Kemba Walker recently sat down to talk with some fans. Here’s what he had to say!
Hey Kemba, I’m a big fan of you! Who do you think are the top five PGs in the league? Who is your best friend of the team? And how do you get along with Jeremy Lin?
Ah man, I’m gonna go with Steph. CP3, Russell Westbrook. John Wall. Kyrie. Besides myself of course…though I really wouldn’t put myself in there. I wouldn’t say I have a specific best friend, I get along with everybody. Jeremy he’s super-cool, I love having him on the team. He brings a positive energy to this team, and that’s something we really enjoy. His smile every day, his enthusiasm every day gets us over the top sometimes. It helps.
Mr. Walker, how do you think of Jeremy’s haircut. Do you think his haircut helped him a lot in the game?
Haha, which one?! He has so many different hairstyles. I tell him to keep the Mohawk. It’s different. I know he gets a lot of publicity about it. I think it’s funny, but it’s cool. It’s definitely not his haircut that’s helped him, though! I think it’s his hard work. Work ethic, not haircut.
What’s the secret to your crossover?
I think it’s just pretty natural. Guys like Tim Hardaway perfected it. And, just the guard I am, I have to be crafty & tricky with the ball to get the shot off. You’re watching guys and learning how to create space.
Do you think you can take part in the All-Star game this year？
I’m not sure actually. I think I’ve been playing well, but other guys have been playing well too. It’d definitely be cool, but right now I’m trying to focus on winning basketball games. The more we win I think that’ll help my chances, but my main focus is trying to win.
Can you and MKG bring Hornets to new heights?
Oh yeah. I think we have a really good team. Especially when guys get healthy. With MKG and Big Al, Nic’s missed a few games as well. When we get MKG and Al back to full strength we’ll be a real tough team to beat. Those guys have meant so much to the team.
Which area of your game do you want to improve the most?
Just being more consistent. I think I’m a better shooter at this point in my career. Just getting guys to the spot, being a better leader. I’m gonna go with my leadership.
What would making the All-star game mean to you?
It’ll mean a lot. Every basketball player has dreams about that growing up. It means you’re an elite player in this league, and that’ll be pretty special.
Do you think the Hornets can make the Eastern Conference playoffs this year?
Yeah I definitely think so. We have a chance. As far as we can go I’m not sure, but I think we can make a pretty big impact.
Parth asked, “How does it feel to have millions of people who know and love you as a player?”
Kemba: I don’t know! I didn’t know I had so many fans. It surprises me all the time. Especially when we went to China, I’ve seen all the Chinese fan screaming my name, acknowledging me. I had no idea so many people in China knew who I was, that was pretty cool.
What is it about you and Jeremy Lin that has allowed you guys to thrive together in the backcourt
Kemba: He just makes plays. He gets to the basket. His penetration is top-notch. He gets in the paint, he draws defenders, and he scores or finds the open man. He just takes the pressure off me, and Nic as well. He’s just a great player.
Hi Kemba Why do you use the number 15?
Kemba: I’ve had that for so long. Since junior high school! Honestly I’m a big Carmelo Anthony fan since Jr. High School. I’ve been wearing that since I was watching him at Syracuse.
What’s your favorite music to listen to before a game?
I have a pretty big playlist. A variety of songs. Definitely hip-hop, up-tempo songs to get my body moving and ready for basketball.
Is being a NBA player a dream or can anybody reach it with working hard?
You know what. I think anybody can accomplish anything if they work hard enough. I think for me, it’s something I dreamed of. I worked hard on it as well. Man, I feel very fortunate to make it up here and be ready to play in this league. I think it’s a little bit of both.
What is the travel life like of an NBA player?
It’s rough. It’s pretty rough. It’s something you have to adjust to, something you have to get used to. You have to learn how to manage time, take care of your body, drink a whole bunch of water. It’s tough getting into cities at 2 am and having to play the next day on a back to back. It’s all about time management and being mature with treating your body right.
You’ve been at your best against stellar competition. What is it about facing the top teams that causes you to perform at such high levels?
I just love playing against the best. You know, I feel like I’m not really known to be one of the best point guards in the league, but I want to let people know I can play with the best. I want to do whatever I can when I play those teams.
I’m French and want to know what you think about your new teammate “Batman” Nico Batum”
He’s great! I love playing with him. He makes my life so much easier. Not just my life, but everybody else’s. He’s cool to play with. He takes so much pressure off me. I don’t have to make all the plays. He makes a lot of the plays, with penetration, passing, finding guys. I don’t have to do everything, as far as playmaking, getting to the lane.
Who is your favorite legend in the NBA?
My favorite has been Tim Hardaway. I used to love watching him play with that killer crossover. He was unstoppable. He was a smaller guard, like me.
What are the toughest things you have to go through during the course of an NBA season?
Just staying healthy. That’s one of the toughest things that anybody has to go through. There are nagging injuries. There’s always something. You have to have that willpower to play through it. It’s something we all go through.
Hello! What is your hobby besides playing basketball?
Either shopping or playing video games. I’m big on NBA 2K
