New York Knicks: Full Player Stats Projections For 2021-22

New York Knicks: Kemba Walker Stats Projection 2021-22

• 50 Games Played
• 27.9 Minutes Per Game
• 16.7 Points Per Game
• 4.0 Assists Per Game
• 2.9 Rebounds Per Game
• 1.0 Steals Per Game
• .1 Blocks Per Game
• 42.9% FG %
• 37.2% 3pFG %
• 87.8% FT%

I hate projecting injuries but if I’m going to take an educated guess using recent injury history and the wear and tear of a full season, I’d presume that Kemba Walker will play in a little over 50% of the games this season.

Even at Kemba Walker’s introductory press conference with the Knicks, he was asked about his knee and his expectations. When asked if he was playing in the 2nd game of back-to-backs this season, Walker passed the question over to coach Thibodeau, who responded with a blunt “he’s playing” that got everyone in the room to laugh.

There are going to be some Kemba Walker 30 minutes, 25 point games. There are also going to be some 18 minutes, 10 point games.

All of these expectations of playing an important, yet limited role were baked into Kemba’s discounted contract price of 8 million per year.

We’re going to see Walker take Elfrid Payton’s role from last season and take it to a new level. There’s an essence, a star quality, a je ne sais quoi to Kemba Walker starting at point guard for the New York Knicks.

Walker put up productive numbers when he played for the Celtics last season but he was also expected to help propel them into contention to win the Eastern Conference. At least, that was the expectation when he first got there.

With the Knicks, they will rely on him to be one of the aforementioned “secondary scorers” surrounding Julius Randle.

Walker has the experience and ball-handling chops where more often than not we could see him initiating the offense. Health is everything and taking care of his body so that the Knicks get the best possible version of Kemba Walker every time he steps on the court.