Stevens: Kemba may not be ready at start of the season due to knee issue

[hpantazo]

https://www.clnsmedia.com/kemba-walkers-status-uncertain-for-celtics-opening-night/


Some excerpts:

"Kemba Walker may not be available for the Celtics on opening night when the season begins roughly a month from now, due to a lingering knee issue."


"Walker is developing arthritis in his left knee following three surgeries and various career steroidal injections. Walker received an injection to address cartilage loss in February. She expected Walker to continue to manage his knee for the rest of his career. Listening to Stevens talk it certainly sounds like the knee is an issue that is going to require maintenance."

[hpantazo]

Good thing we got Teague and Pritchard.

[johnnygreen]

When Danny signed Jeff Teague, I was thinking it was to help manage Kemba's minutes and to even allow Kemba to take games off (i.e. no back-to-backs or even taking one game off every two weeks or so). I know he doesn't get the credit he deserves, but Marcus is a very good PG too. Also, I know we shouldn't expect much, but Payton Pritchard is a 22 year old 4 year starter. He is a seasoned college player, who shouldn't need much time to transition to the NBA. It's not like he is coming off a freshman year and only 19 years old. In other words, if there's one position I feel the Celtics have quality depth, it's at PG.

[Tr1boy]

We will need a lot from Smart, Teague and Pritchard

I think they will do a good job

[footey]

This is very concerning. Max contract for 3 more years on a guy who clearly won't be 100%, probably for duration. 

Hayward contract was never the problem. It was Kemba's. 

And Jeff Teague is not the answer to this. 

[knuckleballer]

Don’t rush him. Limit his minutes.  Give him games off.  We need him for the playoffs.

[Tr1boy]

This is very concerning. Max contract for 3 more years on a guy who clearly won't be 100%, probably for duration. 

Hayward contract was never the problem. It was Kemba's. 

And Jeff Teague is not the answer to this.

Thats ok. We have Tatum who has improved leaps and bound as a facilitator

Smart, Pritchard and Teague are good passers

[Roy H.]

SMH.  Why didn’t he get surgery?

[Birdman]

SMH.  Why didn’t he get surgery?

Thats what I was thinking also..unless nothing dr can do if it’s arthritis

[td450]

SMH.  Why didn’t he get surgery?

Its not a tear. Its arthritis

[Birdman]

Don’t rush him. Limit his minutes.  Give him games off.  We need him for the playoffs.

Exactly!!! Load management like Kawhi

[Birdman]

Wonder how he pass the psychical

[Tr1boy]

SMH.  Why didn’t he get surgery?

Walker is developing arthritis in his left knee following three surgeries

[Evantime34]

This isn't great, but it is absolutely more important for Kemba to healthy to end the season than to start it.

If Kemba misses the season, I wonder if they would slot Teague into the starting lineup or just have Marcus play the point and start two bigs.

[Neurotic Guy]

This isn't great, but it is absolutely more important for Kemba to healthy to end the season than to start it.

If Kemba misses the season, I wonder if they would slot Teague into the starting lineup or just have Marcus play the point and start two bigs.

I get that the knee will be a management issue for the remainder of his career.  Hopefully they can mitigate further deterioration and manage the pain well enough for him to be able to contribute at a high level.

I'm interested in knowing what exactly the doctors are waiting for that will indicate Kemba's readiness to play.