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Washington columnist Ben Standig says Michael Kidd-Gilchrist could go anywhere from 2 to 5 in the upcoming NBA draft. (Clay Jackson / June 25, 2012) |
Ben Standig blogs about the Washington Wizards for CSNwashington.com and has been breaking down possible draft picks for the Wizards, who have the third overall pick in the upcoming NBA draft and are considering Kentucky’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with that pick.
Kidd-Gilchrist said at the recent NBA combine that he felt the Wizards would go from a losing team to a “playoff team” next year with him.
Standig isn’t quite sure where Kidd-Gilchrist will fall in the draft.
“Could he go two? Sure, but if Charlotte keeps the pick it seems like (Thomas) Robinson (of Kansas) makes the most sense. Washington and Cleveland need shooters, and guys like Bradley Beal and Harrison Barnes are around. I can’t see MKG getting past five, but in my mock that’s where I have him. Again, anywhere two to five would not stun me. He definitely has his supporters.”
Standig doesn’t think Kidd-Gilchrist’s questionable outside shooting will “scare” teams but it could impact where he’s chosen.
“Shooting the ball is a major problem for some of the teams picking high in the draft. Charlotte, Washington and Sacramento were the three worst 3-point shooting teams in the league last season. Simply looking for a shooter could be short-sided though. Just depends on how high MKG’s ‘upside’ is in the minds of those teams,” Standig said.
Kidd-Gilchrist’s winning attitude is a plus. He won a state high school title, gold medal with a U.S. team and the national title at UK.
“I definitely think that helps. The Wizards certainly lacked that aspect the last season and a half before making the deal for Nene. Still, not sure that matters the most to say a team like the Bobcats lacking talent. He’s also so young, not sure veterans will let a kid lead, not right away anyway,” Standig said.
If the Wizards did take Kidd-Gilchrist, it would pair him with former UK star John Wall.
“Talk about a dynamic duo in the open court. Wall loves going up tempo and MKG showed he can do damage on the break,” the columnist said. “Again, the Wizards need shooters. Wall shot 7.1 percent from 3-point range last season —not a typo. Looking at a likely starting five with Kidd-Gilchrist, the only knockdown shooter for Washington is Nene and you’re talking free throw line and in. Could be great in open court, but the half-court offense could be problematic.”
Standig says the Wizards must have liked all they saw from Wall’s UK¿career because they have also worked out Darius Miller.
“I can also see Doron Lamb being a good fit because of the way he shoots the ball,” Standig said.
Kidd-Gilchrist said at the recent NBA combine that he felt the Wizards would go from a losing team to a “playoff team” next year with him.
Standig isn’t quite sure where Kidd-Gilchrist will fall in the draft.
“Could he go two? Sure, but if Charlotte keeps the pick it seems like (Thomas) Robinson (of Kansas) makes the most sense. Washington and Cleveland need shooters, and guys like Bradley Beal and Harrison Barnes are around. I can’t see MKG getting past five, but in my mock that’s where I have him. Again, anywhere two to five would not stun me. He definitely has his supporters.”
Standig doesn’t think Kidd-Gilchrist’s questionable outside shooting will “scare” teams but it could impact where he’s chosen.
“Shooting the ball is a major problem for some of the teams picking high in the draft. Charlotte, Washington and Sacramento were the three worst 3-point shooting teams in the league last season. Simply looking for a shooter could be short-sided though. Just depends on how high MKG’s ‘upside’ is in the minds of those teams,” Standig said.
Kidd-Gilchrist’s winning attitude is a plus. He won a state high school title, gold medal with a U.S. team and the national title at UK.
“I definitely think that helps. The Wizards certainly lacked that aspect the last season and a half before making the deal for Nene. Still, not sure that matters the most to say a team like the Bobcats lacking talent. He’s also so young, not sure veterans will let a kid lead, not right away anyway,” Standig said.
If the Wizards did take Kidd-Gilchrist, it would pair him with former UK star John Wall.
“Talk about a dynamic duo in the open court. Wall loves going up tempo and MKG showed he can do damage on the break,” the columnist said. “Again, the Wizards need shooters. Wall shot 7.1 percent from 3-point range last season —not a typo. Looking at a likely starting five with Kidd-Gilchrist, the only knockdown shooter for Washington is Nene and you’re talking free throw line and in. Could be great in open court, but the half-court offense could be problematic.”
Standig says the Wizards must have liked all they saw from Wall’s UK¿career because they have also worked out Darius Miller.
“I can also see Doron Lamb being a good fit because of the way he shoots the ball,” Standig said.
