Can Knicks’ Kemba Walker Live Up to the Stamp He Earned From Michael Jordan Back in 2019?

In an offseason move that many have dubbed the perfect match for both Walker and New York’s favorite basketball team, Kemba is a NY Knick! Following 2 injury-plagued seasons in Boston, GM Brad Stevens called time on Walker’s career at the Garden, orchestrating a trade to Oklahoma City.

A buyout and FA signing later, Walker will now don the Knickerbockers colors in 2021-22. And while everyone continues to doubt the all-star point guard, he has a staunch fan in Michael Jordan!

Famously renowned as the ‘Crossover Killer, the Step-back Master or the Praying Mantis’ Kemba has ridden through injury-marred seasons of late.

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While most experts have counted him out, ESPN legend Stephen A. Smith, also a diehard Knicks fan has shown him love based on a conversation he once had with his Airness himself.

Michael Jordan shows Kemba Walker the love

On Wednesday’s debate on First Take on ESPN, analyst Stephen A. Smith recalled a conversation with MJ from 2019. Following Kemba’s departure to Boston, Smith commented on a phone call he got from Jordan himself.

Smith said – “When Kemba Walker departed from Charlotte in 2019, to go to Boston, I got a call on my phone. The call rang and it was Michael Jordan.”

He then narrated the conversation saying – “Michael Jordan called cuz he wanted to make sure that everybody in the basketball world knew that even though he was losing his best player, a guy that had went 4 consecutive seasons averaging better than 20 a game, a couple of seasons averaging 23.9 25.2 that kind of stuff.”

“MJ wanted everybody to know that even though the brother could play, it was nothing compared to the person Kemba Walker was and obviously is. He loves the kid.”

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A compliment like that from MJ paints a picture of what could have been if Walker managed to remain healthy for the entirety of an NBA season. But, as a person, as a teammate, defined by his work ethic, as to what even Tatum and Jaylen Brown will agree to, Walker is one of the most genuine players in the NBA.

Walker’s Legacy

How will Walker’s legacy go down? Expected to be the starting PG in New York, what can Walker add to Thibodeau’s offensive arsenal? While working in tandem with Derrick Rose and playing at Madison Square Garden has its own perks, Walker is growing restless in pining for a championship.

How far will the recent additions of Kemba Walker, Evan Fournier in combination with reigning MIP Julius Randle, and a defensive-minded coach in Tom Thibodeau take New York this season?

Amongst others, fans like Stephen A. and Spike Lee look insanely optimistic. But, in the NBA, one can never tell!

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