How family competition shaped Charlotte Hornets rookie Brandon Miller’s work ethic

Growing up, Brandon Miller loved being outside and savored competition.

The high-profile Charlotte Hornets rookie has fond memories playing different games with his family. But it wasn’t just being active that made him become an athlete.

Miller — whose father, Darrell, was a tight end for Alabama football — wanted to do whatever he could to beat his older siblings in one-on-ones and other activities they’d play. The Nashville native attributes his work ethic to being energetic as a kid and developing a competitive edge.

“Being around my family, actually,” Miller said in an interview with The Charlotte Observer. “Always playing outside with them. I never wanted to lose to my older siblings.”

Miller, who scored 12 points — including an emphatic one-handed dunk — in the Hornets’ 134-122 loss to the Utah Jazz on Saturday night at Spectrum Center, has reminded his coach of an NBA legend.

Charlotte head coach Steve Clifford was an assistant for the Houston Rockets from 2003-07, early in Yao Ming’s career. Clifford remembers the first time Patrick Ewing, also on Jeff Van Gundy’s staff, coached him up.

Ming, the eight-time NBA All-Star, didn’t need to spend two weeks of repetitions practicing the same skills. As soon as Ewing would show him a move, Ming responded and came up with a way to implement it into his game.

“That’s what this league is, and that’s Brandon Miller,” Clifford said Saturday. “People always look at these guys and think they’re the fastest, strongest, quickest — that’s not at all what it is. In the NBA, guys that last learn better, they’re smarter, and they pick things up faster. That’s one of (Miller’s) big strengths.”

The first time Miller worked with Bruce Kreutzer, a Hornets assistant coach who specializes in shooting, he made a minor adjustment in his release point. Clifford remembers being a little concerned, not knowing how his prized rookie would respond.

Miller, who’s made nearly 39 percent of 3-pointers this season, heeded his new coach’s advice.

“I think it showed on day one after I made the adjustments,” Miller said. “That’s played a big part in my jump shot today.”

Miller drove to the basket during the second quarter on Saturday night. The ball in his right hand, Miller reared his arm back and slammed a one-handed dunk over Jazz center Walker Kessler.

He helped the Hornets, who trailed by as many as 36 in a game that felt like a blowout from the start, to trim the deficit to just seven late in the fourth quarter.

“His dad played football at Alabama,” Clifford said. “He’s got a work ethic. He’s coachable. He brings a lot of talent and intangibles. It’s a big advantage that his dad played at a level like that.”

P.J. Washington sets a franchise record

Depth was instrumental in the late push from the Hornets, who significantly outscored the Jazz throughout the second half.

On top of center Nick Richards’ career-high 26 points, P.J. Washington put together a career-best 43-point night that included a 17-of-22 clip from the field (7-of-9 from behind the arc) as he ended up playing more than 35 minutes.

Washington, who scored 31 of his 43 points in the second half, set the Hornets’ franchise record for most points by a reserve. It’s also the most points by any player off the bench in the NBA this season.

“Trying to be consistent in my role,” Washington said. “Defending, rebounding, playing the right way.”

Worth noting: No points, 12 assists

With LaMelo Ball not playing the second half of the back-to-back with right ankle soreness, Ish Smith started and put together an unusual stat line.

Smith didn’t score in nearly 29 minutes on Saturday (0-5 shooting), but racked up 12 assists. He’s the first player in the NBA this season to record at least 10 assists without scoring.