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Boston Celtics: 1 quality Kemba Walker brings to the championship table

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 16: Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics participates in warmups prior to a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on January 16, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 16: Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics participates in warmups prior to a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on January 16, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics All-Star guard Kemba Walker brings this one key ingredient to the championship table as long as he is healthy.

If you are a Boston Celtics fan, you know just how lethal Kemba Walker can be down the stretch of any game when his shot is falling, and his confidence is soaring high.

As an opposing player and during his brief time with the Celtics, the 30-year-old All-Star has displayed what makes him so special as a competitor and a leader.  Both qualities played a part in why the team went after him in free agency to replace the void left by Kyrie Irving.

While those are both keys to leading any contending team, the main ingredient a healthy Kemba Walker brings to the table is his clutch factor, which goes all the way back to his days at the University of Connecticut.

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Now, one may say Irving also had that clutch factor, but Walker is a different kind of player.  As he has showcased in his first season with the Boston Celtics, he is a leader who has no problem sharing the spotlight with his teammates.  That leadership and championship quality attitude has led to the growth of both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

With playoff experience missing from his NBA resume, Kemba Walker does have some pressure to perform on the big stage.  The rise of Tatum takes away that pressure a little bit but labeled as the team’s biggest question ahead of the restart of the season, Walker’s health is the main concern.

As a lingering knee injury has sidelined him prior to the NBA going on hiatus and has now resulted in him being on a minutes restriction, the All-Star guard is remaining positive going forward in hopes of being as strong as possible once the playoffs start.

"“It’s definitely pretty frustrating, just because I’m not a guy who misses many games, especially throughout the course of my career,” Walker said after practice on Thursday, via ESPN.  “I’m not really concerned much, honestly, because I’m trending upwards and I’m getting closer to a return.“So, yeah, I’m find.  And I’ll be back better than ever, I think.”"

Encouraging news, but Boston Celtics fans won’t breathe easy until they see the Kemba they have grown to love draining shot after shot out there on the court in live NBA action.

What a healthy Kemba Walker could do for the Boston Celtics

Kemba Walker is a scorer.

In averaging 21.2 points per game in his first season with the Boston Celtics, the tough point guard has put the team on his shoulders down the stretch of games just like he did at UConn and with his time with the Charlotte Hornets.

That clutch factor I mentioned above is what makes the Celtics a very dangerous team in the Disney NBA bubble. Because he has more talent around him than he ever did at Charlotte, Kemba Walker doesn’t have to be the man.

Because the team has Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward, who are all worthy of carrying the team offensively, Kemba Walker can pick his spots and take over during stretches of the game.

Boston Celtics: 1 quality Jaylen Brown brings to the championship table. dark. Next

That, in my opinion and observation, makes the 30-year-old point guard even more lethal.  With that finisher mentality, a healthy Kemba Walker could take the Boston Celtics a long way through his toughness and hot shooting, which compliments the upward rise of Tatum and Brown.

In summary, Kemba Walker brings to the table that clutch ingredient that is an appetizing factor for a championship run.

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