Charlotte Bobcats: Kidd-Gilchrist named NBA rookie of the month

The NBA announced yesterday that Bobcats 1st round pick and #2 pick overall has been named the associations Eastern Conference Rookie of the month for the month of November.

MKG, as he is commonly referred, had a very good November. Back on the 10th he broke out with a 25 point and 12 rebound game in a win versus the Dallas Mavericks. That win snapped a 16 game losing streak the Bobcats were in the midst of versus the Dallas team. Just to put that performance into perspective the only other NBA’er to have that many points and rebounds at the young age of 18 is recently named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the year LeBron James. The Bobcats 2012 lottery pick then followed that game up by contributing 15 points and pulling down 8 boards against the abysmal Washington Wizards on November 13th. The rookie has shown consistent improvement game in and game out.

Nov 28, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Charlotte Bobcats small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) shoots over Atlanta Hawks shooting guard Anthony Morrow (22) during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports

The skill set shown by MKG is one a team needs when putting together a winner. Usually it is one that is difficult to find. He has good length which helps him in playing defense and blocking shots, he is extremely athletic, he has a good frame which will allow him to add bulk and become more effective down low, he has shown good speed and a quick first step that allows him to get into passing lanes on defense. The term jack of all trades is fitting for this young man. He has shown a penchant for doing everything well but even more importantly he has shown a willingness to do what is needed. That is his greatest ability to this point in his very brief career.

MKG  will be a good player for years to come. With the proper coaching and a focused, determined work ethic this young man can turn himself into a great player. His continued development is an essential element to re-establishing a positive image for this Bobcats organization that had it’s image vitiated with the unfathomably lugubrious win-loss record it reached in the  strike shortened season last year.

The selection of MKG is turning out to be a good one.  Fact is, the Bobcats had performed so miserably last season the team should have been awarded the 1st overall pick in the 2012 draft. The NBA’s, lottery style, draft positioning system instead awarded the #1 selection to New Orleans, thus allowing us to be in position to draft Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. It has been a blessing in disguise.

God Bless!

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