Fansided

3 things James Borrego can do to improve the Hornets

By Rucker Haringey

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 3: Head coach James Borrego of the Orlando Magic during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 3, 2015 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 3: Head coach James Borrego of the Orlando Magic during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 3, 2015 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – APRIL 8: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist #14 of the Charlotte Hornets handles the ball against Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers on April 8, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – APRIL 8: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist #14 of the Charlotte Hornets handles the ball against Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers on April 8, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Make MKG a 4

Monk isn’t the only former Kentucky star who could use a fresh start under Borrego. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist played a lot of minutes under Clifford, but he’s in need of an innovative position switch.

In today’s NBA if you can’t shoot, you simply can’t play on the wing. That’s exactly the situation Kidd-Gilchrist finds himself in. The 24-year-old didn’t make a single 3-pointer last season. Of course, it’s hard to make one if you don’t attempt one.

That makes it an absolute requirement that his future lie in the frontcourt. Fortunately, he has the size to play as a power forward in small ball lineups for the Hornets. He’s a legitimate 6-foot-7 and he weighs a solid 232 pounds. That’s plenty big enough to guard most power forwards in the league today.

Playing as a power forward should also give Kidd-Gilchrist a better chance to be an effective offensive player. He needs to devote all of his offensive attention to making sharp cuts around the rim. His scoring will need to stem from that and offensive rebounds.

If he does all that, he has a chance to become a slightly above average league starter. That would represent a significant step forward for the former No. 2 overall pick.

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