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Boston Celtics: Kemba Walker ready to take C’s to the next level

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 28: Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics dribbles with the ball against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena on January 28, 2020 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 28: Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics dribbles with the ball against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena on January 28, 2020 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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The Boston Celtics are thriving towards a deep postseason run and Kemba Walker is the fuel needed to rev up their playoff engine.

Over the last couple weeks, the Boston Celtics proved they are deep enough to win without Kemba Walker, but it took Jayson Tatum playing out of this world.

Still, the Celtics have proven over and over again that they have enough scoring to get past most teams in the NBA.  Behind Tatum’s rise towards superstardom, they have even proven that they can go toe-to-toe with teams led by Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James and James Harden.

But that doesn’t mean an All-Star caliber player like Kemba Walker isn’t needed.

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While sitting out nursing a knee injury, Walker has been able to see the young core led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown get even better, but they still need his veteran leadership and ability to take over a game to get further than the team was able to get with Kyrie Irving actually playing on the court.

In signing with the Boston Celtics over the summer, the driving factor was to play for a playoff contending team surrounded by other players capable of taking charge at key moments.  That is certainly the case with the Celtics.  Now that he is on the brink of returning, the key is getting better as a player and as a team.

To compete and get past the Toronto Raptors and to ultimately have a chance against that juggernaut in Milwaukee led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, playing hard as a team and feeding off one another is what Walker noted as the driving force towards the ultimate goal.

"“We work hard, and we want it.  We want to win.  We want to get better.  We want to play well on a nightly basis, and I think we’re going to continue to do that,” Walker said, as transcribed by NESN.  “The main thing is just to continue to get better, continue to just play basketball to win, play together, which we’ve been doing.  Just really take our team game to a new level.”"

Kemba Walker returning for the stretch run of the season does a couple of things.  It takes pressure off Jayson Tatum as far as the scoring load goes and it trickles down to improving a bench that has become the concern for the team.

With Kemba back, Marcus Smart provides more scoring off the bench which should improve the second unit.

Next. NBA Power Rankings, Week 20: Boston Celtics still top 5 and ascending. dark

In all, getting that 21.8 points per game back in the lineup and on the court makes the Boston Celtics and even more dangerous team, especially with both Tatum and Jaylen Brown taking the step many felt was necessary to make the Celtics a contender right now.

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