Charlotte Hornets: 1 Area Each Starter Must Improve
By Jon Shames
Michael Kidd Gilchrist: Outside Shooting
MKG is a bad shooter. I know it, you know it, even he knows it.
Kidd-Gilchrist attempted just nine three-pointers last season, and only connected on one of them. His defense, slashing ability and rebounding make him a valuable asset to have on the floor, but his utter-inability to hit outside shots really takes a toll on the Hornets’ offense. With Al Jefferson operating in the paint, floor spacing is essential. Without it, teams can double team and often neutralize the big man. If MKG were able to hit the three pointer at anything north of 30 percent, Charlotte’s offensive capabilities would skyrocket.
The underlying problem is his form. Kidd-Gilchrist has a big hitch in his shot that makes his release slow and inconsistent. With the news that the Hornets recently hired a shooting coach as per Kidd-Gilchrist’s request to do so, there is hope that he can reinvent his jumper so that his form is fluid, which would leave him with a ton of upside with his shot that he could easily capitalize on over the next few years.