Hoops Habit
Fansided

Ranking The Top NBA Players By Age: Age 22

By Gerald Bourguet

Nov 27, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) blocks a shot by Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) blocks a shot by Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
16 of 18
Next
NBA
Feb 3, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) warms up before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

It’s a pity that not one, but TWO shoulder injuries have robbed Michael Kidd-Gilchrist of what was expected to be his finest season yet. Though his lack of a perimeter jump shot has long been chronicled as his greatest shortcoming, MKG was finally on track to put it all together in his third season.

Even though he only played in seven games this year, Kidd-Gilchrist looked like he was ready to live up to his billing as a No. 2 overall pick, averaging 12.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per games on 54.1 percent shooting from the field and 42.9 percent shooting from downtown, both of which were career highs. He really did look like the total package everyone envisioned when he was first drafted.

Seven games is obviously a tiny sample size, but Kidd-Gilchrist’s two-way impact and standing as an elite wing defender should not be overlooked, even in a season that’s been completely derailed by injuries. If he can return healthy next season and the Charlotte Hornets manage to re-sign Nicolas Batum over the summer, this team could be on the rise in the East.

Next: No. 2