Few people thirst to compete at the highest levels as much as Boston Celtics All-Star point guard Kemba Walker does, so missing time to prepare his often-achy knee for a tough, condensed 2020-21 NBA season has been a challenge for the UConn product, both mentally and physically.
Bothering him going back to his days at Rice High in New York City, the knee became a problem for the Bronx native while he was still with the Huskies, eventually requiring surgery in 2015 during his time with the Charlotte Hornets. It required occasional rest and medical attention in subsequent years, most notably requiring an extended ramp-up ahead of the Disney restart.
Walker has no plans to push to get back on the court this go-round however, having learned he needs to take more care to get the level of production he needs out of that balky knee.
Speaking with team reporter Amanda Pflugrad in a recent interview, the former Connecticut standout explained the reasoning behind this season’s more gradual approach.
“If I was to come back soon, it would just be the same thing that happened in the bubble. I don’t want that again — I want to be healthy. I want to be at my best and I just want to be able to play basketball at a high level and have fun while doing it. That’s how I play basketball.”
“That went into the decision to take my time and not be rushed back,” he added.
Celtics get a ‘C+’ for their 2020-21 HoopsHype offseason report card https://t.co/CfxnBMrOJO
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 10, 2020
As a player whose game depends on rapid de- and re-acceleration, knee health is especially critical for the 6-foot guard to eat in a league full of trees — how will he know he’s ready this time?
“Just working — that’s really it,” Walker explained.
“Just put in the work to get stronger, get more comfortable, get my mental right as far as knowing that when I step on the court, I’m fine, and I don’t have to worry about anything, and I’m not thinking about anything. As far as the knee, whenever those things start to come in, no my instincts kick in and I’m able to go hard and the next day, my knee doesn’t flare up or anything like that, we’ll know.”
To that end, we may not see the New Yorker on the court for the Celtics until we are well into the month of January if he plans on resting it until he is completely confident it’s ready to go.
WATCH: Celtics stashed guard Yam Madar goes for 18 vs Maccabi Rishon https://t.co/Nh2VLKudcM
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 11, 2020
And with a shortened season packed with back-to-backs, Walker’s return may be a gradual one, with short-minute stints in the games he does play early on, and no back-to-backs in a schedule with one nearly every week.
But if the payoff is the All-Star point guard the Celtics will need to make a realistic run at the title this season, it will be more than worth the wait for all involved.
