Hornets’ campaign touts Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s defense

Defense isn’t easily quantified. The Charlotte Hornets are trying to do just that with an Internet campaign to get small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist voted onto the NBA’s All-Defensive team.

The Hornets have created a website – www.MKGsecurity.com – full of video, news articles, endorsements from opposing coaches and statistics, looking to illustrate Kidd-Gilchrist’s impact at the defensive end.

The home-security theme is similar to last season when the Hornets’ public relations department did a "Big Al’s Paint Store" campaign to highlight center Al Jefferson’s low-post scoring. Jefferson was eventually named third-team All-NBA.

Clearly there is a case to be made for Kidd-Gilchrist. He’s an elite rebounder for the small forward position, and coach Steve Clifford has called him one of the top perimeter defenders in the league.

Kidd-Gilchrist told the Observer recently he aspires to be the best defender in NBA history. His confidence soared this season once he improved a shaky jump shot that made him an offensive liability.

Kidd-Gilchrist has missed the Hornets’ past three games with a left ankle sprain. He is expected to be out at least until Tuesday’s road game against the Miami Heat.

This story was originally published April 2, 2015 at 4:25 PM with the headline "Hornets’ campaign touts Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s defense."