Slam: Kemba Walker is a Building Block

[spectre]

Charlotte Bobcats: Predicting Kemba Walker and Bismack Biyombo's Rookie Years

First off, when and if the NBA season begins, Bismack Biyombo swears he'll be in training camp. Biyombo still has buyout issues with his current club, but says it won't impede him.

Kemba Walker has no such issues, and he is ready to become the first true star for the 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 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

[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]

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

Kemba's answer: "Growth".