Kentucky Basketball: What role will Darius Miller have for the Pelicans?
Former Kentucky Basketball star Darius Miller has signed a two-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Kentucky Basketball fans hold a special place in their heart for Darius Miller. When the news broke that he would get another shot at the NBA, things got pretty exciting for the BBN.
Miller will join a host of other former Wildcats in The Big Easy. Anthony Davis, Demarcus Cousins as well as Rajon Rondo will highlight the roster. Also, James Young will fight his way onto the roster as well. Miller makes the fifth former Kentucky Basketball player to be signed by the Pelicans.
It seems as though the Pelicans organization loves the Kentucky Basketball pipeline. Just last season, Terrence Jones was a Pelican before being waved after the signing of Demarcus Cousins. Jones is now with the Milwaukee Bucks organization.
The New Orleans Pelicans
When Kentucky won the National Championship in 2012, the Final Four was based in New Orleans. Kentucky Basketball fans called it “Blue” Orleans. Now, the same could be said for the Pelicans. Miller now joins the party in New Orleans.
The Pelicans are a team looking for an edge to compete for a playoff spot. They have two of the best young stars in the game in Anthony Davis and Demarcus Cousins. Darius Miller will enter his second stint as an NBA Player. It just so happens that the same team has given him each of his opportunities. Miller played in 102 games over a two year span from 2012-2014.
Darius Miller is 27 years old. He has played a lot of basketball in his career an has seen it all. The Maysville, Kentucky native is a natural born champion that can bring that championship mentality to New Orleans. Miller is only one of two small forwards currently listed on the Pelicans roster. Solomon Hill, the four year NBA veteran is the other small forward who was the starter last season.
Miller for Three!
At the position, Miller can add a great three point shot. That’s really his game. As a key player on his Brose Baskets team in Germany, he provided bulk scoring mostly from behind the three point line. While with the Pelicans, maybe Miller can carve out his niche in a Kyle Korver type role on the team. NBA Analysts call these types of players “Three and D”. And Darius Miller could fill that void of scoring off of the bench for the Pelicans in 2017. Miller is 6-foot-8 and 225 pounds. He can work on his defensive game in order to defend the best players in the league.
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Players like LeBron James, Kawhi Leanard, and Paul George aren’t going to fold to a guy like Miller. The Pelicans’ newest addition will have to fight his way onto the floor and then fight to defend some of the best players in the game. If he’s up for the challenge he will have a ton of support from Kentucky fans. If Miller finds himself in a big role, New Orleans just might be the first NBA team to establish itself an All-Kentucky starting five.