As with his NBA career, Kemba Walker He leaves with the feeling that the brilliant point guard who became a legend in the Charlotte Hornets could have done something more in the Euroleague. The American announced yesterday his retirement to the 34 years After playing a season in Monaco, where Walker will not be particularly remembered for the mark he left unlike his compatriot Mike James.
In an example of how sometimes NBA stars do not adapt to the Euroleague in the same way that Euroleague stars do to the American league, the number 9 of the draft 2011. The point guard, who played as a bench player, averaged just 4.4 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1 assist in 11 minutes with 42.5% field goal shooting and 36% three-point shooting.
But, it must be said, Kemba Walker, a prolific scorer and prodigious assistant in his prime, had not been the same for some time, the point guard tortured by the injuries, especially in his left knee. Thus, the player who began to gain a reputation in UConn He has ended his career somewhat prematurely, at only 34 years old when many extend their career into their late 30s or even early 40s.
“I want to start off by thanking God for everything he has given me,” Walker said in his statement. “Basketball has done more for me than I could have ever imagined and I am super thankful for the incredible journey I have had,” the point guard also said.
Walker was the playmaker the Boston Celtics turned to after a prank by a Kyrie Irving who did not keep his word to renew in 2019, transferred by the Hornets to the Massachusetts team that summer after eight seasons with the South Carolina team.
Walker achieved legendary status in the franchise Michael Jordan as their all-time leading scorer, but one of Charlotte’s few draft picks could barely get anything done in the playoffs. In fact, the balance is bleak: only two playoff appearances in those eight seasons (2014 and 2016), with both first-round exits.
The point guard’s first year in Boston was remarkable, averaging 20 points and 5 assists in his starting role, also important in the playoffs for the Celtics to reach Conference Finals in the Orlando bubble in 2020, being eliminated by the Heat. However, the fall of the four-time All-Star would begin in the 20-21 season, only playing 43 games due to problems in the left knee that he had undergone surgery years ago.
Walker had a good first year with Boston
AP
Walker was never the same again, playing just 37 games the following season in the Knicks and cut by the Mavericks a month after signing him at the beginning of the 22-23 season, with Dallas looking for a backup point guard for Luka Doncic.
The determined point guard ventured to try the European adventure last summer. He barely showed any signs of being a player who surely left wanting more. At least he left with a title under his belt with the French league and seeing his former team win the Larry O’Brien trophy. In some way, and as he said Joe Mazzulla Remembering all those who participated before, a piece of the ring is also Kemba Walker.
Read also
2024-07-03 05:12:00
#Kemba #Walker #retires #tough #Euroleague #experience
