Michael Kidd-Gilchrist made quite an introduction at Kentucky’s Media Day last week when he jumped into his chair and promptly broke it, which for a self-professed shy person was maybe not the demonstrative entrance he wanted to make.
UK coach John Calipari is hoping Kidd-Gilchrist is just as destructive to opposing teams this season, as he is expected to become the Wildcats’ defensive stopper like DeAndre Liggins was last year.
“(Kidd-Gilchrist’s) starting point is where DeAndre finished. That's what he is right now, only he's 6-7, he's long, he can play inside, outside, he can guard three positions, or four positions for that matter, like DeAndre,” Calipari said. “He just brings a burning desire to get better. He's like the guys that I've had here who . . . they are chasing greatness.”
Kidd-Gilchrist offered these thoughts on getting the season started, his initial experiences at Kentucky and what his game is like:
Question: How have practices been so far?
Kidd-Gilchrist: “It’s hard, hard. But I just love it here.”
Question: Is it true that you blocked seven shots in one practice?
Kidd-Gilchrist: “That’s just my game right there. I’m doing what I do, and have a lot of fun doing it.”
Question: Are you more intense than other guys?
Kidd-Gilchrist: “I mean, I love defense, so I would think I’m more intense.”
Question: Have you always been that way?
Kidd-Gilchrist: “Since eighth grade. I don’t know why. Just having a lot of heart. My love for the game is unbelievable. It’s the top of the charts. And I just die on the courts.”
Question: How is Kyle Wiltjer’s hook shot?
Kidd-Gilchrist: “It’s crazy. It’s just old school. At the McDonald’s (All-American) Game, I was like, ‘What is this Kyle? What are you doing?’ It goes in though.”
Question: Where do you get your energy and your motor?
Kidd-Gilchrist: “I don’t want to get scored on and I don’t want to lose at all, that’s where it comes from. I think it was my uncle (Darrin Kidd) that put me in that mindset, just keep on going and going and going.”
Question: What is it about defense that you love?
Kidd-Gilchrist: “It’s just the crowd I think. The crowd going, ‘Defense. Defense.’ That’s what I think is going to get us going.”
Question: Has all the attention that goes with being a Kentucky player hit you?
Kidd-Gilchrist: “It’s hitting me now, with all of you standing in front of me obviously. It’s crazy.”
Question: Will you get used to it?
Kidd-Gilchrist: “Yeah, I just turned 18 and the limelight, it’s bright. And I know I’ve got to adjust. I’m not used to it all, but I’m just adjusting well, I think. I’m a quiet person at all times, and I’ve got to adjust to it. And that’s what I’m doing.”
Question: What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen since you’ve been here?
Kidd-Gilchrist: “It’s just seeing my jersey in stores. That’s just weird to me. I don’t know how to explain it.”
Question: How do you deal with the expectations for this team?
Kidd-Gilchrist: “It’s a lot of pressure. We’re just taking our time and just having fun doing it.”
Question: What has been the most surprising thing about being a UK player?
Kidd-Gilchrist: “Just all the hard work and just staying in that gym.
Question: Do you feel any pressure on the court?
Kidd-Gilchrist: “No, I don’t feel any pressure at all.“
Question: What’s the strength of your game?
Kidd-Gilchrist: “Just defense and rebounding the basketball. Just being aggressive.”
Question: What’s it like playing for Calipari as opposed to being recruited by Calipari?
Kidd-Gilchrist: “It’s a big transition, I can tell you that. He’s pushing us well, and I just want to get started.”
Question: Are you a talkative guy on the court?
Kidd-Gilchrist: “Yeah, I talk on defense a lot of times.“
Question: How close have you all gotten as a team?
Kidd-Gilchrist: “Close. I’ve been here since june and I love these guys.”
Question: What was it like having NBA players around UK while the lockout was going on?
Kidd-Gilchrist: LeBron (James) came in, and it was a good experience. Just seeing a LeBron James in here and just working hard. Almost every night he was in here, so that’s what I got out of it. (Rajon) Rondo, LeBron, (Kevin) Durant, that’s the best in the league right there. It doesn’t get any better than that.”
Question: How have you been transitioning to Kentucky life from New Jersey?
Kidd-Gilchrist: Well, when you come from (Somerdale) New jersey, it’s a city. Here, it’s just farms and stuff. But I love it here. The fan base is great, and I just love it.”
Question: Could this be the first team to win a national championship that has relied so much on freshmen?
Kidd-Gilchrist: “Oh yeah, it could. Me, Ant (Anthony Davis), Kyle and (Marquis) Teague. But we’ve got a lot to learn, so we’re just taking our time with it and we can’t wait to play, to get on the floor.”
Question: What did you think of Tent City like (for fans waiting for Big Blue Madness tickets)?
Kidd-Gilchrist: “It was crazy, I couldn’t leave the (Wildcat) Lodge. But I’d like to thank the fans for doing that for us. It was cold outside and I don’t know how they did it. When I saw all those tents, I thought, ‘Oh my God. This can’t be serous right now.’ They love us. And I love them for that right there.”
Question: Has anyone warned you about coming to UK and all the expectations that come with it?
Kidd-Gilchrist: “Not really. This is what I’ve always wanted, to win and just have a good time.”
Question: If you had to come off the bench would you mind?
Kidd-Gilchrist: “I wouldn’t mind. It’s a brotherhood here. So I wouldn’t mind that at all.”
Question: How much media covered you in high school?
Kidd-Gilchrist: “It wasn’t anything like this but it was a lot. But with (former high school teammate) Kyrie Irving involved there was a lot. He just told me about it last year at Duke, and said it was going to be a lot crazier than high school and just get ready for it. And I’m ready for it.”
Kidd-Gilchrist and the other Wildcats will play in the Blue-White Game Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Rupp Arena. Tickets are still available at ukathletics.com.
