Tuesday, June 5th, 2012 at 11:16 am  |  21 responses

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, No. 2 (Mock Draft)

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is capable of becoming the Cats’ cornerstone.

by Dave Zirin / @EdgeofSports

The Charlotte Bobcats Select: the remaining Kentucky Wildcats.

Seriously, who ever would have imagined that Michael Jordan, the most competitive man to ever wear shorts, would put a team on the court so absolutely content to lose, night in and night out?

This is a team that needs fire and needs not to take on any more projects. This is why the man of the moment for Charlotte should be and will be the NCAA Champs’ best all-around player.

With the second pick of the SLAMonline Mock Draft, the Charlotte Bobcats select…

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist from Kentucky.

Why? Dear Lord, did you watch a Bobcats game last year? I did. We are talking about not only the worst team in NBA history, but arguably the most embarrassing product the NBA has ever produced for public consumption.

Their leading scorer was Gerald Henderson, who dropped 15 points per game. Their leading rebounder, rookie Bismack Biyombo, grabbed just 5.8 boards. Their other prize, rookie Kemba Walker, shot 36.6 percent.

But even those numbers don’t do justice to just how unwatchable the Bobcats became as the year wore on. This is a team that was humiliated by the Washington Wizards. The only people the Wizards should be humiliating are their season ticket holders.

This wasn’t an NBA franchise as much as a Bermuda Triangle of rusted talent. It’s the sort of team where, if you caught its box score, you might say, “So THAT’S where Corey Maggette/Tyrus Thomas/DeSagana Diop ended up!”

This is not a team that needs a project like Andre Drummond. They don’t need a player like TRob, who could be tremendous but could also be a player without a position. They need solid NBA talent, and Kidd-Gilchrist may be the lowest risk in the entire 2012 Draft class. Kidd-Gilchrist might not have a higher ceiling, but he’s even a lower risk than the offensively questionable Anthony Davis.

At worst, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will be a taller, smoother, more stable version of Metta World Peace. At best, he is the kind of explosive small forward who could stand as the cornerstone of a team for years to come. We’re not talking about a 10-year All-Star. We are, however, talking about a legit NBA player who can impact the game without the ball in his hands.

MKG is by no means perfect. He needs to work on creating his own shot in the half court, and he also lacks the range of a top small forward. But his defensive versatility is tremendous—able to guard four positions without breaking a sweat. He is the best in the Draft at absorbing contact and converting three-point plays. Perhaps most importantly, on a team that often looks like it gives up before the opening tip, MKG plays with fire while also having a rep for being coachable and putting team first.

You can learn to shoot a three. It’s much harder to learn how to love diving on the floor for loose balls. But most importantly, MKG is absolutely, positively guaranteed to make the Bobcats a better team. For this bombed out and depleted franchise, that’s truly all they can ask. And Jordan will finally have a player he can watch from the owner’s box with the confidence that this is one guy willing to bleed to be a top player in the National Basketball Association.

2012 SLAMonline Mock Draft
Pick Team Player Pick Team Player
1 Hornets Anthony Davis 16 Rockets
2 Bobcats Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 17 Mavs
3 Wizards 18 TWolves
4 Cavs 19 Magic
5 Kings 20 Nuggets
6 Blazers 21 Celtics
7 Warriors 22 Celtics
8 Raptors 23 Hawks
9 Pistons 24 Cavs
10 Hornets 25 Grizzlies
11 Blazers 26 Pacers
12 Bucks 27 Heat
13 Suns 28 Thunder
14 Rockets 29 Bulls
15 Sixers 30 Warriors
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  • Groves

    Good Pick, i have him here too. i think they’ll take him or beal. based on mj’s preference

  • ctk

    Bobcats cant take him at this spot …when the best 2things bout your game is you got a high motor n great character…u shouldnt be goin number 2 to a team this bad

  • http://www.google.be/imgres?q=watch+out+we+got+a+badass&um=1&hl=nl&sa=N&rlz=1C1AFAB_enBE454BE454&biw=1600&bih=799&tbm=isch&tbnid=qB4CTXEDbyW1dM:&imgrefurl=http://kn Max

    Remember reading about him in a SLAM mag when he was 14 or 16 and it saying he has a very bright future.

  • http://slamonline.com Jones

    Actually, if you are trying to follow the so-called Thunder model, then wouldn’t it make more sense to draft a project like Drummond? If by some miracle MKG, a rejuvenated Kemba Walker and etc somehow propel the Bobcats, to say, a 30 win season then they are just doomed to repeatedly get the mid level picks (around 7) and toil on the verge of the playoffs but not quite ever contending or getting good draft picks (you could call this Rockets/Sixers syndrome).

    If MJ wants to sell tickets and reclaim a bit of pride, this is the correct pick, but if he really wants to be able to contend in the next couple of years like OKC, he should pick a potential alone, and that’s picking someone like (imo) Barnes.

  • Dave Zirin

    This is a team that needs real NBA players and a credible product before it starts thinking about being “able to contend in the next couple of years like OKC.” Players like Drummond and perhaps even Barnes would adapt to the horrible attitude that pervades this franchise. MKG has the potential to change the locker room. And honestly, Jordan and Rich Cho DREAM of “suffering” from Rockets/Sixers syndrome.

  • Boss Bailey

    The Bobcats can’t follow the model of OKC because there isn’t a talent at #2 for them to pick named Kevin Durant.

  • http://www.slamonline.com spit hot fiyah

    good pick, would be mad i u picked t-rob either.
    and it’s really fitting that the guy who wears number 8 on the team is called DJ. 8 ball and MKG!

  • cbb_fanatic

    It’s funny how this draft lottery worked out because I actually believe that MKG is a better pick for the Bobcats than Anthony Davis. AD is a beast of course, but I actually see MKG bringing in his team spirit and good character to boost the morale of the team after a terrible..or THE MOST TERRIBLE…season. That coupled with his motor alone can make all the difference, but people are totally underestimating his offensive and defensive capabilities. For all these people who are saying he can’t shoot or whatever, take into account that he averaged in double figure ppg (during the regular season and championship games) on high fg% (49 during the regular season, 54 during the championship games) while shooting not the most, second, or third, but FOURTH most shots for his team. Not to mention how he prides himself on his defense which shows in his games. He’s a true thoroughbread. MKG made the most out of his time on that court and he deserves to be ranked this high!!!

  • Zoxxan

    You killed me at “The only people the Wizards should be humiliating are their season ticket holders.” Nice write up overal.

  • Brad09

    love to c people doubt MKG, I believe that MGK is the best perimeter defender the draft has seen in 20 years. Selfless player, great athlete only cares about winning, great mindset. I dont think theres a team in the league that coudlnt use MGK. I dont think most scouts know what the hell there talking about when they say potential and high celling all that means to them is athletic ability. MGK will be a 5 time all star at worst, I pray to god that the league either disolves the bobcats or he slips below pick 2

  • Izzzz

    Mgk like Russell where defensive players with great motor n great n transition n good ball handling ability mgk jumps hot will get better with hard work remember when Kobe came in he couldn’t shot either but he was raw like mgk n mgk is actually better than Davis

  • Izzzz

    Look how westbrook came out he was the exact type of player as mgk .. Mgk is Gona be incredible like Russell outstanding defender dribbler outstanding in transition n finisher his jump shot will get better remember russell was drafted at #5 not bad. You have to look at raw talent that’s what it comes down to. N he’s only 18 !!!!

  • Groves

    i see MKG as being the next Gerald Wallace rather than Ron Artest. i just see him being a better rebounder, and worse scorer. remember there was a time when Ron could drop 20 while guarding the oppositions best perimeter player.

  • http://slamonline.com Jones

    @Dave Zirin. Is being a perennial 7/8 seed good? Might entertain the fans in that their team makes the playoffs, but tragically a lack of high picks often means you dont go anywhere, especially if you are a small market team that cant lure good free agents.

  • Dave Zirin

    No but it’s a fallacy to think that in today’s NBA you are either dead awful or awesome. It starts by getting reps in the playoffs and building a credible franchise. That’s step one for the Cats.

  • Lin-Dication

    @ Dave Zirin, I gotta agree with Jones. Of course teams gotta get their reps in the playoffs. OKC is one win away from the Finals because they got their lumps last year. But the difference between OKC getting bounced from the playoffs early and some middling team like, say, the Sixers or the Pacers getting bounced from the playoffs is that OKC has the building blocks, the game changing talents to actually have the hope of advancing further the next year. Teams like the Sixers or the Pacers will always be middle of the pack unless they could nab a true franchise player, which they probably won’t happen because they’re not bad enough to pick one from the lottery, but they’re not attractive enough teams to land major free agents. So if it’s the difference between getting ten more wins with the safer pick then becoming a true contender down the line with the more riskier pick, I would rather thane the riskier pick.

  • Lin-Dication

    But the Cats have so many holes that it really doesn’t matter who they pick. Kidd-Gilchrist probably won’t will them to ten more wins by himself anyways. They’re gonna need a couple of picks to address their other needs. The Bobcat’s main problem was finding consistent scoring, which I don’t see Kidd-Gilchrist helping because he hasn’t shown the ability to create his own shot. Nabbing a true post presence or an elite point guard will probably help their scoring needs. Maybe they should trade down and get multiple picks since there is no clear cut no 2 like Oden-Durant and this draft is supposed to be pretty deep? Maybe they should draft Sullinger to help with post scoring. If Biyombo develops into the next Ibaka like many expect him to, then Biyombo should be able to cover for Sullinger on defense. The Cats should then draft Kendall Marshall at the point, so Kemba Walker can just concentrate on scoring off the bench. Plus they got that UNC connect going with Marshall to bring in the fans.

  • Josh

    MKG was the glue to the Kentucky nat’l championship team. MKG will bring intensity and hustle to this putrid team and provide a great example on how to work hard, even if he is a young guy. MKG is the real deal and it will be exciting to watch this Bobcats team next season. Walker off the bench with DJ and MKG on the floor. Don’t count out the Bobcats throwing change at free agents.

  • dsleepy

    harrison barnes

  • http://dgcoursereview.com BroD

    Jones is right. MJ didn’t hire Cho to draft “safe” college players with “intangibles.” They were torn down to be rebuilt properly. The only good options for Charlotte is to trade down for multiple picks and try and get the franchise player next year or roll the dice on Drummond.

  • RunNGun

    I have a feeling MJ’s going to go with the kid from his alma mater, Harrison Barnes but that’s too high to take him… perhaps a swap of draft rights? Don’t try to get smart, MJ. Draft Bradley Beal…

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