Positional Power Rankings: 30 best point guards in the NBA

Mar 13, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; LA Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) pushes Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) away from LA Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Utah Jazz won the game 114-108. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Kemba Walker

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At just 6-foot-1 and 184 pounds, many were pessimistic about Kemba Walker’s NBA future after he carried UCONN to an NCAA title and was selected by Charlotte ninth overall. His first season was tough, as the Bobcats posted the worst winning percentage in league history and Walker struggled. But he has improved each year since, and this year has been no exception. Walker earned his first All-Star nod this season, an accolade that many thought he would never achieve.

The All-Star nod came on the strength of improved offensive play this season. Walker is currently averaging 22.7 points per game on career-high shooting splits of 44.4 percent from the field and 39.9 percent on 3-pointers. (The exact same average from deep as Stephen Curry.) He will never be good on defense at his size, but competes. Along with Nic Batum, he is asked to carry the load on offense for Charlotte, and Walker has continued to do well.

The Hornets have disappointed many this season, as they are currently 32-39 and firmly out of the playoff picture in the East. This is despite the best efforts of Walker, who has played all but one game for Charlotte and attempted to shoulder the offensive load each night. He isn’t a good enough franchise player to lift a team into the playoffs on his own merits, but few expected him to. The disappointing Hornets have largely been a result of a number of injuries, not Walker. He has battled through the season, and should be commended for earning his first All-Star nod.

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