Slam: Kemba Walker is a Building Block

[lildwarf]

Kemba Walker’s inner-city flair and heart of a champion should take the Bobcats and Under Armour to new heights.


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Originally published in KICKS 14 (http://www.slamonline.com/online/kicks/2011/08/slam-presents-kemba-walker-kicks-14-on-sale-now/)
words Ben Osborne / portraits Atiba Jefferson
“Quien es? Quien es?”


Standing on the platform of the 161 Street-Yankee Stadium stop, a 60ish Latin woman wants to know who the young man posing for pictures is. “Kemba Walker,” I reply. “Estrella del baloncesto,” I force out in halting Spanish. “De Bronx.” A basketball star. From the Bronx.


Trust this, though: Over the course of a scorching-hot July day spent traversing Bronx and Harlem—areas the 21-year-old Walker knows well—it becomes clear that to most New Yorkers, Kemba needs no introduction.


Blessed with a quick smile and approachable manner he honed during his three-year career at UConn, playing for arguably the nation’s most rabid fan base, Walker possesses a winning personality that has businesses investing heavily in him and hoping for a big pay off.


Basketball-wise, King Kemba is now the property of the Charlotte Bobcats, famously owned by Michael Jordan and in desperate need of a spark that can generate both excitement and wins in a city that hasn’t shown much interest in its team lately. Off the court, and more germane to our day, Under Armour has signed Walker to a multi-year endorsement deal, hoping his skills and persona can further build up the brand’s growing reputation in basketball.


http://www.slamonline.com/online/kicks/2011/10/kemba-walker-building-block/

[spectre]

First off, thanks lildwarf for all the new threads. I know it's not easy...esp. with the spectre of a lost season upon us.

I'm about as high on Kemba as I have been on any player ever to (potentially) wear a Bobcats' uniform. He seems the type to be able to at least start building a foundation around...maybe even a future 2nd option on a contender possibly.

Really pissed that we're having to wait to see him on the court.

[May4prez]

I never really heard, why did he go with UA over Team Jordan?

[SWedd523]

I still can't tell if this lildwarf is a spammer or not.

They probably offered more money... Jordan is pretty heavily involved in CP3, Wade, and Melo (among others) at the moment.

[Keetch]

I'm really excited about Kemba too.

Biyombo as well. I'm hoping this past draft resets a lot of futility and restores some excitement to the team. It was SO bad last year; unwatchable. Jeez last winter was awful!

[Toocool]

esp. with the spectre of a lost season upon us.


I see what you did there

[Dcarnys]

Alot of good memories at that location Kemba's standing at. I seriously can't wait to see him on the court.

[spectre]

I'm really excited about Kemba too.

Biyombo as well. I'm hoping this past draft resets a lot of futility and restores some excitement to the team. It was SO bad last year; unwatchable. Jeez last winter was awful!

I'm gonna bump a Smack thread with some info I saw on RoF.

Agreed though. I never thought I'd be so despondent over a team...and it just kept getting worse. The hiring of Cho and then our moves pre-draft (AFTER the Crash trade...I'm still butthurt about that) have given me great hope for a "re-set", something I had no faith with in regards to the previous group.


I see what you did there

Heh, it's like when someone just throws you that fat pitch right down the middle...you just have to knock the hell out of it!

Just think how much fun I could have with that in a political forum!

[spectre]

I still can't tell if this lildwarf is a spammer or not.

Think maybe Ziggy went "mad scientist" on us and has invented a program that will only spam Bobcats' news?

If so I like it a lot.

[Zoolander]

Haven't heard a lot about the Cats after the draft this year. Thank God for Bobcatsplanet!! Without U guys I don't know where I'd get any info. I'm looking forward to when we eventually start playing again and get Kemba and Bismack on the court. For some reason I feel more optimistic with our future now, then at anytime during our history previously. Thanks Guys keep the info coming. I might not post often, but I'm watching you.....:hypo:

[spectre]

Charlotte Bobcats: Predicting Kemba Walker and Bismack Biyombo's Rookie Years (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/912293-charlotte-bobcats-predicting-kemba-walker-and-bismack-biyombos-rookie-years)


First off, when and if the NBA (http://bleacherreport.com/nba) season begins, Bismack Biyombo swears he'll be in training camp (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=bismack%20biyombo&source=web&cd=6&sqi=2&ved=0CE0QFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fprobasketballtalk.nbcsports.com%2 F2011%2F09%2F22%2Fbismack-biyombo-swears-he-will-be-at-bobcats-camp%2F&ei=qVyoTvbqL8rfsQKO1fnPDw&usg=AFQjCNGr8GRV0Yau-oiZtaKeE5d4X2GqHQ). Biyombo still has buyout issues with his current club, but says it won't impede him.

Kemba Walker (http://bleacherreport.com/kemba-walker) has no such issues, and he is ready to become the first true star for the Bobcats (http://bleacherreport.com/charlotte-bobcats) franchise. He has slightly underdeveloped point guard skills and is undersized to play the shooting guard position. All that doesn't matter—Kemba is a baller.

Kemba seems to be taking the lockout in stride, if his tweets (http://twitter.com/#%21/KembaWalker) are any indication. One interesting tweet had him acknowledging and correcting an unruly Jimmer Fredette fan, but asking him not to use the "N Word."

Walker is no stranger to criticism, doubters and ignorance. He proved the naysayers wrong last year during UConn's championship run. Walker is the rare player that can't be limited to his physical measurements.

He gets it done and if he doesn't get hurt, he'll go down as Michael Jordan's lone great draft pick.

The Bobcats will become Kemba's squad from the first time he takes the court. He will always be a scoring point guard, but he will surprise many with his ability to set up teammates.

Most importantly for the Bobcats franchise, Walker has the game and personality to put a few extra butts in seats as well.

Expect some high turnover nights, which is common for any rookie point guard. It will especially be the case in this abbreviated season the NBA seems to be facing. If the entire season is lost, which also seems to be a possibility, things could change. Walker, like most players, will need to find basketball competition elsewhere to keep his edge.

Kemba Walker's rookie year will render statistics that look something like this: 15 points per game, six assists, one and a half steals and three turnovers per game.

Oh, and he will battle Derrick Williams right down to the wire for the Rookie of the Year.

That is, of course, unless there is no 2011-12 season. Then he will have to share his rookie season with Andre Drummond, Harrison Barnes and company.

In which case, all bets are off.

Biyombo is much more of a mystery. There isn't a ton of film on him. His strength and athleticism is apparent, as is his huge wing span.

From the video I've watched of him, one name comes to mind when thinking of his ceiling: Ben Wallace. Now, notice I said ceiling—he may never reach that level, but physically and presence wise, he is similar.

Also, remember it took Wallace a while before he turned into the perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate he ultimately became.

Wallace was in the league four years before he averaged double figure rebounds and over two blocks per game for the first time.

Fans will have to be at least that patient with Biyombo. Biyombo's rookie year will look something like this: two points per game, 0.7 blocks per game and a boat load of fouls.

All in all, the Bobcats had a good draft. They could have endured criticism for not drafting a better known prospect with the seventh overall selection, but Biyombo was a good risk in a poor draft.
Love his enthusiasm for Kemba and I'd be more than content with his projected stats.

Think he might be selling Smack a little short tho.

[SWedd523]

Dude sounds like a HUGE Kemba fan

[spectre]

If we give Kemba the keys early on I see it being very possible. It'd make sense to do it too as we sorely need a big personality to take on the "face" duties.

...and no, I didn't write that!

[SWedd523]

I don't see 15 and 6 being out of the realm of possibility. I just don't think we'll move DJ quick enough to give Kemba the keys to the car. If DJ does go, I really don't see it until we get close to the trade deadline so we can give Kemba enough time to assimilate.

[spectre]

I don't see 15 and 6 being out of the realm of possibility. I just don't think we'll move DJ quick enough to give Kemba the keys to the car. If DJ does go, I really don't see it until we get close to the trade deadline so we can give Kemba enough time to assimilate.

Very possible. There just isn't a lot out of need out there for young PGs as there's been a slew coming in the last couple years. I don't want to just give him away, but I'm also concerned with DJ's confidence issues. I don't want him to lose what little value he does have either.

We are supposed to suck this season. Moving DJ and bringing in a broken down vet PG at the minimum as a backup should help that (unless of course Kemba really blows up first thing...which I don't think will be the case). It'd also help Kemba along; I'm thinking Kemba is one of those guys who'll float when chucked into the water. His personality just seems too big for it to be otherwise.

[SWedd523]

I think just about any pick up til about 20 is good value for DJ. I REALLY want to get another mid to high pick this draft.

[Toocool]

15/6 would be sick.
Any production at all from BB is a plus for me :biggrin:

[Plowright]

If we can get DJ for a mid first round pick i would take it. This draft is going to be stacked. A mid rounder in 2012 would have been top 10 in last years draft easy

[spectre]

Even tho it's a little out of range I still like the ATL trade idea as having Hinrich would be an asset as well. It'd also eat up some cap if we have to reach a minimum like Dav is saying in the other thread.

[spectre]

http://vimeo.com/31242026

Mostly about college, but he is asked what Bobcats' fans can expect from the upcoming season.

Kemba's answer: "Growth".

[Toocool]

If we can get DJ for a mid first round pick i would take it. This draft is going to be stacked. A mid rounder in 2012 would have been top 10 in last years draft easy

Correct me if I'm wrong Plow, but Captain Kirk is called Captain Kirk for a reason, a good leader. Am I correct in this educated guess? (assumption pretty much)

[SWedd523]

Two inches would be fantastic. I can really get behind him if he's 6'3 ;)