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Boston Celtics: 3 serious reasons team can win 2019-20 NBA title

By Randy Marquis

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 19: Jayson Tatum #0 and Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics celebrate after the 104-96 win against the Indiana Pacers in game three of the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 19, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 19: Jayson Tatum #0 and Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics celebrate after the 104-96 win against the Indiana Pacers in game three of the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 19, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics
Kemba Walker (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Kemba Surpasses Kyrie

Let’s get this out of the way right now: no, Kemba Walker is not a better player than Kyrie Irving.

By any statistical measure, Irving was the superior producer last season, besting Walker in every category other than points per game (PPG). Both players entered the NBA during the 2011-12 season and Irving’s career numbers surpass Walker’s across the board.

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That said, Irving also had the good fortune of spending his career playing alongside the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Love and Al Horford. Walker’s best teammates, on the other hand? Al Jefferson, Gerald Henderson and Nic Batum. Nothing against those guys, but let’s concede the Hall of Fame probably isn’t busy preparing busts for their enshrinement.

That’s not to suggest Irving’s talent or production is diminished in any way by the company he’s kept. He’s one the NBA’s best point guards, full stop. But context matters, and it’s reasonable to suggest that Walker was surrounded by a significantly inferior supporting cast. Joining Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart in Boston is a serious sidekick upgrade, and Walker’s numbers this season should reflect that.

Of course, basketball isn’t played by numbers. It’s played by living, breathing human beings full of thoughts and emotions. Studies show that happy people are more productive. And if one word were used to describe the 2018-19 Boston Celtics, “happy” would be at the bottom of the list. Irving may not have been the sole reason for the discord, but it’s fair to say his, um, unique leadership style, played a significant role in the team’s dysfunction.

Walker, on the other hand, has been praised for his leadership since his days in Storrs leading the UConn Huskies to the Division I title in 2011. Of his leadership style, his former coach Jim Calhoun remarked:

"“He brings special things to his teammates,” Calhoun said. “Trust me, I was always amazed how much his teammates loved him and followed him.”"

Similar praise followed Walker to the NBA and to Charlotte, where former teammate Jeremy Lin once said “Kemba taught me really what it means to be the leader of a team.” Walker is also already receiving high marks for his leadership of a very young Team USA.

In short, Walker may not individually be at Irving’s level, but with his leadership the whole may be greater than the sum of the parts.

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