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.


Previous1 of 14Next




Originally published in KICKS 14
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/kic...uilding-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.....