3 conclusions drawn from the Boston Celtics triumph over the Lakers
Kemba Walker is king for a day
Coming into this game, a wild stat was featured prominently across several different news outlets: never once in his nine-year career has Kemba Walker ever defeated LeBron James. Obviously with basketball being a team sport, the real fact was that the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets had never beaten the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers or Lakers when the latter three teams were the employer of the “king”.
After going 0-28 (including a four game playoff sweep in 2014) against James, the stage was set for a Boston Celtics win against their historical rival with Walker leading the way. With 20 points, seven assists and four rebounds, Walker’s performance did help elevate the C’s.
However, the most notable element of the victory was that despite his impressive counting stats, Walker didn’t need to be the best player on the floor. Tatum’s 27 points (and momentum-building buckets) were the main catalyst of what turned out to be a blowout win.
To Walker, he wasn’t going to let the moment of finally conquering the “king” overtake him:
"“It’s only one. … 1-28,” Walker told reporters. “I’m 1-0 with a new team.”"
Remaining humble even after victory, Walker now gets to avoid being in arbitrary, narrative-fitting ESPN graphics like this one:
LeBron James is 28-0 in his career against Kemba Walker (including playoffs).
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 21, 2020
But today, Kemba and the Celtics have handed the Lakers their largest deficit of the season (27) and are 15 minutes away from breaking that drought. pic.twitter.com/dPsP0t9S6W
That may be the greatest victory of all for Walker.