Juke Skywalker - The Kemba Walker Thread II

[Snidely FC]

To me Kemba is the biggest worry on this team. I've seen many bitter comments about Hendo, Taylor and Zeller, but to be a championship level team - and that's what this whole tear down the last several years was about, right? - a modern NBA team needs a point guard who can run the pick n roll or the drive and kick, and Kemba hasn't shown any signs of being able to do either. I know the argument - he has no one to pass to, bug great point guards make those around them better. For instance, if Kemba could drive and kick, then guys like Hendo and Taylor would look like better shooters. I wonder if Kemba can do this because we don't ever see him try.

I do think that Clifford's offense takes away some of the things Kemba could accomplish - why are they not running pnrs now that Al is in the fold? - but the pick n roll and drive and kick have never been part of his game so I worry he won't be able to run them.

[mrknowitall215]

To me Kemba is the biggest worry on this team.

You must like to worry about the smaller things in life, and miss out on the bigger picture, because this is reaching. There's no way you can consider Kemba the biggest detriment to the team

I've seen many bitter comments about Hendo, Taylor and Zeller

League average PER (player efficiency rating) is set at 15. Henderson currently has a PER of 12.5 while both Taylor & Zeller sit around 7.5 PER. All of them are playing below average basketball. That's why the bitter comments have been geared towards them. It's not unjustified criticism. It has merit

a modern NBA team needs a point guard who can run the pick n roll or the drive and kick, and Kemba hasn't shown any signs of being able to do either. I know the argument - he has no one to pass to, bug great point guards make those around them better. For instance, if Kemba could drive and kick, then guys like Hendo and Taylor would look like better shooters. I wonder if Kemba can do this because we don't ever see him try.

With the offense in his hands last season, Kemba was one of the better pick & roll players in the league at PPP (points per possession). He can run the pick & roll successfully, even if it doesn't result in an assist in his stat column. As far as being able to drive & kick to Henderson & Taylor, how many times have we seen Kemba drive & kick to one of them only to watch them either (in Henderson's case) hold the ball to set up a post fadeaway or (in Taylor's case) pump fake the open shot until the defender close on him

I do think that Clifford's offense takes away some of the things Kemba could accomplish - why are they not running pnrs now that Al is in the fold? - but the pick n roll and drive and kick have never been part of his game so I worry he won't be able to run them.

Clifford need to focus on playing to every player on the roster's strengths, and not just Al Jefferson & Josh McRoberts. Plenty of players on the roster are not being put in positions to succeed on the offensive end, specifically MKG, Kemba, and Zeller. Those three players are being misused on offense, and are expected to make grape juice out of raisins, then we wonder why they are playing like prune juice aka disappointing

[Snidely FC]

To me Kemba is the biggest worry on this team.

You must like to worry about the smaller things in life, and miss out on the bigger picture, because this is reaching. There's no way you can consider Kemba the biggest detriment to the team

I've seen many bitter comments about Hendo, Taylor and Zeller

League average PER (player efficiency rating) is set at 15. Henderson currently has a PER of 12.5 while both Taylor & Zeller sit around 7.5 PER. All of them are playing below average basketball. That's why the bitter comments have been geared towards them. It's not unjustified criticism. It has merit

a modern NBA team needs a point guard who can run the pick n roll or the drive and kick, and Kemba hasn't shown any signs of being able to do either. I know the argument - he has no one to pass to, bug great point guards make those around them better. For instance, if Kemba could drive and kick, then guys like Hendo and Taylor would look like better shooters. I wonder if Kemba can do this because we don't ever see him try.

With the offense in his hands last season, Kemba was one of the better pick & roll players in the league at PPP (points per possession). He can run the pick & roll successfully, even if it doesn't result in an assist in his stat column. As far as being able to drive & kick to Henderson & Taylor, how many times have we seen Kemba drive & kick to one of them only to watch them either (in Henderson's case) hold the ball to set up a post fadeaway or (in Taylor's case) pump fake the open shot until the defender close on him

I do think that Clifford's offense takes away some of the things Kemba could accomplish - why are they not running pnrs now that Al is in the fold? - but the pick n roll and drive and kick have never been part of his game so I worry he won't be able to run them.

Clifford need to focus on playing to every player on the roster's strengths, and not just Al Jefferson & Josh McRoberts. Plenty of players on the roster are not being put in positions to succeed on the offensive end, specifically MKG, Kemba, and Zeller. Those three players are being misused on offense, and are expected to make grape juice out of raisins, then we wonder why they are playing like prune juice aka disappointing

And thank you for about worrying about me:) Seriously, Mr. KIA, at this time of Thanksgiving I am thankful to have you on this board, you are one of the clear minds here.

Since you are a Philly guy, I want to try to explain my post by comparing Kemba to Alan Iverson. I think Kemba is the most talented player on our team right now. No question. The question I have relates to how you build a team around him. Does CHA keep Clifford, and if so, does Kemba's style of play fit Cliffords' offense? Does CHA keep the roster largely as constituted, as many parts doen't fit with Kemba, or do you find a point guard who fits better with existing parts (a Geroge Hill 3&D PG type, say?). If we put the ball in his hands and let him run the game the way Iverson did then Kemba's a multi time All-Star. Do you win a championship with Kemba? I'm always happy to get your take . . . I want to hear what other people think.

[LamarMatic7]

That shouldn't suck. John Wall is playing like the best PG in the Eastern Conference

You got me there. With Rose and Rondo out of the picture, John Wall actually is the best point guard in the whole conference. Wow, I hadn't thought of that.

However, that isn't really the point. The point is that Wall is a supposedly bad shooter, yet Kemba has basically the same shot chart as him.

[mrknowitall215]

Since you are a Philly guy, I want to try to explain my post by comparing Kemba to Alan Iverson. I think Kemba is the most talented player on our team right now. No question. The question I have relates to how you build a team around him. Does CHA keep Clifford, and if so, does Kemba's style of play fit Cliffords' offense? Does CHA keep the roster largely as constituted, as many parts doen't fit with Kemba, or do you find a point guard who fits better with existing parts (a Geroge Hill 3&D PG type, say?). If we put the ball in his hands and let him run the game the way Iverson did then Kemba's a multi time All-Star. Do you win a championship with Kemba? I'm always happy to get your take . . . I want to hear what other people think.

I wouldn't compare Kemba Walker to Allen Iverson. I would compare Kyrie Irving to Iverson, minus the heart & hustle. Combine Kemba's strengths & Kyrie strengths, and you might have a Iverson clone. Overall, Kemba reminds me of a Terrell Brandon type of scoring point guard that'll get better as a passer through time. I'm not one to believe in having a PG that need to average close to 10 assist per game to win a championship, and it hasn't really happened often if at all in the modern day of the NBA. Basketball is a team game where it is best won in an 'assist by committee' aspect. I think Kemba will excel if Charlotte surrounded him with at least one scoring wing player, SG or SF, that could be a secondary ball handler. That's why I'm high on the thought of them landing either Jabari Parker or Marcus Smart in the upcoming draft

As far as Clifford's offense, I don't think he has any particular structure. He's just not a offensive savant. Don't overthink what type of player he need as a coach to fit into his offensive system because he really doesn't have one from what I've seen

Charlotte can win a championship with Kemba when they add a wing player that's better than him at creating his own shot. It's that simple, and that's not Kemba's fault. That's Cho's ordeal to figure out through the draft or free agency. As the best lottery pick of the Bobcats franchise history, it would be shameful if they didn't continue their rebuild by building around him. Kemba isn't the problem. Do you think Kemba will hinder the growth of a player that can get his? No, because they'll be able to play off of each other. Charlotte need to stop drafting/acquiring players that are role players that need others to make them productive. They need more go-getters

[mrknowitall215]

That shouldn't suck. John Wall is playing like the best PG in the Eastern Conference

You got me there. With Rose and Rondo out of the picture, John Wall actually is the best point guard in the whole conference. Wow, I hadn't thought of that.

However, that isn't really the point. The point is that Wall is a supposedly bad shooter, yet Kemba has basically the same shot chart as him.

Wall has been shooting decent from midrange lately (three straight games of 30+ points with that midrange jumper being his go-to shot)

[LamarMatic7]

That shouldn't suck. John Wall is playing like the best PG in the Eastern Conference

You got me there. With Rose and Rondo out of the picture, John Wall actually is the best point guard in the whole conference. Wow, I hadn't thought of that.

However, that isn't really the point. The point is that Wall is a supposedly bad shooter, yet Kemba has basically the same shot chart as him.

Wall has been shooting decent from midrange lately (three straight games of 30+ points with that midrange jumper being his go-to shot)

The three pointer is the one that worries me more. His percentages on the shot chart look better than Kemba's.

[mrknowitall215]

You got me there. With Rose and Rondo out of the picture, John Wall actually is the best point guard in the whole conference. Wow, I hadn't thought of that.

However, that isn't really the point. The point is that Wall is a supposedly bad shooter, yet Kemba has basically the same shot chart as him.

Wall has been shooting decent from midrange lately (three straight games of 30+ points with that midrange jumper being his go-to shot)

The three pointer is the one that worries me more. His percentages on the shot chart look better than Kemba's.

3-point shooting isn't the strength of Kemba's game, but 30% from there isn't the end of the world. That's about average. You'll just have to chalk it up and give Wall credit as an improved shooter being that he's currently shooting 35% from beyond the arc even though that was widely considered a weakness of his beforehand

[LamarMatic7]

Wall has been shooting decent from midrange lately (three straight games of 30+ points with that midrange jumper being his go-to shot)

The three pointer is the one that worries me more. His percentages on the shot chart look better than Kemba's.

3-point shooting isn't the strength of Kemba's game, but 30% from there isn't the end of the world. That's about average. You'll just have to chalk it up and give Wall credit as an improved shooter being that he's currently shooting 35% from beyond the arc even though that was widely considered a weakness of his beforehand

I'd say 30% from there for a starting point guard is a bit weaker than average.

[mrknowitall215]

I'd say 30% from there for a starting point guard is a bit weaker than average.

True, but I think his percentages are rising from the earlier season shooting woes. I think Kemba will finish the season around 35% from three

[LamarMatic7]

I'd say 30% from there for a starting point guard is a bit weaker than average.

True, but I think his percentages are rising from the earlier season shooting woes. I think Kemba will finish the season around 35% from three

Good point. He's 41% in the last 7 games. Right before it there was an ugly 5-game stretch of 3/20.

[JDR720]

over the last 5 games Kemba had shot 46% and that is counting the 3-17 game, he needs more assists tho but i blame that on the offense running through McBob

[LamarMatic7]

over the last 5 games Kemba had shot 46% and that is counting the 3-17 game, he needs more assists tho but i blame that on the offense running through McBob

You can't blame all of it on the offense though.

If you check out synergy sports, Kemba has run just as much pick-n-rolls as John Wall has, per example. Kemba only averages half of what Wall dishes out per game though. Also - if you're capable of going 3/17, you definitely have the ball enough to get more assists. Kemba's usage rate is also at an all-time high.

Heck, I don't even need to shove random stats upon you. We all just can go by the eye test which says that he penetrates more than enough to give out more than 4 assists per game.

[mrknowitall215]

over the last 5 games Kemba had shot 46% and that is counting the 3-17 game, he needs more assists tho but i blame that on the offense running through McBob

The Bobcats need to simplify their offense down to establishing Jefferson in the post as the 1st option, and if that don't work, run a pick & roll with Kemba & Jefferson as a 2nd option. With McRoberts shooting around 35% from the 3-point line, the ball shouldn't be in his hands, instead he should be spotting up all the while dragging his defender, the other big, out to the 3-point line as he spot-up on the wing while Kemba & Jefferson run the pick & roll on the opposite wing

[LamarMatic7]

over the last 5 games Kemba had shot 46% and that is counting the 3-17 game, he needs more assists tho but i blame that on the offense running through McBob

The Bobcats need to simplify their offense down to establishing Jefferson in the post as the 1st option, and if that don't work, run a pick & roll with Kemba & Jefferson as a 2nd option. With McRoberts shooting around 35% from the 3-point line, the ball shouldn't be in his hands, instead he should be spotting up all the while dragging his defender, the other big, out to the 3-point line as he spot-up on the wing while Kemba & Jefferson run the pick & roll on the opposite wing

I kind off like generating offense of McRoberts though. It probably isn't a coincidence that he has the highest offensive rating on the team.

[Snidely FC]

Great game from Kemba tonight v. MIA. Happy to see some nice pnrs with Al and some sweet passes to Al and McBob in the paint. Nice.

[catch20two]

Great game from Kemba tonight v. MIA. Happy to see some nice pnrs with Al and some sweet passes to Al and McBob in the paint. Nice.

That pick-and-roll between Kemba and Jefferson has been a clinic but we barely go to it. Tonight was the most I've seen us use it. Hopefully Clifford plans on implementing it more and more. Our offense finally looked competent and against a good defensive team in Miami.

[fatlever]

i know a lot of people keep talking about wanting kemba to be used in more pick and roll situations, as opposed to having mcroberts run the offense.

here are some numbers per mysynergysports.com

kemba 37% of the time kemba has the ball its in pick and roll (highest of his usages percentages). we are scoring 0.66 points per possession on those plays (which is awful). for comparison, he scored 1.16 ppp in isolations and 1.13 ppp coming off screens (not as ball handler) and 1.07 ppp in hand-off situations.

kemba is shooting 33% on shots as the ball handler in pick and roll situations.

overall when kemba has the ball we score 0.82 ppp, compared to 0.88 ppp for mcroberts.

perhaps i am misunderstanding these numbers, so feel free to correct me if i am wrong.

[mrknowitall215]

i know a lot of people keep talking about wanting kemba to be used in more pick and roll situations, as opposed to having mcroberts run the offense.

here are some numbers per mysynergysports.com

kemba 37% of the time kemba has the ball its in pick and roll (highest of his usages percentages). we are scoring 0.66 points per possession on those plays (which is awful). for comparison, he scored 1.16 ppp in isolations and 1.13 ppp coming off screens (not as ball handler) and 1.07 ppp in hand-off situations.

kemba is shooting 33% on shots as the ball handler in pick and roll situations.

overall when kemba has the ball we score 0.82 ppp, compared to 0.88 ppp for mcroberts.

perhaps i am misunderstanding these numbers, so feel free to correct me if i am wrong.

Some of these overtly advanced stats don't factor in certain things that the eye does. Like for instance, there's no way that Jeff Taylor should have a higher usage rate than Josh McRoberts, but that's what the lick reads. From what I've seen, Charlotte's offense would be a lot better served in getting open shots if Kemba Walker is splitting pick & rolls or dishing to Al Jefferson off the roll. I have yet to see Jefferson miss that little dump off midrange jumper from Kemba yet, and I've seen it only about a handful of times

[fatlever]

the usage stat for mcroberts makes no sense. we can agree on that.

however, points per possession isnt a fancy advanced stat. that is a very basic stat. clifford said his dad taught him about points per possession 40 years ago.