Leap Year - The Kemba Walker Thread III

[SWedd523]

Some of it has to do with talent leaving, but Kemba has quickly (and quietly) become a Top 5ish player in the East.

And when he's in the zone he's one of the most unstoppable guys in the league

[Snidely FC]

Zach Lowe, still one of the only national media writers who pays attention to CHA, on the Wizardry of Kemba:

2. The wizardry of Kemba Walker

Walker rarely gets the #LeaguePassAlert treatment. He doesn't have the size and sheer ferocity of John Wall and Westbrook; Walker hasn't attempted a dunk since 2013.

But Walker is the most underrated must-watch showman in the NBA -- a magician who ascends into rapturous frenzies of ball-handling wizardry that can last entire quarters. Some of what he does is so mean, so manipulative, it should illegal. This is just filthy:

http://media.video-cdn.espn.com/gifs/mp4/nba_orl_cha_kemba_insane_2gif.mp4

Walker turns his detriment -- his height -- into a weapon. When he needs to squeeze through a tight space, he hunches so low, no one can reach the ball.

He has every move -- crossovers, step-backs, and maybe the cruelest in-and-out dribble in the league. (Mike Conley and Wall might argue.)

Every piece of flair has a purpose. As Walker approaches a pick from Dwight Howard or Cody Zeller, he'll unleash some fake -- maybe just a shoulder-shimmy -- designed to conceal his plans. He'll lean one way, nudge his defender there, and then zip the other direction with a head start. Walker makes sure his defenders are flat-footed before ramming them into a pick.

The Hornets have scored 1.26 points per possession on any trip featuring a Walker-Howard pick-and-roll, per data from Second Spectrum. That figure would have ranked them among the half-dozen best high-volume duos last season. Charlotte has reinvigorated Howard.

Walker makes picks hurt.

http://media.video-cdn.espn.com/gifs/mp4/nba_cha_orl_kemba_lefty_2gif.mp4

That lefty finish over Bismack Biyombo is insane -- and a recent addition to Walker's repertoire. Remember: Walker couldn't finish anything at the rim when he entered the league. The NBA was too big for him. He struggled from deep, too; defenders ducked picks, inviting him to shoot.

And now? He's sniffing 50-40-90 territory, and shattering his career high in free throws. The Hornets, lacking a true backup point guard and over-reliant on the brash Malik Monk, would be dead without him.

Some guys improve their shooting from one area of the floor over several years. Walker has improved on every kind of shot. He has reinvented himself.

[Braggins]

When is Kemba getting his own Jordan brand shoe?

[catch20two]

How Kemba Walker survived the Bobcats, changed his pace and grew into a true star

"Everybody knows where Kemba's chair is," Williams said. When the Hornets settle in for a film session, there is always a front-row seat for the franchise player. "No one sits in his chair. He sits dead in front of the TV every single day."

This is not an accident, nor is it an indication that Walker has poor eyesight.

"The leader has to be in front," Walker said. "I just want to show everybody that I'm locked in. If I'm locked in, they have no choice but to be locked in as well."

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/how-kemba-walker-survived-the-bobcats-changed-his-pace-and-grew-into-a-true-star/

Good read. Especially for us that been here since the Bobcats days when Hendo was the go-to player.

[yosemiteben]

Kemba's transformation has been remarkable. He's a legit star.

[KembaWalker]

we should trade Kemba

he deserves better

if we suck this bad with Kemba making 12 million dollars what are we going to do when we have to pay him what he's worth

[Robot Rock]

Kemba saved our asses against the Clippers on Saturday. He took over with a few mins left, went into "Can't-Miss-From-Anywhere" Mode and got us a win.

[catch20two]

Kemba saved our asses against the Clippers on Saturday. He took over with a few mins left, went into "Can't-Miss-From-Anywhere" Mode and got us a win.

With a injured wrist that had him questionable to play beforehand.

[Joest2003]

Kemba's transformation has been remarkable. He's a legit star.

Good thing management didn't listen to all you mods and trade him like you all wanted as recent as 15-16 season..

[catch20two]

Kemba's transformation has been remarkable. He's a legit star.

Good thing management didn't listen to all you mods and trade him like you all wanted as recent as 15-16 season..

I kinda miss arguing on Kemba’s behalf. It was like pulling teeth trying to convince at least half of the board that he’s the main player that’s actually earning his keep. I came onto this board as a MKG fan that liked Kemba from his UConn title run but he quickly won me over as my favorite player in no time.

Nowadays I’m fighting for Lamb’s rights. Everyone seem surprised by his play but he’s almost always shown this production as long as he got the minutes.

[yosemiteben]

Kemba's transformation has been remarkable. He's a legit star.

Good thing management didn't listen to all you mods and trade him like you all wanted as recent as 15-16 season..

I would encourage you to try to find a single post where I supported that idea.

[catch20two]

I wouldn’t be mad at Kemba if he asked for a trade to a contender. We’re really ruining his prime years. Poor little guy is really carrying this team and Clifford’s poor coaching always find a way to get in the way.

I look at all of the advanced stats among the elite and most respected PGs in the league and Kemba is at a unfair disadvantage in comparison to them. He really should get more clout and deserves to be in the playoffs every year.

[James Gatz]

I wouldn’t be mad at Kemba if he asked for a trade to a contender. We’re really ruining his prime years. Poor little guy is really carrying this team and Clifford’s poor coaching always find a way to get in the way.

I look at all of the advanced stats among the elite and most respected PGs in the league and Kemba is at a unfair disadvantage in comparison to them. He really should get more clout and deserves to be in the playoffs every year.

I've been thinking the same thing but looking through rosters I couldn't come up with any team that could use him that has anything to trade back to us.

[fatlever]

would be fun to see Kemba on Spurs, but yeah, not much they could send back. Mills, Murray and a 1st.
Kemba to knicks for Frank jr filler and a 1st.

[mrknowitall215]

How do you guys feel about Markelle Fultz, Jahlil Okafor, and a future 1st rounder for Kemba?

[yosemiteben]

What exactly is the logic in trading Kemba, other than liking Kemba more than the team?

[catch20two]

What exactly is the logic in trading Kemba, other than liking Kemba more than the team?

S-Y-M-P-A-T-H-Y, Sympathy.

[HornetJail]

thanks for reminding me why I stay away from this sub when we struggle

yall are tripping

[Braggins]

I would love to see Kemba in San Antonio or Philly, but id still rather things work out here if possible. Those are my first two choices if they dont and he goes elsewhere.

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

How do you guys feel about Markelle Fultz, Jahlil Okafor, and a future 1st rounder for Kemba?

I really don't feel Fultz. At all. I wouldn't want any part of a trade where he was the centerpiece.