The 2023 NBA Draft saw Michael Jordan and the Charlotte Hornets make a controversial pick. The Hornets used their second overall pick to draft Brandon Miller. A pick that received boos from the Charlotte faithful. After all, Miller, although highly rated was no Victor Wembanyama, nor was he Scoot Henderson, the player fans hoped would be selected. But, while fans aren’t happy, Stephen A. Smith has defended the $41,100,000 selection on the Stephen A. Smith Show. In particular, mentioning tennis star Naomi Osaka and comparing her mental fortitude with that of Miller’s.
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Stephen A highlighted the mental strength Brandon has displayed over the last year or so. Miller was surrounded by controversy, but never let it get to his said. Displaying a mentality that many teams in the NBA, let alone any team in spectator sports looks for.
Stephen A. Smith defends Michael Jordan’s selection of Brandon Miller by bringing up Naomi Osaka
The selection of Brandon Miller was the subject of much criticism from NBA fans. The Alabama prospect was selected ahead of Scoot Henderson, the man many believed was the surefire No.2 overall pick. In fact, Miller’s drafting was welcomed with boos from the Charlotte Hornets fans. It has now been a few weeks since the 2023 NBA Draft and fans are still questioning the decision.
Scoot would have made sense for Michael Jordan and the Hornets, but Miller has left many bewildered. However, there are those who believe in what Miller has to offer. One such supporter of the selection is Stephen A. Smith. Although usually critical, Smith believes the Brandon Miller selection is a superb decision by both MJ and the Hornets franchise.
Stephen A. claims that while Henderson is special, Miller’s mental fortitude makes up for it. He believes that Miller has the mentality that most sports teams look for, citing his performances for Alabama amidst controversy surrounding his involvement in a capital murder charge. He even made mention of Naomi Osaka, who made headlines after her emotional reaction to heckling at The Indian Wells Masters.
“When you got that kind of intestinal fortitude under that face of adversity… that’s what NBA scouts and evaluators look for. That’s what people in all professional sports look forward to. They want that! Because they expect adversity. They expect adversity! That’s why it was a storyline when someone like Naomi Osaka was crying because of the ridicule she might have been getting from the fans or questions she might have been getting from the media. Not to sit up there and knock her for it… because I’m not, because everybody’s got their own issues.”
While Smith clarified he isn’t taking a shot at Osaka, his comparison highlights the kind of mental strength Miller possesses. And, although his $41,100,000 contract is massive, there is hope that Jordan’s last selection as majority owner of the Hornets will thrive in the NBA.
Several NBA superstars have discussed the pressures of playing in the NBA
Stephen A. Smith has it right when he says that Brandon Miller has shown incredible fortitude with his performances in college under pressure. However, the NBA is a whole other ball game, where several superstars have struggled to deal with the weight of expectations. From Kevin Love to DeMar DeRozan, and most recently Ben Simmons.
Miller will certainly take his time acclimatizing to his new NBA surroundings. But, he does have a bright future. He is a strong, do-it-all wing, and with LaMelo Ball there to help him out, the duo should achieve great things together with the Charlotte Hornets.
