Brandon Miller’s Mid-Range Masterclass
The 2023/24 season has been like Groundhog day for the Charlotte Hornets, an injury plagued season obscuring any signs of progress. Thankfully, rookie Brandon Miller's performance has provided a necessary endorphin boost. Miller is on course to make the "Rising Stars" challenge at All-Star weekend and looks to have a chance to make the All-Rookie First Team. The biggest relief is he has clearly outplayed 3rd overall pick Scoot Henderson. Miller is averaging 13.9 points 3.7 rebounds 2.2 assists while shooting 42% from the field and 37.6% from three.
Despite being known for his three point stroke in College, it's Miller's mid-range game which has raised eye brows in the NBA, including Steve Clifford who exclusively discussed his development as a scorer with AllHornets.com.
Steve Clifford - "He scores off the dribble, but he scores off the catch too. A good part of that which I think he's improved on is moving without the ball. A lot of his better plays offensively are set up because he's so smart off the ball and he's good at reading the defence."
When asked about Miller's advanced skill level, Clifford marvelled at his ability to stop, pivot and make plays.
Steve Clifford - "He'll stop and he'll play off two feet, which is what most of the really elite scores do." When asked if he sees any similarities with Kevin Durant who Clifford was around in Brooklyn he replied "He (Kevin Durant) is one of the great scores of our era. So I mean, all that stuff will play out. But you know, in terms of the pivot game, and being able to play it differently eras on the floor, there's definitely similarities." For Miller to reach his ceiling as a mid-range scorer, Clifford believes there is one key weakness holding him back, quite literally. "I think the strength part will be a game changer".
According to Synergy, Miller is shooting 40.4% on all dribble jumpers between 17ft-3pt line, that puts him into the 48th percentile which grades out as "Average" per Synergy. His "Runner" is only converting at 31.7%, but that's a skill few 6-9 rookies enter into the league with at all. Although Miller's mid-range percentages are only modest, it's the degree of difficulty which has earned plaudits.
Despite a reputation as a mid-range scorer in high school, Miller's foray into the mid-range at Alabama was as rare as a politician telling the truth. As you can see in his College shot chart below, Miller was under strict orders from Alabama Head Coach Nate Oats to get to the rim or shoot threes.
Brandon Miller's 2022-23 Shot Chart at Alabama
Once in the NBA Miller revisited to his mid-range game with 35% of his shot attempts coming from that area of the floor. Miller, who exclusively spoke to Schuyler Callihan of AllHornets.com, is thankful he has the support of his coaches to take those shots
Brandon Miller - "If you see any room I think that's kind of the right time to shoot a mid-range, I think the coaches that we have now nobody's gonna get mad.I think everybody could take it as a great shot and be comfortable with."
Some have levied criticism at Charlotte's shot profile which to start the year was mid-range heavy. But for Miller specifically, Clifford is supportive of his shot diet.
Steve Clifford - "I totally understand the (Ideal) shot profile, it makes sense by the numbers. But I don't agree that players should not mid-range shots. Now they have to be efficient at it, which he (Miller) is, and he will be... Even the great scorers, they're going to have games where they go 0-5, to me if their comfort level is a 17 foot pull up, that's what you want them to get to. Because guys like him that are so talented, they only need to make one or two and they're right back in rhythm. I think kind of limiting them with what shots that they can take, you have to be careful of.
Miller has a Mary Poppins sized bag of moves, tricks and counters to generate his mid-range attempts, when asked he revealed his favorite "Go to" move
Brandon Miller - "My favorite (mid-range move) would probably be the stepback, I do that one a lot. I do that when my ankles feel great. But if they're not feeling too great I’m shooting over somebody."
Miller's footwork, touch and processing of what the defense gives and takes away is elite for someone of his age. Looking at the best mid-range scorer in the league today's age 20 seasons shows reason to believe Miller could develop into one of the premier mid-range scorers in the NBA.
| Mid-Range Shooting Percentage | Mid-Range Frequency | |
|---|---|---|
Brandon Miller | 38% | 40% |
Paul George | 43% | 31% |
Kevin Durant | 40% | 57% |
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 42% | 43% |
Devin Booker | 40% | 49% |
Fans will undoubtedly grow frustrated at Miller's struggles to get to the rim, ranking in the 37th percentile in rim attempts and 25th percentile in rim percentage (57%). However, these numbers have sharply dropped since the start of 2024 by between 10-20% in both categories due to Miller battling multiple ankle sprains and illness. Miller is also leading the Hornets in total minutes played which is a contributory factor to his recent drop in efficiency. But could Miller be so good as a scorer outside the paint, could it not even matter?
As a 6'9 forward who shows bouncy athleticism in transition, he often wilts around the rim struggling to finish. Adding strength will help some, but his game going back to high school and College was ever built around interior scoring. Miller is a finesse forward, he's more Khris Middleton than Anthony Edwards, although he is already averaging more rim attempts this season than Middleton has at any point in his career. Miller won't ever live at the rim, but his scoring abilities elsewhere on the floor might mitigate his rim deficiencies to an afterthought.
Brandon Miller Mid-Range Film Breakdown
Rather than have me tell you about it, why not dive into some of Miller's diverse mid-range game film to see what exactly has me so excited.
High Arcing Floater Over Drop Defense
As Miller attacks a driving lane, Sam Hauser rotates well into the paint and contests with good verticality. Miller doesn't try and finish through or round the defender, but opts to put up a soft, high arcing floater. This is the kind of play you expect to see from a Tony Parker-esq guard, not a 6-9 rookie forward.
Slow Down Step Through Contact
Miller finds himself matched up in semi-transition with the smaller 6'2 Marcus Sasser. Miller knows he can shoot over Sasser, but just needs to get to his spot. He drives after a headfake, a subtle push off (He rarely gets called for) and then uses two large slow down steps to create spaces for the soft mid-range shot.
Pass Fake Into Floater
Miller uses a nifty pass fake to Rozier to freeze McCollum who is digging to the nail. This helps to maintain just enough space for Miller to find his sweet spot from 15ft and finish with a floater over Jose Alvarado who was set waiting for a charge.
Step Through Floater Out of Pick & Roll
Miller runs a short corner pick and roll with Richards. Trent Jr has clearly read the scouting report and does well to stay on Miller's shooting side and takeaway the mid-range shot. Miller reads this well and steps through into the space given up by Achiuwa to finish with another floater.
Jump Stop + Left Handed Finish Off Glass Over Mitchel Robinson
This is perhaps my favorite clip of them all. Miller is up against one of the best rim protectors in the NBA in Mitchell Robinson, who had the Hornets in fits all game. Miller yo-yo's the defense by going slow-fast-slow, when he reaches the mid-range he uses a jump stop to solicit a reaction from Robinson who had dropped deep. Miller uses the angle to his advantage to finish round Robinson off the glass with a one handed lefty lay-up. This sort of craft is complex for any player, let alone a rookie.
Step Back Jumper Going Left
Miller isn't unique in having this shot, but it's an necessity for any premium NBA scorer. As smooth as this looks, Miller is shooting just 35.1% while driving left so it's clearly a work in progress compared to going right where he's at 65.1%
Drive Right, Spin Left Fadeaway Jumper
Pascal Siakam is one of the better defending forwards in the league. He plays Miller well on this possession, it's just better offense from the rookie. Despite momentarily losing his balance, Miller still elevates over the 6-10 Siakam and drains the shot.
Pull Up Going Right Over Guard
As mentioned previously, Miller has found success driving right, especially when he finds himself matched up against smaller guards. This is one of the reasons why Miller playing the two might be better for his long-term offensive upside.
Draws Fouls Switched Onto Big
Karl Towns isn't exactly a poster boy on defense, but Miller showed some flash of his footwork and handle to get the opposing big off-balance and draw the foul. I say "flash", because Miller has generally struggled to generate free throw attempts. Strength will definitely help down the road, but so will more experience as he learns how to earn an NBA whistle
Draws Foul In Transition
Kyle Anderson clearly knows the scout and closes out on Miller to take away the shot. Miller reads the over-play and doesn't only drive by but goes into Anderson to draw the foul and contact.
Overall, Brandon Miller's mid-range catalogue is already extensive despite playing less than half an NBA season. In a short number of clips you have seen him making runners to his left and right, step backs going both ways, pivoting his way through aggressive defense, jump stop finishes, drawing fouls, pass fakes, he has shown the ability to do it all.
As Miller gains more NBA experience, learns how teams guard him and gains strength, he will continue to improve his craft. If he can process the game this well as a rookie, imagine what he could look like in years three and four with an improved foundation of strength and a more complimentary context. Miller's intelligence in the mid-range is one of his super power. Fans can look forward to watching him deliver his mid-range masterclass in purple and teal for the foreseeable future.
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