Swarm and Sting
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Charlotte Hornets: One Area Where Each Starter Must Improve

By Jerry Stephens

Dec 26, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford talks with guard Nicolas Batum (5) and guard Kemba Walker (15) during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Grizzlies 98-92. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford talks with guard Nicolas Batum (5) and guard Kemba Walker (15) during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Grizzlies 98-92. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 21, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) shoots over Minnesota Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng (5) during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) shoots over Minnesota Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng (5) during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

SF: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist – SHOOTING

Shooting Percentages: 44.8% FG/ 16.7% 3P/ 76.4% FT

Season Stats: 39 GP, 39 GS, 9.0 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.3 APG, 29.4 MPG

This is an easy area to point out but a hard one to fix. It seems like we have been waiting for MKG to improve his outside shot since he was drafted back in 2012. So far, it has not happened. Even with the work that he has put in, the promising play last season, and the hope going into this year.

Kidd-Gilchrist is only shooting 16.7% from the three-point line this season. 16.7%. That is nowhere near what fans expected going into this year and nowhere near the mark that he must be at to actually be an outside shooting threat.

His lack of an outside shot has hindered not only his offensive game but Charlotte’s as a whole. Opposing teams can sag off of MKG as he stands in the corner because he isn’t a threat to consistently knock down shots from behind the arc. It hurts the Hornets’ spacing and also limits what Michael can do on the offensive end of the court.

While he is still doing what he does best by hustling, defending, and rebounding, that just isn’t enough now that he is in his fifth NBA season. There has to be some sort of improvement in his outside shot or at least a sign of there being one. So far, his shot is still one of the worst in the league among wing players.

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