Leap Year - The Kemba Walker Thread III

[mrknowitall215]

I'm higher on MKG without Kemba, and higher on Kemba without MKG. That's a dilemma that may never go away.

...but the problem has always been what's between them at SG (Henderson, Stephenson). There's really no dilemma besides that Cho haven't seriously addressed the shooting guard position nor wing depth over the years until now to some degree pending on what Lamb can become or better yet if Batum could put up career numbers

[LofJ]

I'm higher on MKG without Kemba, and higher on Kemba without MKG. That's a dilemma that may never go away.

People always find a way back home eventually

[mrknowitall215]

Kemba is going to have Batum on the wings this year, so things should be easier for him.[/youtube]

Batum may not be far from a ideal fit at shooting guard but I think he has some distance. In fact, he's not even a shooting guard, but I'm trying to be optimistic that he can return from a career worst season to have career best numbers. The ideal wing between Kemba & MKG should be somebody that can consistently score at least 15 points in 30 minutes of playing time while being a 3-point threat

[mrknowitall215]

I think it's possible that for a top tier team Kemba might be best suited for a sixth man role. If a miracle happens and we somehow manage to get Curry I actually expect that to happen. With that said, I'm certainly not saying he shouldn't be our starter this season or that there is a better option.

Replace Tony Parker on the Spurs with Kemba and they're still a top team/championship contender...sum of parts

[LofJ]

Kemba is going to have Batum on the wings this year, so things should be easier for him.[/youtube]

Batum may not be far from a ideal fit at shooting guard but I think he has some distance. In fact, he's not even a shooting guard, but I'm trying to be optimistic that he can return from a career worst season to have career best numbers. The ideal wing between Kemba & MKG should be somebody that can consistently score at least 15 points in 30 minutes of playing time while being a 3-point threat

There isn't much differnce, if any at all, between SG and SF. It's all about having players who complement one another. Batum complements both MKG (shooting) and Kemba (playmaking) much better than Henderson did. Batum has it in him to score 15 points per 30 minutes if he's consistently aggressive on offense. We need him to play that way so hopefully he will, the $ will be waiting for him if he does.

[BigSlam]

I think it's possible that for a top tier team Kemba might be best suited for a sixth man role. If a miracle happens and we somehow manage to get Curry I actually expect that to happen. With that said, I'm certainly not saying he shouldn't be our starter this season or that there is a better option.

Replace Tony Parker on the Spurs with Kemba and they're still a top team/championship contender...sum of parts

No way are they the same team.

At all.

If you truly believe that then your homerism has made you undervalue Parker in such a way it is hard to take you seriously with anything associated to Kemba.

[Robot Rock]

This is SUCH a ridiculous statement.

Kemba's main source of struggles are obvious. He had them during his years at UConn and his years with Charlotte long before Al arrived. You can't associate his struggles with one team mate when he's had them his entire career. Hasn't mattered what team he's played on, who he's played with or who has coached him.

Kemba's main source of struggles is himself and his ability.

I guess it's just easier for you to pin the blame on the popular whipping boy in Al - even though Al's only played with him a couple of years and Kemba's play has been an issue his entire career.

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Slam trashing Kemba for the 1,000th time. Hold on and let me see if I can act surprised.

Kemba apologists making excuses for Kemba's poor play for the 1,000,000,000,000th time rather than addressing the common denominator (I'll give you a clue: It's Kemba). Hold on and let me see if I can act surprised


(see what I did there? Did 'ya? Did 'ya?)

Please. I'd expect more from a Mod than to trash one of the team's best players literally every chance he gets, but with you, it's no longer a surprise. I get you don't like the guy. But it's time to stop ragging on him all the damn time. There's so much negativity and pessimism on this board it's no wonder I rarely post. Even the Carolina Huddle is better now, and that's saying something.

[Mystical Apples]

Kemba is going to have Batum on the wings this year, so things should be easier for him.[/youtube]

Batum may not be far from a ideal fit at shooting guard but I think he has some distance. In fact, he's not even a shooting guard, but I'm trying to be optimistic that he can return from a career worst season to have career best numbers. The ideal wing between Kemba & MKG should be somebody that can consistently score at least 15 points in 30 minutes of playing time while being a 3-point threat

There isn't much differnce, if any at all, between SG and SF. It's all about having players who complement one another. Batum complements both MKG (shooting) and Kemba (playmaking) much better than Henderson did. Batum has it in him to score 15 points per 30 minutes if he's consistently aggressive on offense. We need him to play that way so hopefully he will, the $ will be waiting for him if he does.

Batum's value is in his versatility. he usually started at 3 but also ~15% at the SG. Also played a little PG and consistently switches over to guarding PG's. Guarding the PG's isn't a small thing for a guy who can switch up to 3 or even 4.

[mrknowitall215]

I think it's possible that for a top tier team Kemba might be best suited for a sixth man role. If a miracle happens and we somehow manage to get Curry I actually expect that to happen. With that said, I'm certainly not saying he shouldn't be our starter this season or that there is a better option.

Replace Tony Parker on the Spurs with Kemba and they're still a top team/championship contender...sum of parts

No way are they the same team.

At all.

If you truly believe that then your homerism has made you undervalue Parker in such a way it is hard to take you seriously with anything associated to Kemba.

They don't have to be the same team, but they'll still be a championship contender. I never stated that Kemba is better than Parker, but I'm sure your hateism made you read it that way

[Robot Rock]

I actually don't think that "shot selection" is Kemba's issue. I think that "heat check" is.

That kind of sound logic has no place here. You'd be better off comparing Kemba to Mateen Cleaves or Troy Bell, or MKG to LeBron and Biz to Mutombo. Anything else and you'd be a pariah here.

[LofJ]

Batum may not be far from a ideal fit at shooting guard but I think he has some distance. In fact, he's not even a shooting guard, but I'm trying to be optimistic that he can return from a career worst season to have career best numbers. The ideal wing between Kemba & MKG should be somebody that can consistently score at least 15 points in 30 minutes of playing time while being a 3-point threat

There isn't much differnce, if any at all, between SG and SF. It's all about having players who complement one another. Batum complements both MKG (shooting) and Kemba (playmaking) much better than Henderson did. Batum has it in him to score 15 points per 30 minutes if he's consistently aggressive on offense. We need him to play that way so hopefully he will, the $ will be waiting for him if he does.

Batum's value is in his versatility. he usually started at 3 but also ~15% at the SG. Also played a little PG and consistently switches over to guarding PG's. Guarding the PG's isn't a small thing for a guy who can switch up to 3 or even 4.

I agree, MKG can do the same thing and it will easily be the strength of our defense next year. Teams that rely on their perimeter players to score are going to struggle against us. That includes teams like the Wizards, Raptors, Celtics, Pacers, Heat, and several others.

[BigSlam]

Slam trashing Kemba for the 1,000th time. Hold on and let me see if I can act surprised.

Kemba apologists making excuses for Kemba's poor play for the 1,000,000,000,000th time rather than addressing the common denominator (I'll give you a clue: It's Kemba). Hold on and let me see if I can act surprised


(see what I did there? Did 'ya? Did 'ya?)

Please. I'd expect more from a Mod than to trash one of the team's best players literally every chance he gets, but with you, it's no longer a surprise. I get you don't like the guy. But it's time to stop ragging on him all the damn time. There's so much negativity and pessimism on this board it's no wonder I rarely post. Even the Carolina Huddle is better now, and that's saying something.

Mod schmod. You think mod's aren't allowed to have opinions on players? Really? Dude.......

You don't get anything at all. When have I ever said I don't like Kemba? I liked him at UConn and I was happy when we drafted him. That said, I'm not going to gloss over his weaknesses - just like I won't not call Henderson out for never developing a left hand or a three point shot or Big Al for playing "defense" by slapping down at the ball or for setting softer screens than my 7 year old would set or Vonleh for looking lost or Stephenson for having horrible body language and trying to make fancy passes when simpler ones would make more sense or Cody for going up soft and flailing about or Biyombo for having stone hands etc.

Pity you don't like the culture of the board - because you are such a ray of sunshine.

[Mystical Apples]

There isn't much differnce, if any at all, between SG and SF. It's all about having players who complement one another. Batum complements both MKG (shooting) and Kemba (playmaking) much better than Henderson did. Batum has it in him to score 15 points per 30 minutes if he's consistently aggressive on offense. We need him to play that way so hopefully he will, the $ will be waiting for him if he does.

Batum's value is in his versatility. he usually started at 3 but also ~15% at the SG. Also played a little PG and consistently switches over to guarding PG's. Guarding the PG's isn't a small thing for a guy who can switch up to 3 or even 4.

I agree, MKG can do the same thing and it will easily be the strength of our defense next year. Teams that rely on their perimeter players to score are going to struggle against us.

I'm excited to see what this roster does. I'm high on MKG too. A defensive wing surrounded by shooters and ball movement can be a weapon as a cutter. If cody makes another leap things could get real interesting

[BigSlam]

Replace Tony Parker on the Spurs with Kemba and they're still a top team/championship contender...sum of parts

No way are they the same team.

At all.

If you truly believe that then your homerism has made you undervalue Parker in such a way it is hard to take you seriously with anything associated to Kemba.

They don't have to be the same team, but they'll still be a championship contender. I never stated that Kemba is better than Parker, but I'm sure your hateism made you read it that way

You would have been better served to use the championship Heat team and replacing Chalmers with Kemba.

[mrknowitall215]

No way are they the same team.

At all.

If you truly believe that then your homerism has made you undervalue Parker in such a way it is hard to take you seriously with anything associated to Kemba.

They don't have to be the same team, but they'll still be a championship contender. I never stated that Kemba is better than Parker, but I'm sure your hateism made you read it that way

You would have been better served to use the championship Heat team and replacing Chalmers with Kemba.

You could use that as a example too if you care to. I preferred my analogy, but it still has the same outcome about having a sum of parts. How about, I doubt the Spurs are questionable to even make the playoffs in the Western Conference if you replace Tim Duncan with Cody Zeller

[BigSlam]

They don't have to be the same team, but they'll still be a championship contender. I never stated that Kemba is better than Parker, but I'm sure your hateism made you read it that way

You would have been better served to use the championship Heat team and replacing Chalmers with Kemba.

You could use that as a example too if you care to. I preferred my analogy, but it still has the same outcome about having a sum of parts. How about, I doubt the Spurs are questionable to even make the playoffs in the Western Conference if you replace Tim Duncan with Cody Zeller

Great - so you have established that Kemba needs to be surrounded by super stars close to the prime of their careers in order to be effective?

[Robot Rock]

Kemba apologists making excuses for Kemba's poor play for the 1,000,000,000,000th time rather than addressing the common denominator (I'll give you a clue: It's Kemba). Hold on and let me see if I can act surprised


(see what I did there? Did 'ya? Did 'ya?)

Please. I'd expect more from a Mod than to trash one of the team's best players literally every chance he gets, but with you, it's no longer a surprise. I get you don't like the guy. But it's time to stop ragging on him all the damn time. There's so much negativity and pessimism on this board it's no wonder I rarely post. Even the Carolina Huddle is better now, and that's saying something.

Mod schmod. You think mod's aren't allowed to have opinions on players? Really? Dude.......

You don't get anything at all. When have I ever said I don't like Kemba? I liked him at UConn and I was happy when we drafted him. That said, I'm not going to gloss over his weaknesses - just like I won't not call Henderson out for never developing a left hand or a three point shot or Big Al for playing "defense" by slapping down at the ball or for setting softer screens than my 7 year old would set or Vonleh for looking lost or Stephenson for having horrible body language and trying to make fancy passes when simpler ones would make more sense or Cody for going up soft and flailing about or Biyombo for having stone hands etc.

Pity you don't like the culture of the board - because you are such a ray of sunshine.

I've actually always been a damned slice of the sun compared to 99% of the folks who post on here. I don't call for people to get cut or fired during every game. That alone sets me above the majority.

And literally all the hell I see is you trashing Kemba. You said his weaknesses are his game. In what way? He needs to shoot a higher percentage, yes. But so did the rest of the team. Maybe, just maybe, that's more scheme-related than it is player-related. When you have the ball in the low block for 19 seconds of the shot clock and kick it out to a PG, who's he gonna toss it to in favor of shooting a contested shot? Lance? Hendo? MKG? Biz? LOL.

This is the first season the Hornets have legitimately put shooters around Kemba. I would look for him to have a very strong season. I also will be the one to buck the BS trend of Kemba vs. Lin. I like both of those guys, think they're gonna be a nice pair and anyone who likes one but dislikes the other can just get over it.

[mrknowitall215]

Great - so you have established that Kemba needs to be surrounded by super stars close to the prime of their careers in order to be effective?

No, no, no, I've established a lot more than that. I've established that a player need a sum of parts to make a championship caliber team. Perceptually Kemba would be viewed in a different light if he had at least one other star or superstar on the team that could help carry the Hornets to contention. I've established that it's not Kemba that's holding the team back, but a lack of surrounding talent. It's not that difficult to comprehend. Dwyane Wade is one of the greatest shooting guards to ever play the game, but even in his prime he needed a sum of parts to contend and when he didn't he missed the playoffs or was bounced in the 1st round. I want to omit that last sentence before you think I'm comparing Kemba to Wade, but it should resonate as sensible to a sensible person that even a great player can't carry dead weight on a ill-fitted roster

[BigSlam]

Please. I'd expect more from a Mod than to trash one of the team's best players literally every chance he gets, but with you, it's no longer a surprise. I get you don't like the guy. But it's time to stop ragging on him all the damn time. There's so much negativity and pessimism on this board it's no wonder I rarely post. Even the Carolina Huddle is better now, and that's saying something.

Mod schmod. You think mod's aren't allowed to have opinions on players? Really? Dude.......

You don't get anything at all. When have I ever said I don't like Kemba? I liked him at UConn and I was happy when we drafted him. That said, I'm not going to gloss over his weaknesses - just like I won't not call Henderson out for never developing a left hand or a three point shot or Big Al for playing "defense" by slapping down at the ball or for setting softer screens than my 7 year old would set or Vonleh for looking lost or Stephenson for having horrible body language and trying to make fancy passes when simpler ones would make more sense or Cody for going up soft and flailing about or Biyombo for having stone hands etc.

Pity you don't like the culture of the board - because you are such a ray of sunshine.

I've actually always been a damned slice of the sun compared to 99% of the folks who post on here. I don't call for people to get cut or fired during every game. That alone sets me above the majority.

Don't see you post enough here to be able to judge how you react to be honest. But yes, just like most boards and I assume the one you referenced earlier - some posters tend to go off the deep end after losses.

And literally all the hell I see is you trashing Kemba.

Look at threads outside of Kemba ones then? And, again, I don't always "thrash" him, but I'm also not oblivious to his short comings.

This is the first season the Hornets have legitimately put shooters around Kemba.

Then I guess he has never, ever in his career had shooters around him? Because his stats suggest he's always been sub par dating all the way back though his NBA and NCAA careers.

You said his weaknesses are his game. In what way?

You claim "literally all the hell I see is you trashing Kemba". If that is the case then I shouldn't need to answer this question - because you've already seen what I have written.

He needs to shoot a higher percentage, yes. But so did the rest of the team. Maybe, just maybe, that's more scheme-related than it is player-related. When you have the ball in the low block for 19 seconds of the shot clock and kick it out to a PG, who's he gonna toss it to in favor of shooting a contested shot? Lance? Hendo? MKG? Biz? LOL.

Then I guess he has never, ever in his career had a good scheme to play in Because his stats suggest he's always been sub par dating all the way back though his NBA and NCAA careers.

I would look for him to have a very strong season.

I really, really hope so. As I said earlier in the week, if we are to stand a chance of being a great team (not good, great) then we are going to need "December Kemba" to be the norm and not the exception.

I also will be the one to buck the BS trend of Kemba vs. Lin. I like both of those guys, think they're gonna be a nice pair and anyone who likes one but dislikes the other can just get over it.

Agreed. It's fantastic to have two good PG's. Havent had that since Livingston left.

[BigSlam]

I want to omit that last sentence before you think I'm comparing Kemba to Wade

Too funny - because that's exactly where I went, because it's what you did.