NBA Playoffs 2018: Grading the New Orleans Pelicans players

#6 Darius Miller: B

Darius Miller

This time last year, Darius Miller was gearing playing in the German BBL playoffs with Brose Bamberg. Fast forward a year and this example of why patience pays is an epitome of consistency in a bench role for the Pelicans.

Throughout the regular season, Miller had been playing at a much higher level than expected, and his play has not suffered much of a drop-off in the postseason.

Many times during both the first and second rounds, he played the role of a spark plug off the bench very effectively, hitting his shots at critical junctures.

He provided a regular scoring punch with efficiency and perfectly complimenting the dribble-drive ability of Holiday, Rondo and Davis, being positioned to hit a three off the wing or the corners. Miller's consistency and efficiency ranked him second in offensive rating for the Pelicans this post-season.

Miller's best moment in the playoffs also happened to be the longest shot of the NBA season in 2017-18. Just before halftime of Game 1 of the second round versus the Warriors, off a JaVale McGee miss, Miller heaved a prayer-shot from his own free throw line. Miller's Miracle sailed through the entirety of the court, past all Warriors players, before going straight through the bucket for a three-quarter court shot for three.