8. Kemba Walker
In the NBA, a player’s talents are often evaluated through their contributions, execution, and rise to stardom during their career. One player who certainly performed as an out-of-this-world player during college, but never maintained the same stardom in the NBA, is Kemba Walker. He, too, has long been overlooked, but it’s now time to discuss his legitimacy as an NBA point guard.
Last season, Walker played like one of the best point guards in the league due to essential development to his game. One of the ongoing constants for the Charlotte Hornets was that they was plagued by the injury bug. As a result, Walker was called on to perform and he discovered new ways to execute from range, while still performing in a respectable and efficient manner.
In the 2016-17 season, Walker had the most efficient year of his career. His field goal (42.7), three-point (37.1), and free throw (84.7) percentages were all career highs for him in a year when his team needed him most. It seems simple to say that a player had a better shot selection, but this embodies the type of player that Walker had become.
His assists per game (5.2) declined this past season (6.1 in 2013-14) and this isn’t ideal for a point guard. Nevertheless, his ability to adapt and evolve in these circumstances is what places him higher than others on the list.
The Hornets were able to be successful last season, because Walker’s improved efficiency, shot creation, and facilitation skills opened the gateway for other players to perform at a high level, also.
Walker and company will look to have another effective season with the big losses of Al Jefferson and Courtney Lee. This provides even more opportunity for Walker to continue establishing himself as one of the best scoring point guards in the league.