Motor Keeps Going: The Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Thread III

[Zombiesonics]

We have MKG on a good contract as well when you consider if he played for another team he might be up for the max like Otto Porter is being considered. I definitely wouldn't trade MKG for a draft pick but I do believe that we need to give Lamb more minutes. Lamb should be playing 25 minutes a night for us since we struggle scoring, especially individually.

MKG @ the 4 is what i dream of, more minutes for him there. if jae crowder can why can't he? it also opens up more minutes/spacing with either lamb or marco. I've heard cliff praise marco and frank and hawes, still waiting on him to say the same about lamb. anytime he's brought up cliff goes all " he just needs to be consistent, anybody can have a good game" . until then i doubt he gets 25 mpg+ unless he is roasting.

[Mystical Apples]

Yeah there aren't many wings who legitimately defend multiple positions and defensive rebounding the 4. His offensive versatility is underrated too particularly at PF where he'll eventually exploit teams as a handler or in the post when they switch. Cutting off ball v. PF's he'd be a nightmare too.

Personally, I see MKG as Charlotte's best asset should he remain healthy and fulfill reasonable upside expectations. The key is finding the right teammate and position combinations between he and Cody.

[catch20two]

Bonnell just made a column about MKG being a starter but not a closer as Belly has been getting the bulk of those 4th quarter minutes lately.

I want to know has there been a evident increase in our team play with Belly playing down the home stretch instead of MKG?

[yosemiteben]

Not sure what you mean by"increase in our team play" but Belinelli is definitely the superior passer and does a better job stretching the floor.

[fatlever]

I didn't realize that MKG has only played in one 4th Q over the past five games. I would have guessed three.

I think it's a mixed bag of results for Marco over MKG. I certainly understand the rationale behind the move. We haven't been stopping people much in the 4th Q anyway, with or without MKG.

Last night I felt MKG should have came back in. His energy was clearly a catalyst in that great 3rd Q. We should have went small with both MKG and Marco, in place of Marvin/Frank.

[fatlever]

the Bonnell article for those interested

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article120724198.html

[catch20two]

Not sure what you mean by"increase in our team play" but Belinelli is definitely the superior passer and does a better job stretching the floor.

But is his superior passing and spacing playing sacrificial lamb (no pun intended) to our defense?

I just looked it up and Belly has played the most 4th quarter minutes on the team over the past 5 games at 53 minutes and Lamb the next closest at 43 minutes. The team appears to be thriving in the 4th quarter with Marco on the floor with a +6.9 net over the past 5 games. Shameless plug to mention that it's a +12.3 with Lamb on the court.

Batum has been really poor in the 4th quarter not just the last 5 games but throughout the season so far.

Wow. MKG really has only played 4 minutes total the past 5 games in the 4th quarter.

[yosemiteben]

Yeah, Bonnell mentioned that in his piece. Cliff basically said he's not committing to it but it's been working so he's rolling with it for now.

Surprised that net rating is so high given the way Indy beat us up in the 4th.

[BigSlam]

Bats uses Cody SO well in the P&R - why don't we try using Gilly as the roll man once in a while to get him going and some easy points?

I'm a huge fan of running the P&R from all positions and Gilly has that great length and slithering style that gets him to the rack. Might also allow him to release a thunder dunk or two as well.

Thoughts? Could we use Gilly in the P&R effectively?


"BBMF'ers"

[Braggins]

Bats uses Cody SO well in the P&R - why don't we try using Gilly as the roll man once in a while to get him going and some easy points?

I'm a huge fan of running the P&R from all positions and Gilly has that great length and slithering style that gets him to the rack. Might also allow him to release a thunder dunk or two as well.

Thoughts? Could we use Gilly in the P&R effectively?


"BBMF'ers"

I think so and I honestly can't believe we still havent tried implementing this into our offense. It seems really obvious.

Edit: It might be somewhat related to Cliff's reluctance to use MKG at PF. Seems like we would get the most out of him as a roll man in lineups where we have shooters at the other four positions, which is most likely to happen with MKG at PF with Hawes/Frank at center.

[yosemiteben]

MKG is pretty damn wiry and narrow though, doesn't seem like he'd make a good screen setter to me.

[Braggins]

His upper body is wiry, but he has a pretty thick base. I think thats how he weighs 230+ while looking like he should weigh 210 or less.

[yosemiteben]

But that's not ideal for screen setting though, right? I'm not necessarily questioning his ability to physically withstand the impact (though perhaps intentionally running guys into him is a bad idea for now), but his narrow shoulders and overall frame seem like he won't give the ball handler much clearance.

[Braggins]

But that's not ideal for screen setting though, right?

I'm not sure. I was just pointing that out cuz I always thought it was weird that he weighed so much even though he looks so skinny.

I think it would be ok if he wasn't setting monster screens. I like using him as the roll man more for spacing purposes. It honestly doesn't a lot to get Kemba past his man and there would theoretically be a ton of space for him to work with if there were 3 shooters on the perimeter. I think it could be more effective than a Hibbert or Hawes pick and roll.

[yosemiteben]

But that's not ideal for screen setting though, right?

I'm not sure. I was just pointing that out cuz I always thought it was weird that he weighed so much even though he looks so skinny.

I agree with that. Dude is hiding some damn barbells in his legs or something, because he is definitely not built in his arms and shoulders and his torso isn't exactly stout.

[BigSlam]

MKG is pretty damn wiry and narrow though, doesn't seem like he'd make a good screen setter to me.

He'd be setting screens on opposing PG's.


"BBMF'ers"

[BigSlam]

But that's not ideal for screen setting though, right? I'm not necessarily questioning his ability to physically withstand the impact (though perhaps intentionally running guys into him is a bad idea for now), but his narrow shoulders and overall frame seem like he won't give the ball handler much clearance.

When you set a screen you should get low so you "get wide". He could easily get wide and set impactful screens IMO.


"BBMF'ers"

[yosemiteben]

When you set a screen, a lot of the team you take contact on your shoulder. Given MKG's recent shoulder injury history, I'd like to avoid that if at all possible. Really I'd just like to avoid any plays specifically designed for MKG to make contact with opposing players that are running in his direction.

[JDR720]

it depends on who the screen is against

[Mystical Apples]

The 2/3 PnR is easier to switch, leaving the 5 in the paint and ultimately weakside defenders at home.