Charlotte Hornets: Where does Kemba Walker rank among point guards?

With Kemba Walker’s continued improvements, it may be time to re-assess the best point guards in the game and where he fits among them.

After hovering around the 17-point plateau from years 2-4, it looked like Kemba Walker had reached his ceiling, but after continued work each summer, the two-time All-Star is now averaging a career-best 28.7 points per game.

Most of this statistical increase for Walker can be attributed to his improved outside shot. Currently at 37.7 percent, Kemba’s shot above 37 percent from 3-point land in each of the last three seasons. Only now, he’s maintained that efficiency with incredible volume, launching 10.3 3s a game.

On Saturday night, Walker had everything working for him, finishing the Charlotte Hornets‘ battle against the Philadelphia 76ers with a franchise- and personal-best 60 points on 21-of-34 shooting. It was an incredible shooting display from a guy who many didn’t believe could reach this level early on in his career, when he was just an inefficient gunner on a losing team.

For quite some time now, the point guard position in the NBA has been probably the deepest of the five. Nearly every team has an above-average floor general on their squad, making the competition for the best of the best that much stiffer.

Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook and Kyrie Irving are almost universally recognized atop the hierarchy in one order or another, but rounding out the top five gets a little tricky after that, especially if you don’t agree with this trio of All-Stars.

Despite his advancing age, Chris Paul‘s track record keeps him in the conversation. Damian Lillard made the All-NBA First Team last season. Kyle Lowry is currently leading the league in assists. The top five at this position is really a matter of preference, but it seems like no matter what, a deserving candidate is going to get left off.

Due to the lack of national media attention and playoff appearances the Hornets have accumulated over the years, Walker doesn’t get nearly as much recognition as some of his other contemporaries. But numbers never lie, and Kemba’s compare favorably to some of the best in the business.

Take Damian Lillard for example. The Portland Trail Blazers‘ guard is currently averaging 26.6 points, 6.1 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game on a line of .441/.350/.924. Walker is at 28.7 points, 6.1 assists and 4.5 rebounds a night, shooting .458/.377/.857. This isn’t to start an argument about who’s better. Rather, this comparison should shed some light as to just how good Kemba Walker is.

So, exactly how far has the Hornets point guard climbed up the ladder at his position? As mentioned before, it’s really a subjective take that factors in so many different variables. It wouldn’t hurt Walker to win a few more games and maybe sneak into the playoffs. His supporting cast might hold him back from doing so, but at the same time if you’re that great, wins must come regardless of help.

Through no real fault of his own, Kemba Walker still probably ranks just outside the top five due to a lack of team success, even for Charlotte’s low expectations. However, he’s slowly left many of his peers in the dust with his continued improvement. If he keeps this level of play up, we may not have any other choice but to give someone else the boot.