2023 No. 2 pick gives candid admission after exchanging jerseys with his idol, Paul George

21-year-old Charlotte Hornets rookie forward Brandon Miller had a surreal experience on Sunday as he went up against his childhood idol, LA Clippers star wing Paul George, for the first time. In a special moment, Miller and George exchanged jerseys after the game.

Despite Miller’s best efforts, George outperformed him, scoring a game-high and season-high 41 points, along with seven rebounds, four assists, and eight 3-pointers on an impressive 66.7% shooting. As a result, the Clippers were able to secure a 130-118 victory on the road, leading the Hornets by as much as 19 points.

Despite this, Miller managed to have a successful performance against his preferred opponent, scoring 22 points, grabbing six rebounds, dishing out four assists, and sinking five 3-pointers on 42.1% shooting.

Following a postgame jersey exchange with George and engaging in conversation, the 2023 No. 2 pick expressed their enthusiasm for the entire experience.

Miller conveyed his appreciation for the opportunity to compete against George and the Clippers’ other seasoned players, with whom he also faced off for the first time.

“Dream come true. Having your favorite player’s jersey hanging up in your house, I think that’s a great accomplishment,”Miller said. “Really just out here being on the court with those types of guys — [Russell] Westbrook, [Paul George], [James] Harden, Kawhi [Leonard] — I think that’s a blessing.”

Miller went on to discuss his connection with George, with whom he had been likened to since his time at the University of Alabama last year. He mentioned that the nine-time All-Star is like a “big brother”to him and expressed excitement about the opportunity to train with him during the summer.

The 21-year-old further elaborated on why George is his preferred player, emphasizing his impressive ability to make difficult shots and play strong defense.

“I always look for a show when he’s on the court,”Miller said. “He’s a great shot-maker. And not just that. The whole season, he takes pride on the defensive side, and that’s one of the things that stands out for him and his career. I think that’s why my favorite player is Paul George.”

Despite only showing glimpses of his potential as a dominant wing scorer like George, Miller has still proven to be a rising star. On the other hand, George has continued to play at an elite level in his 14th season in the league. As long as neither player experiences any injuries, it is likely that they will continue to engage in intense matchups in the coming years.

Paul George and Brandon Miller: A Comparison

After facing off against Brandon Miller for the first time on Sunday, Paul George was questioned about his thoughts on the Hornets’ rookie. The 33-year-old showered Miller with compliments, expressing his belief that he will become one of the top players in the NBA.

Regarding what George appreciates in Miller’s game, he emphasized his ability to contribute offensively in a variety of ways.

“He can do a little bit of everything,” George said. “He can playmake, score, shoot it from deep. He can put the ball on the ground, and he’s still figuring it out, figuring his body out. He really hasn’t grown into himself yet. So, he’s got a ton of upside.”

In addition, George confirmed the similarities in their offensive styles between him and Miller.

“There’s a lot of similarities,”George said. “… The ability at his size to put the ball on the ground, handle, his movement, and just the fluidity. I feel like that’s how I play the game at my size. Just being fluid on the court and making the game look easy and effortless. That’s the similarity I do see in Brandon’s game.”

Despite facing initial criticism for selecting Miller over NBA G League Ignite point guard Scoot Henderson with the second pick in last year’s draft, Charlotte’s decision has been justified as Miller has proven many of his skeptics wrong. In fact, he currently ranks third on NBA.com’s latest Kia Rookie Ladder, just behind highly-touted prospects Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, who were selected with the first and second picks in the 2023 and 2022 drafts respectively.

The Hornets seem to have made a wise decision with their top pick and may have found their future cornerstone. Whether Miller will eventually reach George’s level is still uncertain.