Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Strengths

Right-handed… Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is one of the most impressive young players in the country. He has great size for a small forward with a 6'11" wingspan and the physicality to make his presence known on both ends of the floor. His toughness and strength combined with his elite-level athleticism and quickness enables him to defend 2s, 3s or 4s. He has an unbelievable motor where he appears to give 100 percent every minute he is on the floor which coaches and scouts alike love. He digs in on defense, harassing his opponents and using his physicality to keep them out of the lane… Offensively, Kidd-Gilchrist doesn't force many plays. He plays with a veteran's poise, reading and reacting to the defense and taking what they give him. He has the ball skills to drive the lane and hit the gaps for dunks, but also has the floor-presence to dish the ball off or lob it across the lane for an assist to one of his big men. He gets low when he dribbles, giving him better control of the ball than most other "big" wings. Kidd-Gilchrist has a solid left-to-right cross that leaves 4s in the dust or he can body up his defender and use an effective spin-dribble and finish with finesse. What makes Kidd-Gilchrist even more dangerous is his power-game, his ability to finish with contact or post up defenders and score around the rim…

Weaknesses

At this point in his young career, this power-oriented small forward lacks a consistent perimeter game; he is not a constant threat from 15-20 feet out and still needs some more polish on the offensive end. Kidd-Gilchrist needs to exploit his mismatch ability more often, developing into a post presence or slashing into the lane, which he does very well, instead of deferring to others.