Brandon Miller is back to measuring progress one step at a time after left shoulder surgery in May, and the Hornets forward says the rehab has been moving in the right direction.
Miller, who had the procedure to address left shoulder instability, said in an interview with Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer that the recovery has been steady and that he’s feeling better as the summer goes on.
“It was good, it was a short surgery - I don’t remember much,” Miller said. “It goes a long way.
I think with this process you always want your body 100%. When you go through a season not feeling 100% sometimes you’ve got to have a mindset getting through knick-knack injuries or whatever you want to call it.
It’s just having a mindset.”
He added that the work has already started to pay off.
“It’s going good, going good,” Miller said. “I’m getting stronger.
That’s all I can ask for. The stronger I get, the more mobile I am with the shoulder and that is the most important thing.”
For now, though, he still hasn’t been cleared for basketball activities, and there’s no timeline yet for when that will change. With Hornets training camp set to begin in just over a month, Miller said he doesn’t have an answer on his status.
"I don't know right now," Miller said. "
Even while he’s sidelined, Miller made it clear he’s itching to get back on the floor.
“I’m always eager, man,” Miller said. “I’m eager even when I’m not hurt.
Just being out there is always a blessing whether I’m hurt or rehabbing or if I’m not hurt. One thing about me is availability.
That’s all I can ask, is just availability. You want a full team available.
You never know what can happen. Players can get in foul trouble, whatever the case may be.
It’s kind of on us as players to be available whenever your number is called.”
Miller appeared in 65 games for Charlotte last season, his third year in the NBA, and put together a strong statistical line: 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 43.5% from the field, 38.3% from 3-point range and 89.2% from the free-throw line.
Looking ahead to the season, Miller said the Hornets’ identity will be built on effort and consistency.
“Do I know if we are going to be good or great?” Miller said.
“I know we are going to be a hard-working team. It’s not about who makes the most shots.
It’s about who can play consistently at 110% every night. I think that’s one thing we are going to take pride in.”
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