Kentucky Wildcat Basketball: The WBN talks to New Orleans Hornet Darius Miller

Darius Miller recently spoke to Wildcat Blue Nation.

October 1, 2012; Westwego, LA, USA; New Orleans Hornets small forward Darius Miller (2) poses for a portrait during media day at the Alario Center. Image Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

Daniel Solzman: Darius, thanks for joining Wildcat Blue Nation. How are things treating you in New Orleans?

Darius Miller: Really good. I got a lot of great teammates and great coaching staff so it’s been a pretty good experience for me. We’re getting better as a team so I’m having a lot of fun.

Daniel Solzman: How has adjusting to life in the NBA compare to the four years spent at Kentucky?

Darius Miller: It’s different. You have a responsibility. You’re on your own. You got to make sure you take care of your own stuff but it’s a lot of fun. As I said, it’s a great experience to be a part of something like this.

Daniel Solzman: How much has being with Anthony Davis, a guy that you played with in college, helped in your transition to the NBA?

Darius Miller: It’s helped a lot. Going through this with somebody else that I’ve grown close to, we’ve both experienced similar things so just having somebody right there by your side experience the same things, somebody you can talk to, it helps a lot.

Daniel Solzman: As a senior last season, what did young yet talented players like Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Terrence Jones learn from you to make them more prepared to compete at such a high level?

Darius Miller: Honestly, they were pretty good coming in. I just tried to help them with the little stuff in the transition from high school to college. I didn’t have to do too much. They were extremely talented, had a great work ethic, and they were good guys. I had the easy job.

Daniel Solzman: During the preseason games, what has it been like playing against your former teammates?

Darius Miller: A lot of fun being on the other side. Going up against someone very talented is always fun. Being on the court and on the other side, it seems like practice again at Kentucky.

Daniel Solzman: What kind of life lessons did UK Coach John Calipari teach you that will stick with you for the rest of your life?

Darius Miller: Off the court? I don’t know. A lot of stuff, honestly, I learned from the coaching staff at Kentucky so I don’t really know if I can narrow it down to a few things.

Daniel Solzman: How does it feel to be the only player in Kentucky Wildcats basketball history to win the state championship, Mr. Basketball, and an NCAA championship?

Darius Miller: I’ve just been blessed to be in really good situations to be totally honest. At Kentucky, at Mason County, a lot of talented players that have helped me out a long the way so it’s just a blessing: special opportunities that I’ve been in.

Daniel Solzman: How does Hornets coach Monty Williams’ coaching style compare to that of John Calipari?

Darius Miller: They’re similar. Both are really intense. Both tend to be a defensive team first so it’s similar. Of course, they have different systems on offense but on defense, it’s similar. You need to play defensive plays.

Daniel Solzman: Have you had a chance to watch All Access Kentucky on ESPN?

Darius Miller: No, I haven’t had a chance to see it. I really need to check it out though. I haven’t had a chance to look at it.

Daniel Solzman: How does the media in New Orleans compare to what you saw as a player for Kentucky?

Darius Miller: It’s kind a different, too. So many markets here in the NBA so I think it’s a little bit bigger than it was at Kentucky.

Daniel Solzman: What is something that you love to do for fun?

Darius Miller: Watch movies—besides playing basketball, watch movies!

Daniel Solzman: Is there any particular movie you’ve seen lately?

Darius Miller: I’ve seen a lot of movies.

Daniel Solzman: Anything stick out?

Darius Miller: Wallace is a pretty good movie.

Daniel Solzman: If you were not playing basketball, what do you think you would be doing?

Darius Miller: I don’t know. Probably something with movies.

Daniel Solzman: How did it feel to score the first points of your NBA career?

Darius Miller: It was an amazing feeling. I don’t really know if I can put it into words. It’s a dream come true. I’ve always wanted to play in the league so just getting an opportunity to get in and score, it means a lot to me and my family.