The Official Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Thread

[dnbman]

I definitely see your point on the Barnes-shooting specialist and MKG-defensive specialist. But Barnes is also already an average-solid defender. I'm not saying he's great but he's good enough to get by and hold his own. Then who do you take?

A couple of folks have pointed out that handles are a lot harder to tweak and learn than jumpshots, as good dribbling technique is often learned much earlier than good shooting technique, since kids aren't strong enough or have big enough hands to shoot the ball well until they're a bit older. That being said, I think it's more reasonable for MKG to adjust his shooting than Barnes to adjust his dribbling. I think Barnes could definitely be somewhere between Ray Allen and Richard Hamilton in terms of his career, which would be a nice piece. But if MKG learns to shoot better, he could be a very strong two way player that can shut down the opposing team's best wing scorer. That has a lot of value to me.

That and what I said in my other post still has me leaning towards MKG, but I'd be happy with either guy.

[Whiz Kid]

I haven't read too many people calling MKG a project. The criticism is on his jumpshot, not his ability to score in general. And he can still hit jumpers, even if the form is ugly. He's just not that great.

Either guy seem like they could contribute from day 1. The question is boils down to what you want-- more offense or defense-- and what do you see as their likely career? I'm relying on professionals who have a lot more information and experience than us to make that decision.

By project, I just mean his offensive versatility. Our coaching and development staff would have to take time and develop that.

Don't take this comparison the wrong way but its just an example.

Biz gets baskets because of his athleticism and work ethic. Showed his potential in the post at the Hoop Summit. His offensive game is considered a project

MKG gets baskets because of his athleticism and work ethic by running the floor. Shows some potential with his jump shot. I'd call his offensive game a project also.

[SJackson1]

we need to get more easy baskets by players attacking the rim more and MKG would certainly do that for us. We can't keep settling for 20ft jump shots all the time !

[dnbman]

Biz gets baskets because of his athleticism and work ethic. Showed his potential in the post at the Hoop Summit. His offensive game is considered a project

MKG gets baskets because of his athleticism and work ethic by running the floor. Shows some potential with his jump shot. I'd call his offensive game a project also.

I see what you're saying, but I think MKG has MUCH more touch with the ball than Biz. Biz is a project on the offensive end in the truest since: you can see his own uncertainty when he gets the ball on the offensive end. MKG on the other hand can do a lot of things to get the ball in the basket, he just has an ugly jumper that he desperately needs to work on. If MKG NEVER got better at his jump shot, he'd probably still give you 12+ points a night, which doesn't seem like a lot, but would probably put him in the top 15 for SFs in scoring.

[Whiz Kid]

we need to get more easy baskets by players attacking the rim more and MKG would certainly do that for us. We can't keep settling for 20ft jump shots all the time !

Barnes can develop to do that. What we need is offensive versatility, which Barnes could do better, earlier for us. I'm not bashing MKG. I would definitely not be mad if we got him. Don't get that wrong. But I like Barnes more for us.

[Whiz Kid]

I see what you're saying, but I think MKG has MUCH more touch with the ball than Biz. Biz is a project on the offensive end in the truest since: you can see his own uncertainty when he gets the ball on the offensive end. MKG on the other hand can do a lot of things to get the ball in the basket, he just has an ugly jumper that he desperately needs to work on. If MKG NEVER got better at his jump shot, he'd probably still give you 12+ points a night, which doesn't seem like a lot, but would probably put him in the top 15 for SFs in scoring.

I wasn't comparing Biz and MKG's game. I don't think its possible to. But I'd take Barnes or T-Rob before I'd take MKG. That's just me though

[dnbman]

Barnes can develop to do that. What we need is offensive versatility, which Barnes could do better, earlier for us. I'm not bashing MKG. I would definitely not be mad if we got him. Don't get that wrong. But I like Barnes more for us.

Like I said before, it really just boils down to what you value. It makes perfect sense to value Barnes more since we need scoring so badly. I'm just nervous about drafting a guy that turns out to be an above average shooting specialist and not much more. If it's between Barnes and Robinson, I'd want Robinson every time. If it's between Barnes and MKG, I'd really have to think it over.

[SJackson1]

Barnes can develop to do that. What we need is offensive versatility, which Barnes could do better, earlier for us. I'm not bashing MKG. I would definitely not be mad if we got him. Don't get that wrong. But I like Barnes more for us.

both guys can improve different aspects of there game becasue they are very young players and both seem to have the determination to get better

[BrotherDave]

B/w Barnes and MKG, I'd probably go with MKG. The kid is only 18 and he already cleans the glass and roams the paint like a 28 year old man, you just can't teach that ish. I'm not really worried about his lack of shooting b/c we've got time for him to improve that and can probably sign or draft a good shooter anytime.

[SJackson1]

B/w Barnes and MKG, I'd probably go with MKG. The kid is only 18 and he already cleans the glass and roams the paint like a 28 year old man, you just can't teach that ish. I'm not really worried about his lack of shooting b/c we've got time for him to improve that and can probably sign or draft a good shooter anytime.

agree mate, he would average 13 PPG just by getting into the lane and attacking the rim