NBA: Celtics Hint That Kemba Walker Is Better Than Kyrie Irving, Isaiah Thomas

Boston Celtics appeared to be convinced that their newest superstar Kemba Walker is better than Kyrie Irving, Isaiah Thomas and other former C’s point guards in the past.

Walker’s move to Boston was one of the most notable free agency moves this offseason. And even though the 2019-20 NBA season has barely started yet, some in Celtics already suggest that Walker is a better player than some of the star players who have worn the green and white jersey.

In a recent interview with Boston Herald, former Celtics center Al Horford expressed a bit of regret about deciding to leave Boston now that Walker is on the team.

Based on Horford’s comment, it seemed like he would have stayed with the C’s if he had just learned that Walker will replace Irving a bit earlier.

“I don’t want to get caught up in the past,” he said when asked if he would have considered staying if he knew Walker was coming.

“But, yeah, that would have been totally different,” Horford admitted.

Last month, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens also suggested that the former Charlotte Hornets star could be the key for the team’s redemption for what Irving, Thomas and Rondo weren’t able to accomplish, Sports Illustrated reported

“The way I feel about Kemba, even through his UConn days, is that he plays with a smile. There is a contagiousness to him that will be fun. There is a lot on his plate, and we’ve had really good point guards—[Rajon] Rondo, Isaiah [Thomas], who was incredible and had that year in 2016-17 that was ridiculous, and Kyrie was second team All-NBA this year and would’ve been All-NBA last year if he hadn’t got hurt at the end. Our point guards are asked to do a lot, but we’re awfully glad Kemba is here,” Stevens said.

Meanwhile, Walker once again addressed his departure from Hornets and stated that there’s “no hard feelings” between him and his former team as he enters his first season with the Celtics.

“They offered, but it just wasn’t an offer I could accept. I guess that’s the (most) money that they had. It’s a business at the end of the day, and I respect the decision that they made. No hard feelings at all. I still love that organization and everything around it,” Walker explained.

“It was tough for me (to leave), and I know it was tough for them; for MJ (owner Michael Jordan) and Mitch to let me go. But at the end of the day you have to do tough things in life. It just happens,” Walker added.