For Kemba Walker, All-Star accolades an honor, but playoffs the focus

Boston Celtics All-Star starter Kemba Walker may appreciate the individual accolades of his fans and peers, but it’s the postseason the UConn product has his eyes on.

Boston Celtics All-Star starting point guard Kemba Walker is happy for the respect his fans and peers have granted him with his second starting opportunity in the 2020 NBA All-Star game, but it’s the postseason on his mind.

Individual honors have never really been the UConn product’s bag, preferring to see just how far into his team’s postseason he can help shoulder the load instead.

One has to look no further than the epic postseason run that put his name on the map nationally, carrying his Huskies to an NCAA championship immediately after the improbable win in UConn’s conference tourney that was needed just to get a ticket to the big dance in the first place.

So it should come as no surprise the former Hornet values postseason excellence so highly — especially after being denied it so long in his tenure in Charlotte.

“I think I’ve definitely earned respect from my peers and people around the league,” noted he Bronx native, courtesy of The Athletic’s Jared Weiss.

“But for me personally, I just really haven’t — I’ve only been to the playoffs two times in eight years. I played well in the playoffs, but I never got out the first round. So I haven’t really done much, you know? Definitely still have some ways to go.”

And it’s not that Walker doesn’t care about the respect shown him with his selection as an All-Star starter; it’s just that in even this honor, he can’t help but tie it to what his team has been doing to support him.

“Obviously, last year was my first [All-Star] start,” said the All-NBA floor general of his previous nod as a starter.

“I mean, the game was in Charlotte. I think that’s probably why I really got the start. I was averaging about 26 and a half [points per game] at the time. This year, like 21, something like that or whatever. But now I’m more so being recognized for being on a winning team, not more so recognized for my stats, you know?”

Walker downplays the importance of the individual honor, prefering to maintain focus on his true and usual goal — making as deep a dive into the postseason with his team as is possible.

“I don’t need recognition. I could care less,” noted the four-time All-Star.

“It’s more about, myself, just doing something I’ve never done in this league. Get to the playoffs. Just really, really get there and have a chance.”

With budding superstar Jayson Tatum emerging to shoulder the load Walker always had to in the past, shooting guard Jaylen Brown becoming a force of nature in his own right, and veterans Gordon Hayward and Marcus Smart playing some of the best basketball of their career, one thing is certain.

The Boston Celtics have more than a chance.

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