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New York Knicks vs Charlotte Hornets: 5 Players To Watch In Home-And-Home

By Kenneth Teape

Nov 17, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) dribbles the ball as New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) defends during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 17, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) dribbles the ball as New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) defends during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Knicks vs Charlotte Hornets: 5 Players To Watch In Home-And-Home
Oct 29, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) stands on the court against the Boston Celtics at the Spectrum Center. The Celtics defeated the Hornets 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Kidd-Gilchrist does a little bit of everything for the Hornets. He is averaging 8.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game. He is a jack-of-all-trades but his calling card comes on defense.

At 6-feet-7 inches tall and 232 pounds Kidd-Gilchrist gives the Hornets a very versatile player to deploy defensively. He can guard a number of different positions and really gives Steve Clifford some options as to how to play lineups. Against the Knicks, he will be asked to bring it on defense.

Kidd-Gilchrist should start the game off on Carmelo Anthony. We all know what Anthony is capable of doing offensively as he can carry the Knicks offense on his own. He hasn’t had to do it this season but he is more than capable of the need arises.

In addition to Anthony, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him slide over to defend Kristaps Porzingis. If the Hornets go small they could move Kidd-Gilchrist up to power forward and face off with the Knicks budding star. He has the size to bother Porzingis a little and is athletic enough to keep up with him on the perimeter.

He will be counted on to slow down the Knicks top two scorers. Whatever he provides offensively will be an added bonus.

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