Observations from Charlotte's Friday night win over Sacramento.
• If the Charlotte Bobcats can maintain anything like the fast tempo of Friday’s first half, this will get interesting. Likewise, if rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist can make threes like he did, it will be rough keeping him off the rim.
The Bobcats rolled over the Sacramento Kings, never trailing in a 121-87 opener in the Las Vegas summer league. Kidd-Gilchrist had 18 points and eight rebounds. Byron Mullens had 20 points and seven rebounds.
• Second-round pick Jeff Taylor (17 points) was billed as a shooter and he didn’t disappoint, making 7 of 10 and 3 of 4 3-pointers. Key element for Taylor – he has a quick, one-motion release, so he doesn’t need much separation to get off his shot.
• The Bobcats are waiting for answers from free-agent power forwards Kris Humphries and Antawn Jamison. If neither of those possibilities works out, Carl Landry could be an option to fill the Bobcats’ last inside roster spot.
A 6-9 power forward, Landry was productive when healthy for the New Orleans Hornets last season, averaging 12.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 50 percent shooting from the field. The problem has been injuries: He’s missed at least 25 games each of the past three seasons (one with the Sacramento Kings, the last two with the Hornets).
• Gastonia’s Hassan Whiteside threw down a nasty first-quarter dunk on Mullens.
• Kidd-Gilchrist could be up there with Gerald Wallace in best finisher on the break. Showed great body control on a reverse layup in transition. Finishes strong with either hand.
• Fans keep asking if Kidd-Gilchrist will wear jersey No. 14. Bobcats say he hasn’t made a final decision on a jersey number.
• Former North Carolina star Harrison Barnes had a spectacular debut for the Golden State Warriors in a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers’ summer league team. Rookie Barnes scored 23 points off 13 shots, making all four of his 3-pointers.
Barnes was criticized as a Tar Heel for not driving enough, setting for jump shots. That wasn’t the case Friday – he scored on reverse layups, dunks and transition baskets.
