The Drive Friday 6-29-12-Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Jeff Taylor join The Drive in studio to talk about their draft night experiences, what past or present NBA players they would compare themselves to, and how they’ll play together with the Bobcats.
We asked Kidd-Gilchrest what NBA player reminded him most of himself. He gave the confident answer of a true competitor, but followed with a player he admires.
“I think I’m one of a kind,” said Kidd-Gilchrest. “I like Scottie Pippen.”
One off-the-court advantage to playing with the Bobcats falls in the exposure one gets to NBA great Michael Jordan. Kidd-Gilchrest admitted that he was honored to have that opportunity.
“It’s an honor. Mike is the best that ever did it, so this is a blessing too,” said Kidd-Gilchrest.
Taylor and Kidd-Gilchrest are going to be tight in the upcoming season, and Kidd Gilchrest admitted that he is “a big fan of Jeff’s game.” We asked them how their playing styles could be distinguished from each other.
“I think Mike does a really good job of rebounding the ball and attacking the glass, and in my way I do a really good job of hitting shots so I think we bring a lot of the same stuff but then some different things to the table,” said Taylor.
Although neither of the guys has had a chance to spend much time with Coach Dunlap yet, Taylor said he had a good idea of what the coach was looking for after picking himself and Kidd-Gilchrest.
“In drafting me and Mike, I think he’s looking for players who really like to guard the ball, and take pride in playing hard on both ends of the court,” said Taylor. “Obviously, they were looking for athletes—guys that can get up and down the court and finish. I think me and mike are pretty good examples of guys that love to play defense and take pride in that side of the court.”
Aside from the game, Kidd-Gilchrest seems to be very content with playing in a city like Charlotte. After working out with the Bobcats, the number two pick was pretty sold on playing here.
“It just felt like home,” said Kidd-Gilchrest.
