Grading the Charlotte Hornets’ Recent Draft Picks
By Adam Greer
2011 Rd. 1 Pick 9 Kemba Walker
I will admit it. I did not think that Kemba Walker would ever be the starting Point Guard on a competitive playoff team. Shows what I know. Before the 2011 draft I was wondering if the Bobcats were making the same mistake they made by drafting DJ Augustin to replace Raymond Felton, which was ignoring better prospects to draft an undersized point guard without star potential to replace another undersized point guard without star potential.
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There were also doubts if Kemba could run an NBA team as his assist to turnover ratio in college was never better than 2:1. Many thought Walker would become a volume scorer off of the bench or a starter on a lottery team, and these doubts about efficiency persisted until he effectively shut up critics this past season.
This past season, Kemba Walker proved himself to be the All-Star caliber player, capable three-point shooter, and above average defender no one thought he would be while also being one of the NBA’s most improved players.
The fearless point guard is the heart and soul of the Charlotte Hornets and his tenacity and clutch play have made him the best and most popular player in Charlotte. Looking back, Kemba was certainly deserving of the Bobcat’s 9th overall selection, and this earns him an A (he will get the plus when he is an All-Star in Charlotte next year).
Pick Grade: A
Next: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist