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Boston Celtics: 3 Takeaways from Cs loss to the Pelicans

By Dallas Malloy

Feb 12, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) on the court in the last seconds of play against the Detroit Pistons in the forth quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) on the court in the last seconds of play against the Detroit Pistons in the forth quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Celtics Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Celtics Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports /

Boston Celtics takeaway #2: Kemba Walker couldn’t hit the ocean from a boat

Kemba Walker, to put it lightly, is not the same player as he was just a year ago. This is by far the worst season Kemba Walker has ever played in his career.

He is posting a career-low assists rate, field goal percentage, 2 point percentage, and the 2nd lowest points per game of his career. He has been awful, to say the least, being an unequivocal negative when he is on the court. He has a -5.0 on-off rating, meaning Boston is outscored by their opponents by an average of 5 points per 100 possessions when he’s on the court.

After a horrific 5-21 performance against the Pelicans, including just 1-12 from beyond the arc, his season averages show the production of one of the worst starting point guards in the league. Averaging just 17 points per game on 37% from the field, and 34% from downtown.

All season long, and especially after this afternoon’s game, fans are figuring out a way to get him traded. Multiple different scenarios have been presented, but Walker’s trade value is rapidly plummeting, it may be hard to find a suitor.

During the offseason, it was rumored Celtics general manager Danny Ainge was offering Walker to teams for a high lottery pick. However per usual, no trade was found, and since then I am not sure what the Cs could get in return for the former All-NBA guard.

This is a very hard situation for the Celtics, they need the 4x All-star to produce at a high level to be competitive, and his play deserves a large portion of the blame for the Cs .500 start. To look on the bright side, Walker has had some good, even great games this season. Not so coincidentally, his best games have come after sitting the second night of a back-to-back.

On the second night of back-to-backs, the Cs guard averages 23 points per game, on 50% from the field, and 51% from the arc. As a Celtics fan, these are very encouraging numbers, maybe if the Cs medical staff can slowly work Walker back to the lineup, he can be great again.

But, on the flip side of that point, if he can only perform with 2-3 days of rest, how valuable to the team is he truly? After being last year’s All-Star-starting point guard, things have truly taken a turn for the worst. For his sake, and the sake of the Celtics, hopefully, he turns it around ASAP.

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