Kemba Walker Taking His Talents To AS Monaco Of The EuroLeague Is Further Proof That Life In The NBA Comes At You Fast

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It seems like just yesterday Kemba Walker was the starting point guard for a team in the ECF. Then you realize that was actually in September 2020 and we're currently in July 2023 which is weird in its own right. The more I think about it, the pandemic really fucked up how my brain interprets time. 2020 feels like it just happened and yet since that moment, there have already been three additional NBA seasons.

If you think things in normal life move fast, that's even more true when it comes to the NBA. Shit changes in an instant. After playing at least 79 games every season from 2015-16 through his last year in CHA in 2018-19, Kemba never played more than 56 games again. His first year in Boston? 56. Year 2? 43. Brad Stevens then traded him to OKC who cut him, and he signed with his hometown Knicks only to play 37 games before being benched. Last year, he played 9 for the Mavs.

It was pretty cruel how a guy who never really had injury concerns in his career basically had his career ended early due to his knees simply turning to dust. Nick Nurse will forever pray for his crimes for what he did in that All Star game, but looking back I wonder if Kemba would admit he probably shouldn't have played. Because as we know, with smaller offensive minded guards, once you lose your quickness it's a wrap for you. 

This guy, was gone in a blink of an eye

I'll say this about Kemba, he sure was electric as hell. Impossible to not root for him given how he played and his overall personality/who he is as a person. 

Like another small offensive Celtics point guard before him, Kemba did his best to get back into the NBA fold after injuries and a physical decline started to creep up. It never really worked out. The lack of quickness impacted how often and effectively he could get to the rim, and his size made him a defensive target. As the league gets bigger and bigger, it's a cold world out there for undersized aging guards. 

But unlike Isaiah, Kemba has decided to do what many before him have done. He's cashing that overseas check 

Maybe this is because I am rapidly turning into an old, but this was so weird for me to see. Not just because Kemba used to be a Celtic, but because he's someone I've watched since his UConn days. I've basically watched every dribble of his career, so it feels a little crazy that this is where we are right now. That 2020 ECF doesn't feel that long ago. At the same time, I can't really blame Kemba. I'm sure he's getting a shit ton of money for this move, and there are no taxes in Monaco. If you've never seen what it looks like, it seems like a pretty awesome place

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For a guy that made over $160M in basketball contract money alone, this feels like a pretty sweet place to ride out your basketball career as you enter your mid 30s. While he may not be quick enough for the NBA, my guess is if Kemba is healthy he's going to dominate the EuroLeague. 

At least that's my hope. I'll forever root for Kemba no matter where he plays, and who knows maybe this gets him back in the NBA door. If not, whatever. Kemba had one hell of a career, he's arguably the greatest Hornet of all time, he made a fuck ton of money and now he gets to get another bag to chill in the south of France.

Not a bad gig if you can get it.