Boston Celtics: Kemba Walker the perfect mix of Kyrie and Isaiah
If Kemba Walker signs with the Boston Celtics, he would be a nice mixture of Isaiah Thomas and Kyrie Irving.
Unless the Los Angeles Lakers swoop in and steal Kemba Walker with a more lucrative offer, the Boston Celtics pursuit of the All-Star guard is rumored to be a done deal by various sources.
While the team can’t officially make a free-agent offer to Walker until NBA free agency starts Sunday at 6 p.m., ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan is calling it a deal that should make Celtics fans smile once the dominoes begin to fall.
Appearing on the Hoop Collective podcast with Brian Windhorst, the NBA Insider with Celtics connections, made her projection about a possible marriage that came pretty much out of nowhere.
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"“I think it will get done,” MacMullan said, as transcribed by MassLive. “I think, wink wink, it’s sort of already done unless, because we always have to couch these things, unless Michael Jordan changes his mind at the 11th hour and decides to throw a lot of money Kemba’s way. But I don’t know, maybe the damage has already been done, not sure. I do expect Kemba to be here.”"
While a change of heart from Jordon seems unlikely from a business perspective, Celtics fans should be prepared to expect anything come Sunday. But, if Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge does pull this off and land the 29-year-old Kemba Walker, he would be bringing in a player who is a nice mixture of the last two All-star point guards to lead the Celtics.
Those two players of course are Isaiah Thomas and Kyrie Irving.
In Walker, they are getting a local product who would win fans over with his fiery nature and scoring like Thomas. He is also a player who can take over a game like Irving. Not quite as small as Isaiah, Walker wouldn’t be as much as a liability defensively. And while he is not as dynamic as Irving, he should be a better leader on and off the court.
A consolation prize?
Perhaps that is exactly what Kemba Walker is with Kyrie Irving speeding his way out of town. But in a way, like with Isaiah Thomas, the Boston Celtics may be better off as a team.
Sure, Walker will get his points. But, his ability as a pure shooter should open more opportunities for Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward. Quite simply, he wouldn’t try to dazzle and take over games with isolation ball.
Related Story. Making the case for D’Angelo Russell over Kemba Walker. light
But more than what he does off the court, character is the biggest reason the addition of Walker should make the Celtics a better and more likable team. He ties to UConn set aside, Walker is a player thirsty to win and shows up in the big moments.
That has always been highlighted on Kyrie Irving’s resume, however, his disappearance in the Milwaukee Bucks series will be the last thing Boston Celtics fans remember. And what we remember about Isaiah Thomas is that he never checked out. He played with a chip on his shoulder, he inspired his teammates. Kemba Walker has those same qualities.
Will it all pay off?
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We shall see. But it can’t get any worse for the C’s than how things went south during the 2018-19 season. It’s time to get back to what Boston Celtics basketball is all about under Brad Stevens. Give us the heart and soul of Isaiah Thomas mixed with some of the clutch scoring of Kyrie Irving without the media disgruntlement.
Give us Kemba Walker.