The Kemba Walker Thread

[captaincrunk]

DJ has got to go. Just get him out of here. One or two great games a month, a good game here and there and then a bunch of mediocre no shows throughout the entire season which is what DJ is. No consistency. People LOVE to chirp up his great games but they ignore the 40 or so no shows he has during the season. Hello? 40 or so no shows. Who cares if he plays like a superstar for 10 games??? The DJ era is over. (Thank God)


MJ should pay me for all of this excellent advice I've been giving him for the past 5 years.

You just hate DJ. I've learned to completely ignore every single thing you ever say, because it's always really bad.

EDIT This is a little harsh. But you're just a condescending **** who has been proven wrong time and time again on the court, so I don't really care what you have to say when you act like this.

[Marvel]

This board is **** ridiculous. No wonder why Spectre left here. I've been on this board for a minute and i can see who's who, what's what. Some posters loathed Kemba, but they're fans of the Charlotte Bobcats, so they now support him, same with Bismack.

Some of you vanished, when we were losing and couldn't stand some of the players we have on our team a la DJ, Felton, Okafor...now that we have some player you like, OH LO AND BEHOLD here you are, talking the same ****, different day.

I HATED Diaw, couldn't stand him, but that didn't stop me from supporting the Bobcats.

[TheKingofSting]

I just hope we get to see what they can do this year!

[Tupik]

I think we should start DJ, and wait for Kemba to try and get the starting job from him. And I don't think it's that crazy to play both of them at the same time, it worked out pretty well for Denver this season with Felton and Lawson.

[ohara]

Kemba will not be ready to start on Day 1. I have little doubt he will eventually take the starting PG job from DJ, but it will take some time. Dont throw a ton of pressure on Kemba right away. If DJ is having a good year and Kemba is also showing signs he is ready, then the ealiest you trade DJ is the Trading Deadline. If someone is in strong contention for a Playoff spot and need a PG who can score, they will pay a very handsome proce - like a 1st rounder in the 2012 Draft. If you trade him away early, they will low ball us.

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

Just MHO but I never saw DJ really run the offense that well last year. Maybe it was an artifact from LB not trusting him, but it seemed like DJ thought his job was to dribble the ball across the half-court line, then pass to Jackson or Diaw who then actually ran the set offense for 90% of the game.

DJ’s defense really suffered the longer he was in games last year too. It drove me crazy to watch his man break down the Bobcats play after play in the 4th last year. IDK if that’s because he would get tired or if the other teams actively exploited him late once they realized what he was doing.

None of this is to say that DJ is without good qualities. He’s a great shooter. He can obviously pass and make the assist. He’s made awesome hustle plays.

I do expect DJ to start. I also expect the two to spend some time on the floor together. However I also expect that in the long run DJ will be benched or traded if Kemba adjusts to the NBA game.

[Badd_Intentions]

Kemba will not be ready to start on Day 1. I have little doubt he will eventually take the starting PG job from DJ, but it will take some time. Dont throw a ton of pressure on Kemba right away. If DJ is having a good year and Kemba is also showing signs he is ready, then the ealiest you trade DJ is the Trading Deadline. If someone is in strong contention for a Playoff spot and need a PG who can score, they will pay a very handsome proce - like a 1st rounder in the 2012 Draft. If you trade him away early, they will low ball us.

I agree with holding on to DJ, at least up until the trade deadline(whenever that may be). More often than not you'd get juicier deal then than you will pre-season. I'm sure some playoff team will be looking for a guy to put them over the top, DJ could possibly be that guy. Also i'd like to see how Kemba's game progresses over the course of a season, and i'd also like to see how DJ adjusts to him being here and splitting time.

[nyhuskyfan]

Just a couple words on Kemba (I'm not going to get in a Kemba vs DJ war, since I'm not objective at all).

First of all, if it's the best thing for the team, he'll come off the bench. He did as a freshman at UConn (behind AJ Price) and would often change games in that role. I'd almost expect that chemistry-wise, it is less of a risk to bring him off the bench than to take a starting role away from an incumbent.

Someone above was talking about lack of assists in the highlight video. The game-winning shot in the Big East championship game was Kemba breaking down four defenders and feeding Jeremy Lamb for a lay-up with 30 seconds left (in UConn's final loss in the NIT last year, he found Gavin Edwards for what would've been the game-winning lay-up, but he rushed it and missed the shot). When Lamb stepped up in the postseason this year, Kemba assisted him 14 times in the NCAA Tournament. He'd come off a screen and roll and if Lamb's man helped, he'd get him the ball.

Also, it doesn't lend itself to highlight videos, but in the Arizona game in the Elite Eight, Arizona went on a huge second half run to go up by 3 and it looked like UConn was dead in the water. Coach Calhoun was trying to get Kemba some shots in the huddle, and Kemba over-ruled him and said they needed to "run circle for Jeremy", which was a set that was meant to free Lamb up on the baseline. They ran it the next two possessions, Kemba hit Lamb in rhythm twice in a row, and the game changed (later Kemba made the winning points on a step-back over Derrick Williams). The season was on the line at that point, and he showed both the awareness of what play would be effective and the ability to orchestrate the play on the floor.

[nyhuskyfan]

As for the discussion of whether Kemba has "it", or if there's a such thing as "it" - there are no guarantees about how well things translate to the NBA, but I think there's a difference between what Kemba did this year and what past champions have done. Felton, Lawson, Cleaves, Okafor, Noah and others were part of great college teams. Kemba really willed this team to a title on his own (Lamb will be an NBA player, but averaged 9 ppg in a wildly inconsistent regular season as he battled confidence issues, the freshman wall, etc.). The scoring was obviously big, but he'd battle big men for rebounds, take the toughest defensive assignments in key moments, dive after the loose ball the team needed, be a decoy on a key possession, or whatever it took.

Kemba came to UConn with a reputation as a tremendous leader. His AAU team was 60-0, he was MVP of the FIBA U-19 Tournament in Argentina, etc. That impact at UConn didn't happen right away - he joined a veteran team and helped them to a Final Four coming off the bench, then suffered through a rough year as he deferred to three senior starters. This year, the leadership reins were all his, and the results speak for themselves. He'll have to grow into that role at the NBA level, and maybe he'll end up as a complementary piece to a better player (or players). But he can do that too - UConn doesn't make the Final Four his freshman year without his production off the bench.

[MPM]

I don't see this as DJ vs. Kemba at all, and to me the question of their respective roles isn't about next year, it's about how they fit after our team benefits from a couple more lottery picks and a FA or two. First, we can only guess what type of pro Kemba will be at this point. My hope is that he's fantastic and a year from now, he is starting next to a more logical starting 5 and DJ comes in as a super sub/6th man.

Next year will be a glorious disaster. Who cares how and when Kemba and DJ play? We will be a bad team and, yes, there will be undesirable player combinations on the court because we will have zero depth. I'm actually looking forward to seeing our patchwork lineups. Go DJ. Go Kemba.

[captaincrunk]

As for the discussion of whether Kemba has "it", or if there's a such thing as "it" - there are no guarantees about how well things translate to the NBA, but I think there's a difference between what Kemba did this year and what past champions have done. Felton, Lawson, Cleaves, Okafor, Noah and others were part of great college teams. Kemba really willed this team to a title on his own (Lamb will be an NBA player, but averaged 9 ppg in a wildly inconsistent regular season as he battled confidence issues, the freshman wall, etc.). The scoring was obviously big, but he'd battle big men for rebounds, take the toughest defensive assignments in key moments, dive after the loose ball the team needed, be a decoy on a key possession, or whatever it took.

Kemba came to UConn with a reputation as a tremendous leader. His AAU team was 60-0, he was MVP of the FIBA U-19 Tournament in Argentina, etc. That impact at UConn didn't happen right away - he joined a veteran team and helped them to a Final Four coming off the bench, then suffered through a rough year as he deferred to three senior starters. This year, the leadership reins were all his, and the results speak for themselves. He'll have to grow into that role at the NBA level, and maybe he'll end up as a complementary piece to a better player (or players). But he can do that too - UConn doesn't make the Final Four his freshman year without his production off the bench.

If you list the accolades of most NBA players you'll be impressed. That's how they got there. He was still a ninth pick.

[nyhuskyfan]

That is true - but there are some accolades that mean more than others. Not sure if anyone has ever had the postseason Kemba just did, if you factor in the 5 Big East wins. Players who willed their teams to deep titles/deep tourney runs without great supporting casts usually turn out to be good pros. Recent guys like Carmelo (title), Wade (Final Four) and Curry (Elite Eight) all carried teams and have been good pros despite some question marks people had.

Kemba went ninth (fairly) because there are questions about him (he might have gone 7th if Knight was off the board and the Cats knew they'd get Biyombo or Tristan Thompson, say, but that's neither here nor there). Don't know if he'll ever be a consistent three-point shooter at the NBA line and he plays at times like Derrick Rose but three inches shorter, which makes those slashing drives much tougher to finish. But some knocks are ridiculous. One NBA scout told Seth Davis in SI that Kemba reminded him of Ben Gordon. Kemba and Ben Gordon are absolutely nothing alike. Some dude is getting paid for that analysis. Boggles my mind.

[captaincrunk]

That is true - but there are some accolades that mean more than others. Not sure if anyone has ever had the postseason Kemba just did, if you factor in the 5 Big East wins. Players who willed their teams to deep titles/deep tourney runs without great supporting casts usually turn out to be good pros. Recent guys like Carmelo (title), Wade (Final Four) and Curry (Elite Eight) all carried teams and have been good pros despite some question marks people had.

Kemba went ninth (fairly) because there are questions about him (he might have gone 7th if Knight was off the board and the Cats knew they'd get Biyombo or Tristan Thompson, say, but that's neither here nor there). Don't know if he'll ever be a consistent three-point shooter at the NBA line and he plays at times like Derrick Rose but three inches shorter, which makes those slashing drives much tougher to finish. But some knocks are ridiculous. One NBA scout told Seth Davis in SI that Kemba reminded him of Ben Gordon. Kemba and Ben Gordon are absolutely nothing alike. Some dude is getting paid for that analysis. Boggles my mind.

It's possible that the man mentioned in the bolded section wanted people to think Kemba was a lesser player than he is.

Another guy who has a good collegiate run: MJ. His career was alright. I do respect that he got these accolades. But let's not forget that Augustin also has won the Bob Cousy award.

[TheKingofSting]

Bobcats coach Paul Silas said of rookie Kemba Walker and current starting PG

D.J. Augustin, "Now we have to find a way to play them both together."
"In practice they're going to be going at each other," Silas said. We're projecting D.J. Augustin as the starter, but as beat writer Rick Bonnell noted, competition for minutes has undermined Augustin's confidence in the past.

Source: AP

[ohara]

Kemba will not be ready to start on Day 1. I have little doubt he will eventually take the starting PG job from DJ, but it will take some time. Dont throw a ton of pressure on Kemba right away. If DJ is having a good year and Kemba is also showing signs he is ready, then the ealiest you trade DJ is the Trading Deadline. If someone is in strong contention for a Playoff spot and need a PG who can score, they will pay a very handsome proce - like a 1st rounder in the 2012 Draft. If you trade him away early, they will low ball us.

Have to rethink this a bit. With DJ's history of not coping well with competition, be it from Ray or even Flip, the strong competition he will be getting from Kemba may just cause him to regress in a very public way. If we are able to move him quickly for a decent player and a 2012 1st, it might be best to move quickly rather than waiting. If he withers under the pressure of Kemba and loses his starting role, and starts playing like crap and sulking, his value only plummets. Gotta think the FO may not say anything on it publicly, but they may very well entertain trading DJ before the season even starts. I really like DJ, but I dont see him surviving the assault of swag and performance I think will come from Kemba. That kid is on a mission.

[TheKingofSting]

From Yardbarker.com

Last night (two nights ago now) the Charlotte Bobcats selected UConn star point guard Kemba Walker with the #9 pick.

After his name was announced Walker embraced everyone at his table and also performed some type of gang-style handshake.

Is this something the Bobcats need to worry about, or is it a harmless handshake among friends?

These questions need to be raised when a team is going to invest millions into a young man coming out of college.

What is your opinion on this little video?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsMrWEE9hbw&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

[Kembastockton]

Why did it have to be a gang style handshake? How do we know it wasn't a fraternity thing? And even if it was many professionals in different areas have gang related pasts. I'm told that Kemba graduated Uconn in three years that is good enough for me.

[vorbis]

"for some" where "some" = ignorant people

[Jaruff]

Kemba will not be ready to start on Day 1. I have little doubt he will eventually take the starting PG job from DJ, but it will take some time. Dont throw a ton of pressure on Kemba right away. If DJ is having a good year and Kemba is also showing signs he is ready, then the ealiest you trade DJ is the Trading Deadline. If someone is in strong contention for a Playoff spot and need a PG who can score, they will pay a very handsome proce - like a 1st rounder in the 2012 Draft. If you trade him away early, they will low ball us.

Have to rethink this a bit. With DJ's history of not coping well with competition, be it from Ray or even Flip, the strong competition he will be getting from Kemba may just cause him to regress in a very public way. If we are able to move him quickly for a decent player and a 2012 1st, it might be best to move quickly rather than waiting. If he withers under the pressure of Kemba and loses his starting role, and starts playing like crap and sulking, his value only plummets. Gotta think the FO may not say anything on it publicly, but they may very well entertain trading DJ before the season even starts. I really like DJ, but I dont see him surviving the assault of swag and performance I think will come from Kemba. That kid is on a mission.

We wouldn't get that much for him. If you look at what the Rockets paid for Flynn, we can expect a little more than that.

[captaincrunk]

Why did it have to be a gang style handshake? How do we know it wasn't a fraternity thing? And even if it was many professionals in different areas have gang related pasts. I'm told that Kemba graduated Uconn in three years that is good enough for me.

Brilliant point. He's a college man, it makes sense. What we have to ask is, whose have did he shake, and what ties them together? Maybe he was involved in crime with this young man during their youth, maybe he was his study partner at UCONN, we just don't know.