If the Charlotte Hornets are to be anything more than first-round playoff fodder for a legitimate Eastern Conference contender this season, they need Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to have taken a step toward stardom. Unfortunately for Steve Clifford and company, though, it will be awhile before the 22-year-old can show whether or not he’s made it.
Kidd-Gilchrist could miss the beginning of the regular season after suffering a dislocated right shoulder on Saturday night in the Hornets’ first exhibition game. Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer has more.
Charlotte Hornets small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has suffered a dislocated right shoulder, which could cost him several weeks and the start of the regular season.
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Kidd-Gilchrist was transported to Florida Hospital South for X-rays, that were negative. The Hornets announced Kidd-Gilchrist’s injury is a dislocation. He is scheduled to fly back to Charlotte and be re-evaluated by doctors on Monday.
The No. 2 overall pick of the 2012 draft has already dealt with a fair share of injuries in his three-year career. Kidd-Gilchrist missed a full month of play after fracturing his left hand in December 2013, and was limited to just 55 games last season due to a stress reaction in his right foot and a sprained left ankle.
Nevertheless, Charlotte rewarded the 6’7 forward for his excellent defense and slowly developing jumper with a four-year, $52 million contract extension last month. That deal represents solid value for a player of his unique makeup, one who can check multiple positions at an All-Defense level and thrive in an uptempo offensive setting. If Kidd-Gilchrist can ever capitalize on the hard work spent with shooting coach Mark Price by improving his jump-shot to respectable levels, he has the chance to be a star.
But it didn’t happen in 2014-15 to the extent Charlotte had hoped, and this latest injury ensures that arduous process will take even longer – while compromising the team’s defense yet again. The Hornets fell off a cliff on that end without Kidd-Gilchrist last season, surrendering a stingy 96.3 points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor and a porous 104.1 when substitution patterns or injury forced him to the bench. Needless to say, pay special attention to Clifford’s defense should his bellwether force miss a portion of the regular season.
We’ll keep you updated on Kidd-Gilchrist’s progress as information becomes available. Get well soon, MKG!
[Via Charlotte Observer]
