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Charlotte Hornets: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s New Jumper Should Instill Fear In His Enemies

By Jon Shames

Jan 15, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Charlotte Bobcats forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) shoots a jump shot during the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers defeated the Bobcats 95-92. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Charlotte Bobcats forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) shoots a jump shot during the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers defeated the Bobcats 95-92. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nine.

One.

Those are the number of 3-pointers that Charlotte Hornets’ forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist attempted and converted, respectively, last season.

Something has been seriously wrong with MKG’s jumper. Fans know it, coaches know it, and he knows it.

But that may not be the case for much longer. It had been rumored since the Bobcats’ first-round elimination that Kidd-Gilchrist was redesigning his jump shot, and said rumors can now be confirmed.

During the summer mini camp, the Hornets posted a video of Noah Vonleh taking a couple of shots from the elbow. The important part of the post, though, was MKG’s new-look jumper (background of the video).

At that point in the summer, Kidd-Gilchrist had removed the hitch from his shot and had figured out a way to keep his elbow straight–an essential part of any good jumper. Still, as good as it looked, it needed some work. It was a set shot, and his release was as slow as ever. The follow through was pure, but he was pausing too long before he was shooting.

The coaching staff and MKG clearly caught onto this, as evidenced by the new video that was released yesterday:

As you can see, Kidd-Gilchrist’s new jumper looks smoother, quicker, and more natural overall. Most importantly, he was hitting shots! Almost threes!

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Of course, this video is from training camp, and there’s no defense being played, but regardless, MKG now has a decent looking shot that can only get better. If all works out, and he is able to force the defenses to respect his shooting, both he and the Hornets will be significantly better off.

Kidd-Gilchrist is a heck of a slasher, defender and rebounder, but through his two-year career, his inability to space the floor has seriously hurt Charlotte’s offense. The Eastern Conference features some of the best defensive bigs in the NBA, so Al Jefferson‘s job is hard enough already; asking him to put up 25 points per game against the likes of Joakim Noah, Roy Hibbert, and Al Horford while battling through a double team at the same time is a bit much.

The Hornets added Lance Stephenson earlier in the summer, who is expected to start at the shooting guard spot over long-time starter Gerald Henderson. With that said, Hendo is a great two-way player, and Stephenson certainly has the size and skill to start at small forward (as does newly-signed veteran Marvin Williams). Improved shooting abilities from MKG could be the difference between a starting and reserve spot for the third-year wing.

The Hornets’ front office has done all they can to increase Charlotte’s chances next year. From this point forward, the team’s improvements are going to have to come from within, and Kidd-Gilchirst’s jumper is step No. 1.

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