Clippers’ Jordan Miller stays prepared when his quantity is named – Each day Breeze

INGLEWOOD — Sophomore ahead Jordan Miller is aware of the significance of staying prepared. A coach can name on him at any time, so he prepares each recreation as if he had been within the rotation.

But Miller was caught off guard when Clippers coach Tyronn Lue referred to as him off the bench to exchange Amir Coffey on the courtroom. Wednesday night time’s recreation in opposition to the Orlando Magic. It was a superb factor he was prepared for the sport.

Coffey had began rather than Norman Powell, who was out with left hamstring soreness, leaving a rotation spot open. Earlier than this match, Lue even remained tight-lipped about his plans when chatting with reporters.

“The round shot was my first clue, however nobody on the teaching employees informed me that earlier than the sport,” Miller mentioned Friday. “It was simply a kind of occasions the place your quantity is named and you need to be prepared, ?”

Miller did not let the teaching employees down, scoring eight factors and grabbing three rebounds and an help in 16 minutes, proving to be a strong choose if wanted.

He was as soon as once more Lue’s first alternative on Friday night time’s present. 104-88 victory in opposition to the Sacramento Kings and is predicted to play an analogous function when the crew travels to Philadelphia for a Sunday recreation in opposition to the 76ers. Powell is listed as out for this recreation.

“I am making an attempt to go away a superb impression as a result of I do not know what it may appear like when Norm comes again,” Miller mentioned. “However they will see that I am a strong participant, and if one thing goes mistaken (accidents) or we want a spark, the coach could have extra confidence in me to maneuver ahead relatively than not taking part in.”

Miller mentioned it was “big” to take advantage of these alternatives. He spent a lot of his first season within the G League and stays below a two-way contract with the Clippers. He performed one recreation with the San Diego Clippers this season earlier than transferring to his everlasting locker on the Intuit Dome.

“I am unable to stress sufficient about me and Kobe (Brown),” mentioned Miller, who’s in the identical draft class as Brown. “We work very onerous. Lots of people do not actually see it, however we’ve to be prepared for occasions like these, so hopefully we will benefit from it.

Miller, 24, credit his time taking part in within the G League for growing and honing the talents he possessed on the College of Miami. He averaged 26.7 factors and seven.9 rebounds in 23 common season video games and 22 factors and 6.7 rebounds in 16 Showcase Cup video games final season.

He did, nevertheless, make his mark in the course of the 2024 NBA Summer time League, the place his burgeoning expertise was on show. He was first crew All-Summer time League and was runner-up to Brooklyn Nets ahead Jalen Wilson for Participant of the 12 months honors.

Miller’s summer time efficiency did not assure him a spot within the rotation getting into this season. He did not press on about it, discovering his scenario considerably irritating — too good for the G League however caught in limbo on a proficient roster.