Charlotte Hornets: Should Kemba Walker Win East Player of the Month?
Charlotte Hornets’ point guard, Kemba Walker, has had a great month of February but is it enough for him to win Eastern Conference Player of the Month?
The Charlotte Hornets have had a strong month of February this season and it is in large part thanks to star point guard, Kemba Walker, who has been leading the team. But has Kemba done enough to secure the Eastern Conference Player of the Month Award for the month of February?
Walker is having one of his best months of the season in a year that has seen him set career highs in almost every statistical category. But he is up against some stiff competition with the likes of LeBron James, Paul George, and Kyle Lowry who have all had great months of February as well.
Paul George and Kyle Lowry have already each won one player of the month award previously this season. George was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for November and Lowry won it in January when he tied with teammate, DeMar Derozan, for the award.
It is a bit surprising that four time MVP, LeBron James, has not won a player of the month yet this season. He has won the honor 11 times over the past five season, including this year. He is overdue for one and this may be his month.
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Kemba Walker is likely the odd name of the bunch as many causal NBA fans wouldn’t recognize the huge year and month that he is having. The Charlotte Hornets fans and franchise know just how valuable Kemba has been and exactly what he means to this team.
Individual performance is a large factor for players of the month but team success is also a component that is rewarded. Luckily for Walker, the Charlotte Hornets are having one of their best months this season and are winning game on the road against tough opponents.
Kemba is averaging 22.4 points per game, 5.6 assists per game, 4.8 rebounds per game, and 1.6 steals per game in the month of February. He is also shooting 43.5% from the field, 37.7% from the three-point line, and 55.7% True Shooting while playing 38 minutes per game. His team has gone 6-3 in the month.
LeBron James is averaging 24.0 PPG, 7.6 APG, 7.6 RPG, and 1.6 SPG this month. He is shooting 48.1% FG, 26.7% 3P, and 54.1% TS in 36.9 MPG. The Cleveland Cavaliers have a record of 7-4 during February.
Kyle Lowry is averaging 23.6 PPG, 6.9 APG, 4.4 RPG, and 1.7 SPG. He is shooting a staggering 50.3% from the field, 39.7% from three, and 64% True Shooting in 38.4 MPG. The Toronto Raptors have gone 7-3 during the month.
Paul George is averaging 22.9 PPG, 5.3 APG, 6.7 RPG, and 1.6 SPG in February. He is shooting only 41.1% from the field, 32.9% from the three-point line, and 53.6% True Shooting in 35.2 minutes per game. The Indiana Pacers have a 6-6 record this month.
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(George and LeBron still have one game left in February)
It will be a tough race between these four players who are all viable candidates for Eastern Conference Player of the Month. George will likely be the first player off of the list as his team hasn’t had the success of the others on the list.
While Charlotte Hornets’ point guard, Kemba Walker, has had a great month and is leading his team to a possible playoff spot, it isn’t likely that he will win the February Player of the Month award over LeBron or Lowry this month. The honor will likely be decided between James and Lowry for this month but Kemba is making name for himself this season with his constant play for the Charlotte Hornets.
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It will be interesting to see how it turns out and who ends up with the honor of Eastern Conference Player of the Month for February when all is said and done. Kemba does have a shot and winning and it would be great if he was recognized by the NBA for Player of the Month for his play and leadership on the Charlotte Hornets.