No Kemba Walker to start this 2020-21 season for the Celtics. The team said yesterday that the point guard had received a stem cell injection in his left knee – which has been bothering him for nearly a year – and he will be on a 12-week strengthening program to prepare for the season.
“I saw two doctors, the goal was to find out what would help me become the player that I am again. We decided together that this was the best solution, without rushing my return. I haven’t really had a break since signing here so I think it’s going to do me some good. »Kemba Walker
He should resume activities in the field in the coming days, but an update of his status will be made during the first week of January. At a press conference yesterday, Walker said the injection had already eased the pain, and of course he hopes it can continue to work in that direction.
“I just need to strengthen my knee. I needed this injection, I played so long without a break, and like I said for us this injection and resting was the best decision. If I don’t feel like I have felt for the past two months, it’s better! Because I wasn’t good to be honest, I wasn’t myself. The goal is to be 100% comfortable on the pitch when I make my moves, without thinking about the pain it will cause, etc. When it is no longer the case, I will feel good again.
[…] It sucks but I love basketball and I want to be able to play at the highest level, in front of the fans who come to see us play, I want to be at my best level, I was not there last summer during the playoffs and I don’t want to go through this anymore. “
The 30-year-old quadruple All-Star was also asked about the $ 120 million 4-year contract offered to his ex-teammate Gordon Hayward by the Charlotte Hornets. Hornets who hadn’t offered him the max (Michael Jordan could offer him a 5-year, $ 221 million contract but didn’t) in 2019 before he was signed in Boston for 4 years and $ 141 million. It was with a big smile (and a little slip of the tongue) that he replied:
“I don’t care, I’m where I need to be. I don’t control anything in all of this. And Gordon is my brother. I spoke to him while it was being done and I’m happy for him. The important thing is to be happy, I came to Boston because it was the choice that made me happy and G is happy too and I’m sure he will have a lot of fun in Charlotte. It’s a great city, with great fans, they’re going to love Gordon, he’s a great player. So yes I’m happy for Jordan, uh… Gordon! (to laugh). Jordan too! »Kemba Walker
Jordan would have offered him “less than 170 million dollars” over 5 years at the time.
In the playoffs (17 games) this season Walker (1.83 m) had turned 19.6 points (44.1%, 31% at 3-points), 4.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game in 36.9 minutes on average. It is rumored that during the offseason the Celtics tried to trade him.
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