Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s jump shot is ugly — he doesn’t release it at the top of his jump and when he does release it has a weird sidespin. Kidd-Gilchrist took 28.3 percent of his jump shots outside 10 feet last season, and he missed the vast majority of them. He hit 30 percent of his long twos (which is not good) and 11.1 percent of his threes (which is worse). His jumper has been a mess since he entered the league.
The Hornets are remaking his jump shot. Again. With coach Mark Price. Again.
Coach Steve Clifford told the Charlotte Observer that things are going well on the project.Really, really well. He’s done a good job, and Mark (Price) has done a good job working with him. He’s transformed as far as shooting mechanics.
In general, he looks more confident. He’s just had a phenomenal summer as far as (improving) physically and in conditioning. He, Kemba (Walker) and Gary (Neal) have been here all summer. They’re all in high-quality shape and ready to get started.
Technically it’s not “again” so much as “still” here. When Price saw Kidd-Gilchrist’s jumper he said this would be a multi-year project. This is year two.
I’m going to be a Missourian on this one — show me. Price worked with Kidd-Gilchrist last summer and there was no real improvement. I’ll need to see it.
Kidd-Gilchrist will likely come off the bench for the Hornets, with Lance Stephenson, Gerald Henderson, and Gary Neal able to play the wing. If his shots are falling, Kidd-Gilchrist will get minutes thanks to his defense and effort, but the Hornets are going to have to have a better offense this season and Kidd-Gilchrist needs to not slow that train down.
