Brandon Miller - Alabama

[KingCat]

The difference between a Danny Granger and a Paul George: ballhandling, passing, court vision. Most specifically, the first 2 in this case.

Now you add defense to a Paul George and you have a perennial All-Star, sometimes All-NBA player. Granger is (was) the guy who got a couple of All-Star berths in his whole career, but even without the injuries would never reach the level of a Paul George.

In Tatum's case, you have his absurdly fantastic footwork. That's what makes him an All-NBA, borderline MVP-level talent... besides what else I said above.

Now why I'm typing all of this? Brandon Miller doesn't have those 5 atributes, but there's a pathway for him to improve with the tools he already has, and develop into that echeleon of player. Will he reach that? I don't know, evaluating prospects is not an exact science.

Having said that, I like his makeup as a player and somehow, I don't know why, I sense some Kobe mentality in the way he plays. I'd not be surprised if he develops to an All-NBA level within his 5th year.

Aren't Tatum and (pre injury) PG 13 significantly better athletes?

Miller's poor first step/lack of burst is my biggest on court concern about him

[vincecarter4pres]

comparisons to Tatum make little sense. He's an MPJ, Jabari, Grant, and Isaac type. He won't be a #1 but could be a very good #2 on the right team.

Still like the Rashard Lewis comp - even if its more of a overall talent level comp than a player comparison (IE Miller isnt as limited handling as Lewis, while Rashard was a much better post scorer - that turn around was money).

Maybe more Kuzma if anything.

[vincecarter4pres]

The difference between a Danny Granger and a Paul George: ballhandling, passing, court vision. Most specifically, the first 2 in this case.

Now you add defense to a Paul George and you have a perennial All-Star, sometimes All-NBA player. Granger is (was) the guy who got a couple of All-Star berths in his whole career, but even without the injuries would never reach the level of a Paul George.

In Tatum's case, you have his absurdly fantastic footwork. That's what makes him an All-NBA, borderline MVP-level talent... besides what else I said above.

Now why I'm typing all of this? Brandon Miller doesn't have those 5 atributes, but there's a pathway for him to improve with the tools he already has, and develop into that echeleon of player. Will he reach that? I don't know, evaluating prospects is not an exact science.

Having said that, I like his makeup as a player and somehow, I don't know why, I sense some Kobe mentality in the way he plays. I'd not be surprised if he develops to an All-NBA level within his 5th year.

Aren't Tatum and (pre injury) PG 13 significantly better athletes?

Miller's poor first step/lack of burst is my biggest on court concern about him

Paul George was considered a straight up freak athlete coming out of Fresno State.

[Big J]

The difference between a Danny Granger and a Paul George: ballhandling, passing, court vision. Most specifically, the first 2 in this case.

Now you add defense to a Paul George and you have a perennial All-Star, sometimes All-NBA player. Granger is (was) the guy who got a couple of All-Star berths in his whole career, but even without the injuries would never reach the level of a Paul George.

In Tatum's case, you have his absurdly fantastic footwork. That's what makes him an All-NBA, borderline MVP-level talent... besides what else I said above.

Now why I'm typing all of this? Brandon Miller doesn't have those 5 atributes, but there's a pathway for him to improve with the tools he already has, and develop into that echeleon of player. Will he reach that? I don't know, evaluating prospects is not an exact science.

Having said that, I like his makeup as a player and somehow, I don't know why, I sense some Kobe mentality in the way he plays. I'd not be surprised if he develops to an All-NBA level within his 5th year.

Aren't Tatum and (pre injury) PG 13 significantly better athletes?

Miller's poor first step/lack of burst is my biggest on court concern about him

PG13 was a better athlete, but Tatum is a completely average athlete.

[GSWFan1994]

Aren't Tatum and (pre injury) PG 13 significantly better athletes?

Miller's poor first step/lack of burst is my biggest on court concern about him

Yes, I think so. And I agree with your 2nd sentence.

What I meant is, Miller doesn't have to fit the same mold as them, to reach an equivalent level.

I see Miller as someone who's very crafty with the ball, despite the physical limitations. Watching tape of him, I feel like he gets the shot he wants. He simply knows how to play the game, that's how I would describe it.

19/8/2 + 1,8 stocks as a freshman is no joke. Then you include everything he went through off the court, and I think he must have a strong mental fortitude to keep playing amidst all that.

A slight red flag I've on him is 48% on 2 pts... this is not an ideal cut-off number, but it's not that bad either.

Miller's tall for his position, very good shooter, good ballhandling and playmaking... I don't know, there have been way worse options at the top of the draft compared to him.

[GSWFan1994]

PG13 was a better athlete, but Tatum is a completely average athlete.

Do you think Tatum is better than say, a Harrison Barnes as an athlete?

Because I think even Barnes is not an average one per NBA standards.

An average one is someone like Dorian Finney-Smith, for God's sake.

Tatum, though not elite, is far, far above average.

[ItsDanger]

I think being able to get to your spots while creating separation is more important to being athletic. That lasts a lot longer, relying on speed and burst isn't always the best attribute come playoff time.

[Big J]

PG13 was a better athlete, but Tatum is a completely average athlete.

Do you think Tatum is better than say, a Harrison Barnes as an athlete?

Because I think even Barnes is not an average one per NBA standards.

An average one is someone like Dorian Finney-Smith, for God's sake.

Tatum, though not elite, is far, far above average.

What does Tatum do that is above average? He doesn't jump super high, he's not particularly quick or fast. He's very skilled with his handle and shot for a guy his size, but athletically he's honestly not that much more athletic than a guy like Luka.

[GSWFan1994]

What does Tatum do that is above average? He doesn't jump super high, he's not particularly quick or fast. He's very skilled with his handle and shot for a guy his size, but athletically he's honestly not that much more athletic than a guy like Luka.

I mean, if you really think Tatum and Luka are similar as far as athletic skills, then I don't know what to say...

[Big J]

What does Tatum do that is above average? He doesn't jump super high, he's not particularly quick or fast. He's very skilled with his handle and shot for a guy his size, but athletically he's honestly not that much more athletic than a guy like Luka.

I mean, if you really think Tatum and Luka are similar as far as athletic skills, then I don't know what to say...

What athletic traits does Tatum have that he’s above average in? It’s damn sure not leaping or speed.

[HiDef]

What does Tatum do that is above average? He doesn't jump super high, he's not particularly quick or fast. He's very skilled with his handle and shot for a guy his size, but athletically he's honestly not that much more athletic than a guy like Luka.

I mean, if you really think Tatum and Luka are similar as far as athletic skills, then I don't know what to say...

What athletic traits does Tatum have that he’s above average in? It’s damn sure not leaping or speed.

Shifty, quick, strong, springy, balance, body control, insane coordination. His body is like a giant corkscrew he can throw around however he wants. He's pretty fast and explosive for his size

[Big J]

I mean, if you really think Tatum and Luka are similar as far as athletic skills, then I don't know what to say...

What athletic traits does Tatum have that he’s above average in? It’s damn sure not leaping or speed.

Shifty, quick, strong, springy, balance, body control, insane coordination. His body is like a giant corkscrew he can throw around however he wants. He's pretty fast and explosive for his size

He does have elite balance & body control I will give him that, but the other things he's pretty middle of the pack as far as general athleticism is concerned.

[Dame Lizard]

I mean, if you really think Tatum and Luka are similar as far as athletic skills, then I don't know what to say...

What athletic traits does Tatum have that he’s above average in? It’s damn sure not leaping or speed.

Shifty, quick, strong, springy, balance, body control, insane coordination. His body is like a giant corkscrew he can throw around however he wants. He's pretty fast and explosive for his size

People are really underating Tatum's athleticism here. He's actually a good athlete. Sure, he isn't LeBron or Anthony Edwards, but he's quite athletic compared to the genuine NBA average for a player of his size.

[mattao313]

What athletic traits does Tatum have that he’s above average in? It’s damn sure not leaping or speed.

Shifty, quick, strong, springy, balance, body control, insane coordination. His body is like a giant corkscrew he can throw around however he wants. He's pretty fast and explosive for his size

People are really underating Tatum's athleticism here. He's actually a good athlete. Sure, he isn't LeBron or Anthony Edwards, but he's quite athletic compared to the genuine NBA average for a player of his size.

No he isn't he's pretty average he's just really skilled and is a huge oversized perimeter player.

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[Dame Lizard]

Shifty, quick, strong, springy, balance, body control, insane coordination. His body is like a giant corkscrew he can throw around however he wants. He's pretty fast and explosive for his size

People are really underating Tatum's athleticism here. He's actually a good athlete. Sure, he isn't LeBron or Anthony Edwards, but he's quite athletic compared to the genuine NBA average for a player of his size.

No he isn't he's pretty average he's just really skilled and is a huge oversized perimeter player.

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But isn't his size a big consideration when you compare athleticism on a relative basis?

I.e. you compare Tatum's athleticism to the average 6'9" SF/PF combo forward.

You don't compare Nate Robinson's athleticism (first step, vertical jump etc) against Westbrook's, without taking into consideration Westbrook's size....

[HiDef]

What athletic traits does Tatum have that he’s above average in? It’s damn sure not leaping or speed.

Shifty, quick, strong, springy, balance, body control, insane coordination. His body is like a giant corkscrew he can throw around however he wants. He's pretty fast and explosive for his size

He does have elite balance & body control I will give him that, but the other things he's pretty middle of the pack as far as general athleticism is concerned.

The "shiftiness" is elite. Sidesteps, rip throughs and such

[3toheadmelo]

Tatum was a significantly better prospect than Miller. I don’t really see the comparison

[Big J]

Tatum was a significantly better prospect than Miller. I don’t really see the comparison

If Tatum was seen as such a great prospect he wouldn't have gone 3rd behind Fultz & Lonzo.

[3toheadmelo]

Tatum was a significantly better prospect than Miller. I don’t really see the comparison

If Tatum was seen as such a great prospect he wouldn't have gone 3rd behind Fultz & Lonzo.

Boston had the #1 pick and traded down for Tatum.

Are the spurs going to trade down for Miller?

[Big J]

Tatum was a significantly better prospect than Miller. I don’t really see the comparison

If Tatum was seen as such a great prospect he wouldn't have gone 3rd behind Fultz & Lonzo.

Boston had the #1 pick and traded down for Tatum.

Are the spurs going to trade down for Miller?

There wasn't a freaking Wemby in Tatums draft.