National Basketball Association

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist wants to be the NBA's best defender ever

Published Mar. 16, 2015 12:52 p.m. ET

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It's a pretty decent list of names when one starts talking about the best defenders in NBA history: Bill Russell. Dennis Rodman. Hakeem Olajuwon. Scottie Pippen. David Robinson. Dikembe Mutombo. Alvin Robertson. Ben Wallace. It's a lot of big guys and some of the greatest wings and guards ever to play the game.

Charlotte Hornets wing Michael Kidd-Gilchrist wants his name to be among those giants someday. Actually, scratch that; his coach wants his name to be among those giants someday. MKG wants to be atop them all.

Charlotte Hornets coach Steve Clifford made a bold statement recently, saying small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has the talent to be the best perimeter defender among this generation of NBA players.

Not bold enough apparently. On Thursday Kidd-Gilchrist trumped Clifford’s expectation.

“I want to say ever; not just in the league (now). The best defender this league has seen,” Kidd-Gilchrist told the Observer.

(Read more at CharlotteObserver.com)