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Charlotte Hornets: Where Each Starter Can Improve

By Jerry Stephens

Dec 26, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford talks with guard Nicolas Batum (5) and guard Kemba Walker (15) during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Grizzlies 98-92. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford talks with guard Nicolas Batum (5) and guard Kemba Walker (15) during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Grizzlies 98-92. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 8, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) goes up for a shot against Brooklyn Nets forward Thomas Robinson (41) in the first half at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) goes up for a shot against Brooklyn Nets forward Thomas Robinson (41) in the first half at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

PG: Kemba Walker – Playmaking

Age: 26

2015-16 Averages: 20.9 PPG, 5.2 APG, 4.4 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 2.1 TOV, 35.6 MPG

2015-16 Shooting Stats: 42.7% FG, 37.1% 3FG, 84.7% FT

After a season where Kemba showed massive improvement and growth in all facets of his game, he will need to be even better this year. He can do so by becoming a better facilitator and play maker with the ball. He is one of the most dangerous scoring point guard in the league with his ability to attack the basket and now shoot the three but by becoming more dangerous with the pass, he could open the court up for everyone. He only had two games last season with 10 assists. That is not enough for starting point guard in this league.

Walker did a good job of creating for other this past season and also limited his turnovers for the amount of time that he had the ball in his hands each game but if he wants to take the next step and become an all-star in this league, he will need to get his assists numbers up. Kemba will have plenty of offensive firepower surrounding him this year and finding open teammates shouldn’t be a problem.

In the past, he was forced to be the sole creator for the Charlotte Hornets but now he can become more of a playmaker with his passing. Walker has the skills to be a top-10 guard in the NBA and with his ability to create opening through the defense, he could be looking at more than seven assists per game.

His career high in assists per game for a season was 6.1 back in the 2013-2014 season, there is no reason why Kemba shouldn’t average more than seven assists per game in Steve Clifford’s system with the amount of talent that is on the team. He has improved his outside shooting, shot selection, and defense, now he must focus on becoming a better playmaker for his teammates.

Next: Shooting Guard

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