The rookies, Kobe Sanders and Yanic Konan Niderhauser, have sold a show that has told the LA Clippers their future is brighter than everyone thinks. But what have the former draft picks done? Cam Christie is still learning, Kobe Brown has been confirmed as a talent LA must move on from, and Jordan Miller was somewhere in between, before his latest spurt.
Over the last three games, Miller had one of his two 20-point performances of the season, dropped a flashy 14 points versus the Charlotte Hornets, and scored critically in a six-point win over the Detroit Pistons.
The offensive development he has shown transcends the controversial narrative around the decision to draft him, offering a positive outlook on him as someone who just needed time. Miller has made some incredibly tough baskets, and the bag he has did not come out of nowhere; it is the epitome of what the combination of the G-League and learning from superstars on the active roster can do.
The LA Clippers need Jordan Miller to sustain his excellence
Through his recent contests, Jordan Miller has demonstrated versatility, a perfected handle, and a sneaky three-point jumper that can catch you off guard if you are not prepared for it. He is the perfect sixth man that popped up out of nowhere, coincidentally, weeks before the trade deadline.
Miller had to have made a New Year’s resolution that was like shooting for the stars yet somewhat realistic, as in January, he is averaging 8.7 points and 2.4 rebounds, shooting 51.2% from the field and 44.4% from distance.
Additionally, the Clippers are 4-0 in the New Year when he plays 20 or more minutes.
Moreover, to be at .500 by the trade deadline, then surpass it after the new roster is set, the Clippers need Miller to continue thriving. He is an x-factor, and with his minutes being of good use, Tyronn Lue should not overcomplicate the bench and play the player who is initiating wins; his story should not end, as it did with Yanic Konan Niederhauser following Ivica Zubac’s return.
Miller should also be a factor to consider at the deadline. Not to trade him, but to ensure a new acquisition does not take his time on the court.
That said, Miller is a robust, potential-heavy talent, and the evolution he has made speaks volumes. He chose to learn with a growth mindset, and now his time investment is paying off.