The Official Leonard Miller Thread

[minimus]

I guess the biggest question is now: what can be his projected role. Point forward ala Anderson? Do-it-all combo forward ala Jeff Green? Poor man Giannis? Poor man Siakam?

My best guess is a point-forward with Giannis' finishing and Siakam's mid-range game

I would not be surprised if he completely abandons mid range like Naz. What I really hope is that he can learn short roll passing in offense and develops into spot up 3 shooter. In defense just be solid all around defender

[BlacJacMac]

I mean worst case scenario, didn't we just draft a bigger Jared Vanderbilt? And I mean worst case scenario as in what you see is what he is. Hustle heart defense and rebounding and dunks

And with actual hands at the ends of his arms.

[Macwolf527]

I have to be honest, I had no clue who Miller was coming into the draft. However, after looking at some of the highlight videos on him, I like what I see. First, it's painfully obvious he's still coming into his body. He's a smooth athlete, but looks gangly at times moving with and without the ball. That late growth spurt must have a lot to do with that. If he keeps that motor, he's going to be a handful once he matures and gets stronger. He's flopping past people right now, but once his coordination catches up with his size, it's a wrap. He's already a beast on the boards, and added strength will only amplify this. He can make a living off crashing the offensive glass and putbacks.

The other thing I'm pleased with is his handles. When he puts the ball on the floor, it's tight to his body and he has it on a string. It will be hard to guard him with big players because of this skill. Lastly, close to 80% from the free throw line. This says a lot about his shooting ability. I think the awkwardness of his shot also goes back to the growth spurt. He may not become a knockdown shooter, but with time I can see him developing a shot that forces the defense to close out on him, thus opening up the drive. It may be more of a set shot than a jump shot, but whatever works.

[KGdaBom]

He reminds me of Bobby Portis Jr. I’d be happy if he gets Nathan Knight’s roster spot.

Hey Krapinsky. I agree. How you been.

[KGdaBom]

Minnesota was desperately trying to trade up the last two days, so cool to see who they were pursuing so aggressively.

Did we make that deal before or after Nick Smith was drafted? If so he definitely could have been the target.

[Krapinsky]

He reminds me of Bobby Portis Jr. I’d be happy if he gets Nathan Knight’s roster spot.

Hey Krapinsky. I agree. How you been.

I'm all good over here. I have a 10 month old keeping me busy these days so not too much time for heated Wolves debates.

[Krapinsky]

Here is an article from last year that got me excited about Miller a year ago.

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2022/05/nba-draft-leonard-miller-kentucky-arizona-g-league-ignite-overtime-elite

[KGdaBom]

Here is an article from last year that got me excited about Miller a year ago.

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2022/05/nba-draft-leonard-miller-kentucky-arizona-g-league-ignite-overtime-elite

Quite an intriguing article. Thanks.

[Calinks]

Love that he's Canadian, might get to see him on the international scene now and then and I was already rooting for team Canada.

[Colbinii]

I guess the biggest question is now: what can be his projected role. Point forward ala Anderson? Do-it-all combo forward ala Jeff Green? Poor man Giannis? Poor man Siakam?

My best guess is a point-forward with Giannis' finishing and Siakam's mid-range game

Huh?

Assuming he doesn't just completely flame out like Jarrett Culver, Miller's first, low-end comparison should be our beloved Jared Vanderbilt.

Their measurables are similar [Height, Length and Reach] with Leonard being slightly larger. Leonard isn't quite the energizer [from what we have seen] as a player nicknamed V8--but thats okay.

Now, where things truly get interesting, is the touch Leonard has. Leonard has an excellent touch for his size. He makes reads quickly and can pass to the open man on a consistent basis. These two skills are examples of why Leonards ceiling is much higher than V8, who is best as a 6-8 man, high energy and excellent defender.

While Leonard has a higher ceiling, lets not jump to Giannis and Siakam--Leonard will never realistically be that good--and thats okay.

His skill-set projects him to be able to become closer to Jaden McDaniels than Jared Vanderbilt, which is huge, because once you start seeing those skills [notably shooting touch, dribble game and simple passing reads] it opens up a ton of doors as a potential player [See Mikal Bridges in Brooklyn].

I'm pumped for Leonard Miller--but let's cool it on the Giannis/Siakam comps.

[Calinks]

It’ll be interesting to see Minott vs Miller next season. Similar type of guys. Miller better handle. Minott better defensively/maybe athletically. I think whichever one learns to shoot more consistently could get some of those combo forward minutes off the bench, especially in games where one of Anderson, Naz, etc are out.

Summer league is looking like Must see TV!

[KGdaBom]

I guess the biggest question is now: what can be his projected role. Point forward ala Anderson? Do-it-all combo forward ala Jeff Green? Poor man Giannis? Poor man Siakam?

My best guess is a point-forward with Giannis' finishing and Siakam's mid-range game

Huh?

Assuming he doesn't just completely flame out like Jarrett Culver, Miller's first, low-end comparison should be our beloved Jared Vanderbilt.

Their measurables are similar [Height, Length and Reach] with Leonard being slightly larger. Leonard isn't quite the energizer [from what we have seen] as a player nicknamed V8--but thats okay.

Now, where things truly get interesting, is the touch Leonard has. Leonard has an excellent touch for his size. He makes reads quickly and can pass to the open man on a consistent basis. These two skills are examples of why Leonards ceiling is much higher than V8, who is best as a 6-8 man, high energy and excellent defender.

While Leonard has a higher ceiling, lets not jump to Giannis and Siakam--Leonard will never realistically be that good--and thats okay.

His skill-set projects him to be able to become closer to Jaden McDaniels than Jared Vanderbilt, which is huge, because once you start seeing those skills [notably shooting touch, dribble game and simple passing reads] it opens up a ton of doors as a potential player [See Mikal Bridges in Brooklyn].

I'm pumped for Leonard Miller--but let's cool it on the Giannis/Siakam comps.

Those were out of control
V8 with better offense is probably the best way to describe him and I like that.

[KGdaBom]

It’ll be interesting to see Minott vs Miller next season. Similar type of guys. Miller better handle. Minott better defensively/maybe athletically. I think whichever one learns to shoot more consistently could get some of those combo forward minutes off the bench, especially in games where one of Anderson, Naz, etc are out.

Summer league is looking like Must see TV!

When does it start.

[Devilzsidewalk]

I guess the biggest question is now: what can be his projected role. Point forward ala Anderson? Do-it-all combo forward ala Jeff Green? Poor man Giannis? Poor man Siakam?

My best guess is a point-forward with Giannis' finishing and Siakam's mid-range game

Huh?

Assuming he doesn't just completely flame out like Jarrett Culver, Miller's first, low-end comparison should be our beloved Jared Vanderbilt.

Their measurables are similar [Height, Length and Reach] with Leonard being slightly larger. Leonard isn't quite the energizer [from what we have seen] as a player nicknamed V8--but thats okay.

Now, where things truly get interesting, is the touch Leonard has. Leonard has an excellent touch for his size. He makes reads quickly and can pass to the open man on a consistent basis. These two skills are examples of why Leonards ceiling is much higher than V8, who is best as a 6-8 man, high energy and excellent defender.

While Leonard has a higher ceiling, lets not jump to Giannis and Siakam--Leonard will never realistically be that good--and thats okay.

His skill-set projects him to be able to become closer to Jaden McDaniels than Jared Vanderbilt, which is huge, because once you start seeing those skills [notably shooting touch, dribble game and simple passing reads] it opens up a ton of doors as a potential player [See Mikal Bridges in Brooklyn].

I'm pumped for Leonard Miller--but let's cool it on the Giannis/Siakam comps.

I'll cool down nothing. Also Jaren Jackson's defense.

[Calinks]

It’ll be interesting to see Minott vs Miller next season. Similar type of guys. Miller better handle. Minott better defensively/maybe athletically. I think whichever one learns to shoot more consistently could get some of those combo forward minutes off the bench, especially in games where one of Anderson, Naz, etc are out.

Summer league is looking like Must see TV!

When does it start.

Looks like for us it's 7/7/23. Two weeks.

[KGdaBom]

My best guess is a point-forward with Giannis' finishing and Siakam's mid-range game

Huh?

Assuming he doesn't just completely flame out like Jarrett Culver, Miller's first, low-end comparison should be our beloved Jared Vanderbilt.

Their measurables are similar [Height, Length and Reach] with Leonard being slightly larger. Leonard isn't quite the energizer [from what we have seen] as a player nicknamed V8--but thats okay.

Now, where things truly get interesting, is the touch Leonard has. Leonard has an excellent touch for his size. He makes reads quickly and can pass to the open man on a consistent basis. These two skills are examples of why Leonards ceiling is much higher than V8, who is best as a 6-8 man, high energy and excellent defender.

While Leonard has a higher ceiling, lets not jump to Giannis and Siakam--Leonard will never realistically be that good--and thats okay.

His skill-set projects him to be able to become closer to Jaden McDaniels than Jared Vanderbilt, which is huge, because once you start seeing those skills [notably shooting touch, dribble game and simple passing reads] it opens up a ton of doors as a potential player [See Mikal Bridges in Brooklyn].

I'm pumped for Leonard Miller--but let's cool it on the Giannis/Siakam comps.

I'll cool down nothing. Also Jaren Jackson's defense.

[KGdaBom]

Summer league is looking like Must see TV!

When does it start.

Looks like for us it's 7/7/23. Two weeks.

That's way too long to wait.

[KGdaBom]

Apparently we can't talk about Miller yet. Here's Tim Connelly discussing the draft.

Watch on YouTube

[Norseman79]

So I am guessing the rosters have to be announced soon they usually get at least a week week and a half to practice before starting

[Macwolf527]

I guess the biggest question is now: what can be his projected role. Point forward ala Anderson? Do-it-all combo forward ala Jeff Green? Poor man Giannis? Poor man Siakam?

My best guess is a point-forward with Giannis' finishing and Siakam's mid-range game

Huh?

Assuming he doesn't just completely flame out like Jarrett Culver, Miller's first, low-end comparison should be our beloved Jared Vanderbilt.

Their measurables are similar [Height, Length and Reach] with Leonard being slightly larger. Leonard isn't quite the energizer [from what we have seen] as a player nicknamed V8--but thats okay.

Now, where things truly get interesting, is the touch Leonard has. Leonard has an excellent touch for his size. He makes reads quickly and can pass to the open man on a consistent basis. These two skills are examples of why Leonards ceiling is much higher than V8, who is best as a 6-8 man, high energy and excellent defender.

While Leonard has a higher ceiling, lets not jump to Giannis and Siakam--Leonard will never realistically be that good--and thats okay.

His skill-set projects him to be able to become closer to Jaden McDaniels than Jared Vanderbilt, which is huge, because once you start seeing those skills [notably shooting touch, dribble game and simple passing reads] it opens up a ton of doors as a potential player [See Mikal Bridges in Brooklyn].

I'm pumped for Leonard Miller--but let's cool it on the Giannis/Siakam comps.

Why put the ceiling on the young man? He could excel at a high level. Giannis might be asking for a lot, but Siakam is well within his range and if he develops a solid jumper, who knows what levels he'll reach. I just like that he has skills and a great motor. You will not have to tell him to "GO", you'll have to tell him to "SLOWDOWN".