s start with Miller.
Brandon Miller
Brandon Miller is a 6’9″, 200-pound forward with a good touch from outside. In a perfect world, he could become Paul George with a better outside shot.
The athletic one-and-done Alabama Crimson Tide product can both shoot and pass. Miller also has the skill set to become a plus NBA defender.
Things to like
There’s a ton of potential to like here. He rebounds better than expected for a slimmer forward (8.2 board per game) and is unselfish for a primary scorer.
Miller is the type of young player that could help right away. He would be a seamless fit in Rip City, possibly placating Damien Lillard. The Portland Trail Blazers can win with him now and in the future.
Caution needed
There are downsides to Miller. The glaring red flag is his involvement in the murder of Jamea Harris. While no charges involving Miller have been filed, he did deliver the gun to the shooter.
During the predraft interview process, he provided teams with court documents stating he couldn’t discuss the incident and talked about it as a learning experience when he provided some insight. Miller and his teammates did a “pat down’ celebration after his return from suspension, so there are obvious maturity questions.
His no-show in the NCAA tournament (8-41 from the field in 3 games) is also a concern. Miller was playing through a groin injury and the mental toll from his suspension and legal issues, but the struggles were noted.
Few On Court Flags
Concerns about his actual game are far simpler. He can be slowed down in half-court and bullied off the ball by stronger defenders. While dangerous in transition, his lack of explosiveness makes him easier to stop when the defense is set.
These issues are negligible in a Portland Trail Blazers offense flush with shooters, Initially, Miller would be the third option at best.
How likely is Miller to fall to three?
It depends on Charolette’s plans for the present and future. Do they plan on LaMelo Ball staying there? Do they see a Scoot/Ball backcourt as a viable path to the future? Finally, there’s the Miles Bridges situation.
Bridges missed all of last year after a domestic violence incident that resulted in a no-contest plea to felony assault. He was a free agent at the time, so his 30-game suspension (down to 10 for time served, according to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver) will be enforced next season. Charlotte still holds his rights and seems set to bring him back.
Bad Press is Bad Business
What does this have to do with Brandon Miller? The NBA is a business, and negative attention is bad for business. It would be pretty naive not to think that Bridges’ PR situation won’t be a factor when considering the baggage Miller brings with him.
Do the Hornets, or the NBA for that matter, want a front court where one forward is a convicted domestic abuser returning from exile and the other delivered a gun used in the murder of a single mother? What about the Portland Trail Blazers? It’s hard to see that scenario happening.
What do you think about the Portland Trail Blazers selecting Brandon Miller in this year’s NBA Draft?