Boston Celtics Head Coach Defends Kemba Walker After Nightmarish Performance Against LA Lakers

The Boston Celtics are one of the best young teams in the NBA. Their ascending star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown is bound to carry this team to many more years of success.

However, this team has often faltered during the big moments. We saw that against Miami in the 2020 Playoffs and we just saw it against the LA Lakers in the regular season.

Boston lost by one point after Kemba Walker missed a great look from the mid-range. It was Walker’s 11th missed shot of the game, as he ended the game with a 1-12 statline.

Walker was supposed to be the veteran point guard that helps Brown and Tatum flourish, not hold them back. But in this game, he did just that. However, coach Brad Stevens defended Kemba’s performance after the game.

Walker was an all-star starter just one season ago. He has had a horrible run of injuries here and there which has been plaguing him since last season.

However, if he cannot regain the form we saw two seasons ago in Charlotte or even up until February last year, Boston may have something to worry about.

Boston Celtics: Kemba Walker holding them back?

While nobody on the Celtics squad will throw Kemba under the bus, it is time he starts becoming more accountable. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum still combined for almost 60 points this game. That would be just under a third of all of Boston’s points.

Walker could have helped Boston win the game if he made even one more shot than the solitary shot he made all game.

Walker went from being one of the most underrated point guards in the league to one that may just be overrated. He has a massive contract in Boston and needs to start producing at that level. Otherwise, the championship window may shut on Boston.

Kemba is much older than Tatum and Brown, so Boston have flexible room to help bolster this team at Kemba’s expense. However, it would be a little premature to pull the plug on Kemba. They have what they have. It will be interesting to see how far they get with this team.