Brandon Miller sliding? Out of shape, interviews going poorly

Post #41 » by **DeBlazerRiddem** » Thu May 25, 2023 8:09 pm

Givony has a long time relationship with Mike Schmitz right? Who was hired by the Blazers. So my assumption given the early rumblings of Charlotte leaning toward Miller is maybe this is trying to help Miller fall to Portland - but IMO that also would help Charlotte make the right choice at #2 as well.

Hal14 · Post #42 » by **Hal14** » Thu May 25, 2023 8:31 pm

DeBlazerRiddem wrote:Givony has a long time relationship with Mike Schmitz right? Who was hired by the Blazers. So my assumption given the early rumblings of Charlotte leaning toward Miller is maybe this is trying to help Miller fall to Portland - but IMO that also would help Charlotte make the right choice at #2 as well.

Hmm, you might be right. Schmitz has Givony leak bad stuff about Miller (interesting that the anti-Miller stuff by Givony came right after there was rumors of Charlotte leaning towards taking Miller), to try and persuade charlotte to not take Miller, so portland can take him.

Interesting.

Portland wants to try and keep Lillard happy. Taking Scoot would not make Lillard happy. It would probably cause Lillard to ask for a trade. Taking Miller would probably make Lillard happy.

DeBlazerRiddem wrote: but IMO that also would help Charlotte make the right choice at #2 as well.

Well, I don't think Portland cares about Charlotte. They just care about themselves.

Also, I think it's debatable who the right pick is for Charlotte. I have Scoot as a better prospect, but just barely, by a tiny margin, it's very close. I can see an argument for Miller being the better prospect. And I can definitely see an argument that Miller is a better fit for that Charlotte team (especially a better fit with Lamelo) than Scoot is.

GSWFan1994 · Post #43 » by **GSWFan1994** » Sat May 27, 2023 2:30 pm

From the wiretap (via Givony):

Teams Frustrated With Brandon Miller's Response To Legal Questions

Brandon Miller met with several teams to do interviews ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft. During those interviews, Miller was unwilling to answer questions about his pending legal situation.

Miller provided the teams he met with a document from his lawyers. He stated that document explains everything those teams need to know, and that he wouldn't be talking about it further. That approach has left teams frustrated. ESPN's Jonathan Givony said that the Charlotte Hornets and Portland Trail Blazers, holders of the second and third picks in the draft, still have questions that need to be answered.

Miller was allegedly present at the site of the murder of a woman. Miller allegedly delivered a gun to a former Alabama teammate that has been charged with capital murder. Miller hasn't been charged with anything related to the crime.

Do you think this could be a smokescreen?

CptCrunch · Post #44 » by **CptCrunch** » Sat May 27, 2023 4:03 pm

GSWFan1994 wrote:From the wiretap (via Givony):

Teams Frustrated With Brandon Miller's Response To Legal Questions

Brandon Miller met with several teams to do interviews ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft. During those interviews, Miller was unwilling to answer questions about his pending legal situation.

Miller provided the teams he met with a document from his lawyers. He stated that document explains everything those teams need to know, and that he wouldn't be talking about it further. That approach has left teams frustrated. ESPN's Jonathan Givony said that the Charlotte Hornets and Portland Trail Blazers, holders of the second and third picks in the draft, still have questions that need to be answered.

Miller was allegedly present at the site of the murder of a woman. Miller allegedly delivered a gun to a former Alabama teammate that has been charged with capital murder. Miller hasn't been charged with anything related to the crime.

Do you think this could be a smokescreen?

You don't smoke this with Adam Silvers on hawkwatch wrt guns if you actually want to draft Miller or entice someone to trade up for him.

So either some team below Blazers/Hornets leaked this (aka made up about the actions of other FO given they shouldn't know about interactions insdie other team's interview processes), or Blazers/Hornets are trying to drag Miller through the muds.

The facts are clear on the legal case; Miller delivered a gun that used in a homicide. There isn't enough evidence to prove intent, which is required under Alabama law to charge with accessory in this circumstance. In other jurisdiction, where there is no need to prove motive, Miller's career would be over. Presenting team a lawyer's statement is obviously the smart thing to do here, despite the teams not liking the lack of clear, open communication.

Edit: I also want to make it clear there is potential looming civil liability facing Miller. It is wise for him to not make statements regarding the situation. The moment he goes from a broke college kid to a NBA top pick, his civil legal will start. Any team drafting him will need to prepare to be dragged through the mud with respect to getting negative media coverage on employing a player who is battling a civil suit for wrongful death. Silver will surely be pleased with a NBA player putting himself in this situation. If I was Silver, I would send Miller's a memo that this was his 1st, 2nd and 3rd chance, if there is a next time with the word gun and his name in the news, consider his contract voided, which is allowable under the CBA.

clyde21 · Post #45 » by **clyde21** » Sat May 27, 2023 6:41 pm

any GM that makes his decisions off of a Givony tweet is not worth his salt anyway...these dudes are speaking to Miller themselves and can make their own decisions regadless of what Givony tweets

MemphisX · Post #46 » by **MemphisX** » Sun May 28, 2023 12:22 am

clyde21 wrote:any GM that makes his decisions off of a Givony tweet is not worth his salt anyway...these dudes are speaking to Miller themselves and can make their own decisions regadless of what Givony tweets

Exactly. Most teams have been collecting background on these guys since their early teens. They are not depending on Givony at all.

Devilanche · Post #47 » by **Devilanche** » Sun May 28, 2023 2:43 am

If he have an agent , he’s probably providing more information only to team with the 2nd and 3rd pick. 4th pick if he somehow feel like he’s sliding.

No reason to say anything more to team with picks lower than 4th.

No reason for team with pick #2 or #3 to leak this out either. Both would have the same imformation from him and then decide how they want proceed off that.

amcoolio · Post #48 » by **amcoolio** » Sun May 28, 2023 4:11 pm

Read on Twitter

Vibes are way off in this interview. That was a similar response to Bridges and Morant after their troubles. I understand that he can't say much because of the legal system but yeesh, those are not the vibes I want out of a #2 pick. Charlotte can't draft this guy.

kennydorglas · Post #49 » by **kennydorglas** » Sun May 28, 2023 4:31 pm

In the NFL Jalen Carter (similar off field/court problems) slided from #3 to #9.

GSWFan1994 · Post #50 » by **GSWFan1994** » Sun May 28, 2023 5:35 pm

Well, at least he's saying all the right things. Can't fault him for that.

It's very likely he ends up falling on draft day though, which IMO will be a win-win situation for both him (lower expectations) and the team that drafts him (getting a possible steal late in the lottery).

Post #51 » by **Duke4life831** » Sun May 28, 2023 5:49 pm

Meh my bigger concern with Miller if I was a team in the top 5 wouldnt be what Givony says in a tweet. Ill take the PR answer and ask for the police report to look over.

But ya my bigger concern with Miller and what I would be asking him about his what changed the 2nd half of the season on the court which led to him playing so bad? The 2nd half of his season (last 19 games), his shooting splits were 39/31/88 and he had a 1:1 assist to turnover ratio. And the fact that he isnt some big plus athlete, it is a little concerning to me that it seems like colleges were able to figure him out pretty well and he didnt have an answer to it.

Obviously not saying I dont think he is lotto or 1st round worthy or anything. Just wasnt impressed with his play the 2nd half of the season is all.

Lockdown504090 · Post #52 » by **Lockdown504090** » Mon May 29, 2023 1:15 am

amcoolio wrote:

Read on Twitter

Vibes are way off in this interview. That was a similar response to Bridges and Morant after their troubles. I understand that he can't say much because of the legal system but yeesh, those are not the vibes I want out of a #2 pick. Charlotte can't draft this guy.

What if an eye witness wants to say they saw him do something illegal? What is they just want t ok extort him?. Team tied up with his crap for like 2 years. I can’t touch this guy till like pick 5 or 6 personally.

CptCrunch · Post #53 » by **CptCrunch** » Mon May 29, 2023 2:47 am

Miller cannot express 'guilt' or 'responsibility' in laymens' terms in his statements. He for example should not state that he feels remorse for his actions that lead to the homicide, which is what most people would want to hear given that his actions directly lead to the death of another individual.

I'm calling it here, Miller is getting sued in civil court the week after he gets drafted. NBA legal isn't dumb and every team's legal is asking their GM if they want this associated with this.

Jalen Carter's case was street racing. Dumb, irresponsible but street racing. Carter's car didn't crash. The driver of the crashed car carrying the dead recruit was a UGA football staffer (who also died). Carter is being sue in civil court for $40 mln right now. The most police could charge this dumb ass was driving related offenses. I personally feel that Miller is 2000% more responsible for the homicide than Carter is for a death resulting from drunk street racing. The talent is there, though I don't know how much Miller should be discounted. I'm guessing there are NBA teams that won't touch him out of principle alone.

azcatz11 · Post #54 » by **azcatz11** » Mon May 29, 2023 3:54 am

Based off everything I've read about this - he didn't do anything wrong. The amount of false information is pretty staggering also.

I think what's hurt him severely were the actions of the Alabama HC. He really did no one any favors and acted like an immature, entitled kid. Seems like a lot of the vitriol was a by-product of that whole situation.

Honestly, even though he did nothing wrong, he should have been suspended the rest of the season. It's just really bad optics IMO but I doubt any team is going to drop him since he literally did nothing wrong.

Big J · Post #55 » by **Big J** » Mon May 29, 2023 3:40 pm

I could see Miller sliding to like 6-8 because owners just don't want the bad PR.

GreatWhiteStiff · Post #56 » by **GreatWhiteStiff** » Mon May 29, 2023 7:35 pm

SeattleJazzFan wrote:this is funny. scoot has been the #2 pick for two years and has stayed there. now givony is saying 60% Brandon Miller at #2, 40% Scoot. so he has replaced Scoot at #2, but he's not in good shape and he has interviewed poorly. how the hell has he replaced Scoot at #2 if he's looking so bad. just doesn't add up. dumb.

This one is easy he had a better last season than scoot.

GreatWhiteStiff · Post #57 » by **GreatWhiteStiff** » Mon May 29, 2023 7:38 pm

Duke4life831 wrote:Meh my bigger concern with Miller if I was a team in the top 5 wouldnt be what Givony says in a tweet. Ill take the PR answer and ask for the police report to look over.

But ya my bigger concern with Miller and what I would be asking him about his what changed the 2nd half of the season on the court which led to him playing so bad? The 2nd half of his season (last 19 games), his shooting splits were 39/31/88 and he had a 1:1 assist to turnover ratio. And the fact that he isnt some big plus athlete, it is a little concerning to me that it seems like colleges were able to figure him out pretty well and he didnt have an answer to it.

Obviously not saying I dont think he is lotto or 1st round worthy or anything. Just wasnt impressed with his play the 2nd half of the season is all.

What was his 2pt% over that stretch of problematic games? Seems likely to me he mostly just ran hotter in three point shooting over a portion of a singular college season which is probably and very easily a result of statistical vairance/streakiness. I also don't really trust college teams to be able to expertly game plan for a single player and take away his strengths over the course of a single season...but I'm a casual, so perhaps they do it all the time.

clyde21 · Post #58 » by **clyde21** » Mon May 29, 2023 8:27 pm

Miller's season was weird, iirc he started off hot, then cooled down quickly and was missing everything inside, then once conference play started he got hot again, and then played bad in the tournament

i probably would've settled with him at #4 if he was a bit more consistent thru out the year.

SeattleJazzFan · Post #59 » by **SeattleJazzFan** » Tue May 30, 2023 8:11 pm

GreatWhiteStiff wrote:
SeattleJazzFan wrote:this is funny. scoot has been the #2 pick for two years and has stayed there. now givony is saying 60% Brandon Miller at #2, 40% Scoot. so he has replaced Scoot at #2, but he's not in good shape and he has interviewed poorly. how the hell has he replaced Scoot at #2 if he's looking so bad. just doesn't add up. dumb.

This one is easy he had a better last season than scoot.

you missed the point. until the combine everybody still had scoot at #2. your answer would make sense if people were moving miller ahead 2 or three months ago. it's only been the last month you've seen ubiquitous miller at #2 talk.

Hal14 · Post #60 » by **Hal14** » Tue May 30, 2023 8:59 pm

Duke4life831 wrote:Meh my bigger concern with Miller if I was a team in the top 5 wouldnt be what Givony says in a tweet. Ill take the PR answer and ask for the police report to look over.

But ya my bigger concern with Miller and what I would be asking him about his what changed the 2nd half of the season on the court which led to him playing so bad? The 2nd half of his season (last 19 games), his shooting splits were 39/31/88 and he had a 1:1 assist to turnover ratio. And the fact that he isnt some big plus athlete, it is a little concerning to me that it seems like colleges were able to figure him out pretty well and he didnt have an answer to it.

Obviously not saying I dont think he is lotto or 1st round worthy or anything. Just wasnt impressed with his play the 2nd half of the season is all.

1) The competition obviously gets harder as you go through the SEC gauntlet and face better competition and more pressure in the NCAA tournament, compared to non conference games early in the season

2) He had a groin injury late in the season as well