Boston Celtics starting point guard Kemba Walker isn’t happy about having to take things slow with his often-irritated knee, but he also seems a lot less worried about it than you would think if it were the issue some can’t help but fret over.
And if “fret” sounds like a strong word, keep in mind the Celtics are in a better position to win it all than at any time in the last decade — but also that Walker’s services will be absolutely crucial to any postseason run Boston makes.
Speaking at the post-practice media availability session held at the Disney NBA campus Thursday evening, the former University of Connecticut standout opened up about the joint that has seen so much ink spilled in recent days.
Kemba Walker: “I’m not really concerned much, honestly, because I’m trending upwards. … I’m fine. I’ll be back better than ever."
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) July 17, 2020
“I’m feeling good,” Walker offered.
“It’s great just taking one day at a time right now. Just being smart, being cautious for the most part, but I mean I’m feeling really good, so we’re just taking it slowly … The plan is just to take things pretty slow. That’s really it … I don’t want to have any setbacks, or anything like that so [I’m] just taking it slow.”
When asked to describe the pain he was having in terms of location and intensity, the Bronx native had a hard time articulating exactly what the problem was, instead spending at least as much time noting how much it pains him to miss games.
Kemba says there was definitely a pain at first on the side of his knee.
"Throughout my career I haven't missed many games and I've been able to play through a lot. It was bothering me, so it was the best choice for me to make to sit out. This is not normal for me, being out."
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) July 17, 2020
Which he rarely has throughout his career.
“I can’t really explain it but it was a pain on the side of my knee that was bothering me. I don’t know what much else I can say, but during my career, I haven’t missed many games and I’ve been able to play through a lot. It was bothering me, so … the best choice for me to make was sit out.”
More than anything, the possibility of not being available when his teammates needed him seemed to bother him the most.
“This is not normal for me — being like this — but the smart way to go about things,” Walker added, “because I want to do my best for my teammates in this organization when the regular season comes around and most definitely in the playoffs.”
The team is absolutely doing the right thing by playing it safe with the New Yorker’s knee given the stakes at hand regarding a comparatively wide championship window.
Celtics' Kemba Walker shares how 'bubble' is like a major AAU event https://t.co/tZxP6to8WE
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) July 16, 2020
And with a bit of luck, what he has been bothered by could very well simply be a by-product of ramping up the use of his long-rested bones after a four-month hiatus.
With an abundance of caution, the team will give Walker (and his knee) the best possible chance for the veteran guard and the team more generally to make a deep postseason run with an NBA-record 18th banner seeming more real than ever.
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