Charlotte Hornets: What Should Be Expected From Kemba Walker?

The Charlotte Hornets are coming off of a much improved season last year, and the future has never looked brighter for their franchise. One of the main players from last year was point guard Kemba Walker, who is finally beginning to show the full potential that the Hornets saw in him when they drafted him with the ninth overall pick in 2011. There are high expectations for Walker heading into the upcoming 2014-15 season, especially with his new backcourt partner Lance Stephenson.

What should be expected from Walker as he heads into his fourth NBA season?

Quite simply, this coming season should be the biggest year that Walker has had so far. He is going to be able to do much more now that Stephenson is in town, and it will free him up on the offensive end especially. Walker has been improving each and every season since coming into the league, he’s taken on even more point guard duties over the past couple of years and he averaged a career high 6.1 assists per game last year.

Walker’s offensive talent will be on full display this season now that the Hornets have Stephenson’s playmaking ability on the court. He should be able to play off the ball more often this year, and that will allow him to use his quickness and slashing ability to get open. Not only has he grown as a midrange and inside scorer, he has also improved his three-point shooting ability to the point where defenders have to respect the perimeter shot.

There is some work that could be done on the defensive end of the court in order for Walker to reach his full potential. He has the quickness and athletic ability to become a very dangerous defensive presence, but has not reached that level just yet. If he has focused on that area of his game this offseason, he could be one of the better defensive point guards in the league, and would be able to wreak havoc for opposing guards.

Another area that could improve about Walker’s game is his shot selection. There were quite a few times last season, especially during the Hornets’ playoff series against the Miami Heat, that Walker would take ill-advised shots early in the shot clock. That will need to change this season in order for him to put up more consistent numbers and also allow the Hornets’ offense to play to their full capability.

It will be very interesting to see what improvements Walker has made to his game this season, but there is no doubt that he will be an improved player. He has always had a great work ethic dating back to his time at Connecticut, and that hasn’t changed now that he is a pro. The Hornets strongly believe that they will be contenders in the Eastern Conference, but they need to have their franchise point guard come through in a big way.

Needless to say, the Hornets believe that Walker has plenty of room to grow and a lot more potential left in the tank. He has shown flashes throughout his first few years in the league that he can be a star, but he still has quite a bit of work to do. Charlotte has been trying to put him in the best position to succeed, and this season will be the best chance that he has had to play his game.

Expect to see Walker put up bigger numbers all-around, and also to see his effectiveness increase with better shot selection and decision making. He’s still a young player, but he is entering into his fourth NBA season and has had quite a bit of experience. The Hornets are going to be a much improved team, and they are going to be led by a much improved point guard.

Fans in Charlotte should expect to see a much better version of Walker than they saw last year, and for him to take the next step in his career.