I just realized that Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was recently excised from the Hornets’ rotation in favor of Frank Kaminsky. Previously, I hadn’t bothered to look at whose playing time was affected by Kaminsky’s re-insertion into the lineup. I just assumed it was, like, Bismack Biyombo or Willy Hernangomez or Cody Zeller. I didn’t expect that coach Burgerino would bench one of the Hornets’ semi-recent high draft choices, but that’s where we’re at now.
Let it be known that, while I have been hard on MKG in the past for not really developing into any kind of consistent offensive player, I do understand the value that his defense brings to the team. Burgerino must understand that value too. However, it seems like Burgerino is prioritizing scoring over defense with this Kaminsky-MKG lineup swap. Because we know that Kaminsky can’t defend anything except middle-schoolers with those T-Rex arms of his, and even then, he’ll probably block more shots with his extra-tall Jimmy Neutron forehead than he ever would with his actual arms.
The new focus on offensive potency worked out well for the Hornets last night, as they scored 86 points, twenty of which were from Kaminsky, and lost to the Heat. Whatever Burgerino is telling those guys in the huddle, it definitely is working and there’s no reason to be concerned.