Aminu is battling for starters job

[AD23forMVP]

While New Orleans Hornets Coach Monty Williams continues to wait, he said the starting small forward spot remains up for grabs with four games remaining before the regular-season opener Oct .31 against the San Antonio Spurs.

If Aminu sputters, Hornets rookie Darius Miller could emerge as a surprise starter. Miller, who was a teammate of No. 1 overall pick Anthony Davis at Kentucky where they won a national championship last season, appears to be catching on quickly. Williams said after Tuesday’s practice that Miller, a second-round pick, has shown a lot of signs he can make plays off the dribble.

"We would like for Chief (Aminu) to take that position and say it’s mine,’’ Williams said. "We’ve got some games left to see if he can do that. Al Farouq is a guy that should know more about that position for us because he’s been in the system for a little bit. But nobody has really stepped out and dominated the competition just yet. But Darius has shown a lot of signs that he can knock down a shot and make plays off the dribble.’’

It was anticipated before the preseason began that backup power forward Ryan Anderson would shift to small forward because of his ability to extend defenses with his 3-point shooting. But Williams said he likes Anderson better at power forward.

"The more I watch those guys play, Anthony has that skill set where he can play the wing a little bit,’’ Williams said. "Ryan (Anderson) is really good at playing the four and learning those sets should be easier for him. But we don’t know, it’s still a work in progress.’’

http://www.nola.com/hornets/index.ss...al_farouq.html

[Bee-Fense]

If this means Monty has faith in Miller as a starter already, then I'm happy.

I definitely want to see Al-Farouq succeed, but Darius will be cheaper and has a higher ceiling honestly. I don't think Al-Farouq will ever really be worth anything on offense. Darius can at least shoot the 3.

[Snarly]

Remember when a couple of people said Miller wasn't starter material and there was no way Miller could start?

[bradael]

It was anticipated before the preseason began that backup power forward Ryan Anderson would shift to small forward because of his ability to extend defenses with his 3-point shooting.

I don't know who anticipated this, but Ryan Anderson's value plummets significantly if he's the small forward as opposed to a power forward. There are plenty of good 3 point shooting small forwards. There are, however, very few deadly 3 point shooting power forwards.

His value has always been stretching the floor/opening up the paint area.

[Silverfoxx]

I scored 36 points with Darius Miller in NBA2K13

[BallSoHard]

If this means Monty has faith in Miller as a starter already, then I'm happy.

I definitely want to see Al-Farouq succeed, but Darius will be cheaper and has a higher ceiling honestly. I don't think Al-Farouq will ever really be worth anything on offense. Darius can at least shoot the 3.

Does he have a higher ceiling ? I don't think so. Aminu has all of the physical gifts.

[Pelicans78]

Does he have a higher ceiling ? I don't think so. Aminu has all of the physical gifts.

But physical gifts can only take you so far. Aminu's lack of shooting and ball-handling make him a huge liability as a starting wing. Monty sees that. Aminu at best is just a defensive specialist right now. His ball-handling won't improve that much now, but he could at least show he can make a consistent jumper which he didn't in the Olympics. Apparently he's not doing enough to make an impression on Monty. Its obvious Miller will always be a better shooter and ball-handler than Aminu. Does he have a high ceiling? Probably not, but he has the potential to be a very good complementary player next to Davis, Anderson, and Gordon for a long time.

[hornetslover89]

Did you create Darius Miller?

[crenshaw]

I think Aminu has that 3spot on lock, while it may be his to lose, he won't lose it in the pre-season or the first-half of the year.

We're putting too much on him as far as expectations go - but in reality, we don't need all-star numbers from him.

What we need is that he play his usual D, help with the boards/block guys-out, knock-down open shots, get open and run the break - and as far as maturity goes, we want him to make the correct decisions and plays on the court.

For me, what I really want from him is to play with more fire/passion - and not slouch and hang his head on blown plays.

He is lottery pick for a reason, and his physical gifts are without question. Generally, he needs to show us some growth to his game - if he does this, we should be alright.

[BallSoHard]

But physical gifts can only take you so far. Aminu's lack of shooting and ball-handling make him a huge liability as a starting wing. Monty sees that. Aminu at best is just a defensive specialist right now. His ball-handling won't improve that much now, but he could at least show he can make a consistent jumper which he didn't in the Olympics. Apparently he's not doing enough to make an impression on Monty. Its obvious Miller will always be a better shooter and ball-handler than Aminu. Does he have a high ceiling? Probably not, but he has the potential to be a very good complementary player next to Davis, Anderson, and Gordon for a long time.

My whole point was geared towards ceiling not who's the better starter now.

[Pelicans78]

My whole point was geared towards ceiling not who's the better starter now.

I know. I realized it after writing my post. My bad.

[wuggie]

Hell I hope Chief does get the job because Julian Wright already disappointed the heck out of me with his "potential". Alf(his new nickname that I just made up) looks different to me though.

[BallSoHard]

No worries! I just hope whoever starts does well.

[Razorpens]

Aminu going to prove you guys wrong. Yall be doubting my boy. Got more potential than miller. All he need is consistent minutes to perform and yall gona see what he can do.

[carpo_07]

If the reason people think Aminu's ceiling is higher is because of his athleticism then you people need to check some combine results. AFA and Miller had almost identical running times and Millers vertical was significantly better both non running and running. Combine that with Millers much superior jumper and handles, I don't really see how his ceiling isn't higher. Even if he isn't as tall or as long

[Ryno_33 NOLA]

Even though I think Miller would be the better option, the pressure he's going to put on Aminu to lift his effort and intensity can only be beneficial to the team. If Aminu performs, fantastic. If not, Miller gets the opportunity to show him how it's done. If neither of them perform, guess what? There will be a 2013 lottery pick willing to take their place.

[Razorpens]

Even though I think Miller would be the better option, the pressure he's going to put on Aminu to lift his effort and intensity can only be beneficial to the team. If Aminu performs, fantastic. If not, Miller gets the opportunity to show him how it's done. If neither of them perform, guess what? There will be a 2013 lottery pick willing to take their place.

lol I really hope we get a high lottery pick and get Shabazz for that SF position. I don't want to be a mediocre team in the middle of the pack in the Western Conference. I want as much power we can get.

[Vinny6420]

I really don't know who i'd rather have start... :/

[RaisingTheBar]

Aminu going to prove you guys wrong. Yall be doubting my boy. Got more potential than miller. All he need is consistent minutes to perform and yall gona see what he can do.

He may have more potential but he has had 2 years to show that potential and has not. If he loses the starting job to Miller it is his own fault and will show how much he hasnt expanded his game. And consistent minutes? For his career he averages 20mpg and has started 35 times. He has certainly had the opportunities.

[Silverfoxx]

Did you create Darius Miller?

Naw, he is all the way at the bottom, or maybe its with a server that the roster is updated a bit. His overall is 62, but with proper technique, he can be a beast in transition with Gordon. I made Miller my starting SF

[bradael]

If the reason people think Aminu's ceiling is higher is because of his athleticism then you people need to check some combine results. AFA and Miller had almost identical running times and Millers vertical was significantly better both non running and running. Combine that with Millers much superior jumper and handles, I don't really see how his ceiling isn't higher. Even if he isn't as tall or as long

Miller has a higher floor. Aminu has a higher ceiling.

It's probably just mostly semantics... however, we expect more from Aminu than we will from Miller. Their combine numbers may be very similar, including height, but one very important number Aminu has over Miller is wingspan. Miller is 6'9" while Aminu has a 7'3.25" wingspan. Half a foot longer wingspan is a pretty big difference and it's a big reason why he makes for a potentially great defensive player.

Plus, Miller is older than Aminu. Miller's combine numbers also came when he was 22 while Aminu was 19. Aminu's athletic numbers could be even greater now.

Anyway, when it's all said and done it really doesn't matter. The better player should get the most playing time.

[RaisingTheBar]

Miller has a higher floor. Aminu has a higher ceiling.

Very well stated.

[goat gorilla]

Play the better player. Let the bench be incentive for whomever doesn't start. Aminu is young and has a high ceiling, I get it. But with each year he doesn't drastically improve, that limitless ceiling is inching down.

I am curious about Miller though. In reading up on him, I have seen where many of his teammates and coaches feel he has been one of the more skilled guys on their respective teams. His problem has been he has always been too unselfish and timid at times. I think there is an equal chance a light could go off for him and he could just become a beast.

[ml wave]

Hell I hope Chief does get the job because Julian Wright already disappointed the heck out of me with his "potential". Alf(his new nickname that I just made up) looks different to me though.

Alf? I like it! Maybe some giant Alf heads when he makes a three. On second thought, might have to be when he makes a shot.

[fullcourtpress]

TOTAL article is BS! (Bachelor of Science) type of stuff. Fact is, Aminu will start, miller will play when we need spacing and more than likely neither of them will be on the court during:

crunch-time

Vasquez/Rivers
Gordon
A. Davis will play C, PF, and SF on defense and PF on offense
R. Anderson will play SF on offense and is too plodding to play it on D
C- Lopez and J. Smith will play center on offense and C and PF on D

Aminu catches on by game 25 and never looks back