NBA Draft: Charlotte Bobcats select Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with No. 2 pick
With the second overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Bobcats selected Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, small forward out of Kentucky.
An elite athlete, Kidd-Gilchrist brings an immediate presence to the Bobcats’ offense that they lacked throughout their infamous 2011-2012 season. Helped by his never-ceasing motor and relentless playing style, Kidd-Gilchrist consistently puts defenders on their heels and finds a way to put the ball in the basket. He attacks the rim with tenacity and does a good job of using his athleticism when rebounding. Kidd-Gilchrist is also a solid defender who uses his size and toughness to give opponents fits.
The biggest problem facing Kidd-Gilchrist as he ventures into the NBA is his outside shooting. During the 2011-2012 season, he managed to make only 25.5 percent of his shots from beyond the arch, something that he’s going to have to improve on. The Bobcats need scorers, and considering that they don’t have a dominant inside presence, Kidd-Gilchrist is going to have to be able to convert from deep.
Kidd-Gilchrist might have a bit of “boom or bust” hanging around his shoulders, but he should be able to immediately upgrade their offense and help them avoid an encore of their miserable 2011-2012 campaign.
Even though they managed to add a promising talent like Kidd-Gilchrist, the Bobcats will still be considered by many as the biggest losers of the 2012 NBA Draft after missing out on top pick Anthony Davis. Let the mumblings of the NBA Lotto being a sham begin.
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