It may not show in every box score this year, but Kentucky coach John Calipari said Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s intensity and focus will be just as important to UK in the upcoming season as Terrence Jones’ scoring or Anthony Davis’ shot-blocking.
That said, it certainly showed up in the stats against Transylvania on Wednesday: the freshman shot 75 percent from the floor and had 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Kidd-Gilchrist’s attraction—beyond the 6-foot-7, 232-pound frame—is in what he brings to the game that doesn’t necessarily reflect in skin-and-bones box scores. He had one block, but a number of other shots were never taken because of his all-but-smother-you defense. He didn’t have any steals, but he forced one shot clock violation.
He started the game on the bench, and Transylvania stayed in the game largely because the Pioneers were shooting well and outworking UK. Kidd-Gilchrist subbed in with 15:43 left in the first half, and the Cats were down 11-4—a point in the game at which Pioneers coach Brian Lane said he was praying for a power surge so his team could sustain a lead longer.
Once Kidd-Gilchrist entering the game, UK ran off 13 unanswered points.
“He was the difference in what happened,” Calipari said. “He did what I knew he would do. I would say, looking at today, he’s a starter because you have to have him start the game. Can’t start the game like we did today. That’s what I would say. I’ll watch the tape and I’ll watch the game, but I think he solidified one spot with great intensity and fire, which is what we’re looking for.”
After the game, a reporter relayed Calipari’s vote of confidence to Kidd-Gilchrist. The freshman seemed unaffected.
“I mean, it’s great to know but it doesn’t mean anything. I just want to win to tell you the truth. It doesn’t matter who starts. It is great to know.
I didn’t feel any pressure at all. I knew from the start I would (come off the bench). It doesn’t bother me at all coming off the bench. I just had fun.”
Kidd-Gilchrist said the strengths of his game showed in part Wednesday, though those particular strengths weren’t necessarily highlighted in the box score. The 19 points went a long way, but Kidd-Gilchrist said he doesn’t feel like he’s on the floor to necessarily score that many points or to necessarily be the team’s second-best scorer on any given night.
He said he’s best on being physical and being relentless. He’s a defender, he said; maybe the steals won’t show up every game because the ball is simply being averted around him. He’s an away-from-the-ball player; he’ll get rebounds on defense and open up passing lanes on offense. If he gets 12 shots, he’ll take them—especially if he’s hitting them at a 75-percent rate.
But taking the box score and dumbing it down wouldn’t sufficiently describe his game, let alone his importance to Calipari’s highly talked-up team.
“Michael’s a great part of this team. He’s a great player,” Doron Lamb said. “Very athletic, active on the court. He rebounds, blocks shots, makes shots. He runs the floor. We need that. His strengths? Rebounding and playing defense. He doesn’t take plays off. He runs the floor. He’ll get a lot of layups this year because he runs so hard. And he plays just like DeAndre (Liggins) on defense. He works hard, rebounds everything that comes his way and gets every loose ball.”
