Inside the Mecca: Kemba Walker ’s Homecoming Downfall, and the Knicks’ Perpetual Point Guard Problem
Column - December 2, 2021
And for the first six games of the 2021 season, there was reason to believe it did.
Behind Walker and the revitalized offense, with Thibodeau in his second season as head coach, the Knicks started off as one of the hottest teams in the NBA, going 5-1 in that stint. After struggling from the three-point line last season, the Knicks were suddenly one of the best shooting teams in several three-point categories, including attempts, shots made, and three-point shooting percentage. Part of that came from Walker’s prowess at knocking down the deep ball which he has done at 41.3% rate this season, a career-best.
Throughout the month of October, Walker averaged 15 points on 50% shooting from the field and 57.9% from the arc to go along with 3 rebounds and assists a piece. That efficiency inspired the rest of the Knicks point guard base-RJ Barrett, Derrick Rose, Alec Burks and Immanuel Quickley—to up their scoring production as well, accounting for an average of 60 points of offensive production per game.
Living out his childhood dream, Walker and the Knicks looked poised for another run at a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference. That was until recently, when inconsistency and a major weakness of Walker’s—defense—struck down on both parties’ plans, ultimately spoiling the point guard’s homecoming, leading to his benching, and creating concerns over his future in orange and blue.
New York Knicks' point guard Kemba Walker had 20 games in the homecoming spotlight before head coach Tom Thibodeau removed him from the rotation for his falling offense and defensive deficiencies, creating questions about the native's future with the team. Plus, his reassignment continues the trend of circulating point guards that the Knicks have been stuck in for the decade-plus. Who might be next on their list if Walker doesn't come back to the rotation?
The second column of my Talking Points Sports' special on the state of everything in the New York Knicks, Inside the Mecca.