3 things the New York Knicks must do to get the best out of Kemba Walker in the 2021-22 NBA season

#2 Help Kemba Walker on defense

Kemba Walker on defense against Kyrie Irving

The Knicks were one of the best defenses in the league last year, holding teams to just 104.7 points per game, for the lowest in the NBA. Kemba Walker has never really been seen as a key defensive player, so the Knicks should not expect that. Walker’s job is not to improve the defense, so allow him to have most of his impact on offense.

This might mean that Walker should spend more time with Rose or Quickley as the guard alongside him rather than Fournier. Even though the offense might take a dip in production, it shouldn't be all that much. On the other hand, playing two weak defensive guards could be a gamble, and the defensive production could drop.

The only way to make a Walker and Fournier backcourt work is by playing them with either Mitchell Robinson or Nerlens Noel. Robinson and Noel are elite shot blockers, so if Walker cannot stay in front of someone on defense, he will still have a backup behind him. Furthermore, the offense could still be better than last year because of Walker’s ability to throw ally-oops to both Robinson and Noel.

#3 Don’t expect too much from Kemba Walker

Kemba Walker playing for the Celtics

The Knicks should not make the same mistake as the Celtics did. The Celtics wanted him to be the number two option on offense, and Walker did not live up to that. The Knicks should just look at Walker to help improve the offense and not set a goal to hit. Don’t use his previous statistics and think you will get out of him because he is not that player anymore.

Walker is on such a cheap deal, and he can still play way above what he will make. Last season, Walker’s 19.3 points would have been second on the Knicks, so it will be good if he gets anywhere close to that. The issue is that his efficiency had dropped since becoming an All-Star.

On top of that, this Knicks roster is ideally built to help him. The team is young and defensively sound. Randle, Barrett, and Fournier will all share the load of being the stars of the offense. The Knicks also have two good backup guards who can start if Walker sits out a night or doesn't play more than 30 minutes a game.

Walker played on a team that did not help him during the first eight years of his career. Night in and night out, he had to be the primary option. Then Walker went to a team that wanted him to have the same production as one of the best point guards in the league. Now that Walker is on a team with talent that fits around him, he should have less of a role and still be productive.

Recommended Video

Guess the Bulls players in this quiz and it's not going to be easy!