Taj Gibson still sees in him a “ superstar “. The Hornets veteran isn't talking about LaMelo Ball, but the man responsible for ensuring the play of the point guard and his younger teammates improves: Kemba Walker. He joined Charles Lee's staff this summer.
If his recruitment has, for the moment, had no effect on the collective dynamic of these sad Hornets, penultimate in the East with only 7 victories in 34 outings, his presence is a real plus internally. Along with him is the former player who earned three of his four All-Star selections in Charlotte. But there is also man.
“ He is truly a superstar with a lot of humility. You think his game is great and he's an amazing player, but his personality off the field, like no other? That's thirty times that. Having him in the locker room every day, around us, is incredible. I tell you, he's a first class citizen “, ignites Taj Gibson who would be ready… to take “ a bullet for him “.
The personality of the two-time Sportsmanship Award winner was a motivating factor for Charles Lee. While talking with other NBA players, he heard “ laudatory words about his person (Walkers)her work ethic and what she stands for. That's what he brings to this organization, and that's what I wanted. […] He knows what it means to play in Charlotte, the importance of not being the biggest on the field but having a competitive heart, mind and drive. »
A big brother for gamers
Enough to make the 9th choice of the 2011 Draft a perfect relay between the former first assistant of Joe Mazzulla at the Celtics, also recruited in the offseason, and the players.
“ It makes you want to come in and work more, knowing he's on your side. And seeing him become a coach is a little crazy, because he takes everything seriously. He is professional in everything he does. […] You have no choice but to listen to Kemba », Books Miles Bridges, who evolved with him during his rookie year.
Aged 34, Kemba Walker is trying to be “ like a big brother to gamers ”, to show them “ the tricks of the trade » which led him to reach the heights on an individual level. And to reach, on the collective side, a conference final in 2020, with the Celtics.
“ We've never won anything, we've never made it past the first round and we're not always in the playoffs. We're trying to change the culture a little. That's why I want to come back, to help change this in some way », justifies Kemba Walker who did not hesitate for long before the opportunity to return to a city of Charlotte that he never completely left.
After Charlotte, he had opened a second streak in his career by going to Boston, when his knees started to creak. Less memorable experiences followed with the Knicks, the Mavs and finally in Monaco. Until the announcement of this premature retirement in relation to his age.
He didn't know what to expect
“ I imagined myself playing forever, especially since I never got injured. I'm a competitor, I'm a guy who's always played. It's the only injury I've had in my life. It's difficult », describes the young retiree who believes, without regret, to have tried all possible treatments to get back on his feet.
The transition between the end of his playing life and the start of his coaching life was lightning: the announcement of his recruitment was made the next day. And the person concerned did not really know what this reconversion would involve.
“ I thought I would be a little unhappy, to be honest. But all of this has brought me joy, because I no longer have to worry about missing or hitting my shots. This used to stress me out. It's a good feeling to not have to rely on that stuff anymore. Because I know when I was playing, it was so hard to balance all those things. That's why I'm here. I can relate to all these guys », he finishes.
| Kemba Walker | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2011-12 | CHA | 66 | 27 | 36.6 | 30.5 | 78.9 | 0.5 | 3.1 | 3.6 | 4.4 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 12.1 |
| 2012-13 | CHA | 82 | 35 | 42.3 | 32.2 | 79.8 | 0.7 | 2.7 | 3.5 | 5.7 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 17.7 |
| 2013-14 | CHA | 73 | 36 | 39.3 | 33.3 | 83.7 | 0.5 | 3.7 | 4.2 | 6.1 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 2.3 | 0.4 | 17.7 |
| 2014-15 | CHA | 62 | 34 | 38.5 | 30.4 | 82.7 | 0.6 | 3.0 | 3.6 | 5.1 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 17.3 |
| 2015-16 | CHA | 81 | 36 | 42.7 | 37.1 | 84.7 | 0.7 | 3.7 | 4.4 | 5.2 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 20.9 |
| 2016-17 | CHA | 79 | 35 | 44.3 | 39.9 | 84.7 | 0.6 | 3.3 | 3.9 | 5.5 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 0.3 | 23.2 |
| 2017-18 | CHA | 80 | 34 | 43.1 | 38.4 | 86.4 | 0.4 | 2.7 | 3.1 | 5.6 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 22.1 |
| 2018-19 | CHA | 82 | 35 | 43.4 | 35.6 | 84.4 | 0.6 | 3.8 | 4.4 | 5.9 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 25.6 |
| 2019-20 | BOS | 56 | 31 | 42.5 | 38.1 | 86.4 | 0.6 | 3.2 | 3.9 | 4.8 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 20.5 |
| 2020-21 | BOS | 43 | 32 | 42.0 | 36.0 | 89.9 | 0.4 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 4.9 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 0.3 | 19.3 |
| 2021-22 | NYK | 37 | 26 | 40.3 | 36.7 | 84.5 | 0.4 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 11.7 |
| Total | 741 | 33 | 41.8 | 36.0 | 84.0 | 0.6 | 3.2 | 3.8 | 5.3 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 19.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
