#2: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
With the second overall pick in the 2012 draft, the Charlotte Bobcats have selected Kentucky Freshman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.
Arguably the most difficult position in the draft at number two overall with the New Orleans Hornets taking consensus number one overall Anthony Davis; the Bobcats have decided to draft what is generally considered the best small forward in this draft class. While somewhat of a surprise considering most mock drafts had the Bobcats taking Kansas power forward Thomas Robinson, Kidd-Gilchrist is an excellent athlete with sky-high potential.
“I have a winning attitude on life and in ball, school,” Kidd-Gilchrist said following his selection. “I just want to win basketball games. That’s the only thing I want to do.”
In his only season with the Wildcats, Kidd-Gilchrist averaged 11.9 points (49.1 percent shooting) and 7.4 rebounds per game for the reigning NCAA Basketball Champions.
Viewed as a supremely fierce competitor, hard worker and already a defensive specialist, Kidd-Gilchrist will seemingly play an integral part immediately for the Bobcats who are coming off the worst winning percentage for a season in NBA history. Putting Kidd-Gilchrist alongside Gerald Henderson at the wing position gives the Bobcats a solid combo there for the foreseeable future.
Kidd-Gilchrist also couldn’t help but express his excitement about getting to play with the Bobcats’ ninth overall pick from the 2011 NBA Draft, Kemba Walker.
“I can’t wait to play with Kemba,” Kidd-Gilchrist said. “He’s fast, and I mean, I just can’t wait to play with him. [I] can’t wait.”
Ball handling and shooting touch are both going to be on the agenda for head coach Mike Dunlap and his staff but the Bobcats seemingly have found themselves a starter at the wing position and a possible key contributor for years to come. At just 18-years old, Kidd-Gilchrist has plenty of room to grow and will likely have an abundance of on the job training in his first season in Charlotte.
“Whatever happens happens right now,” Kidd-Gilchrist said. “I just wanted to get drafted. That’s it.”
Bottom line is that Kidd-Gilchrist could be best described as a winner, something desperately needed right now for Michael Jordan and co in Charlotte for the Bobcats.
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