Kemba Walker is a New York guy — born in the Bronx and attended Rice High School in Harlem.
Now Walker admits he seriously considered going home during his 2019 free agency and playing for the Knicks, but their inability to land another star ultimately led him to look elsewhere. Walker went on The Ringer’s R2C2 podcast with Ryan Ruocco and CC Sabathia and was asked whether he considered coming home.
Was there ever a chance @KembaWalker would play for the Knicks?
— The Ringer (@ringer) August 6, 2020
Yes! He explains what happened to @CC_Sabathia and @RyanRuocco on the @R2C2 podcast. pic.twitter.com/U82fUFFul4
“To be honest, yes. Yes, very serious. Very... Before Boston actually came along, the Knicks was one of my top priorities, actually, because I was thinking they were gonna get another player, but it didn’t work out.”
You can hear Kemba Walker pause and carefully choose his words in talking about the Knicks and why he decided to choose Boston instead.
As for that other player, I’d bet the rent that’s Kevin Durant. The two-time Finals MVP had been linked to the Knicks for much of the season, but when KD ultimately surveyed his options — and got together with Kyrie Irving — they chose the better foundation of players and more stable culture of Brooklyn. No Durant going to New York, Waker started thinking Boston.
That another All-Star/All-NBA level player was drawn to the Knicks speaks to the lure of New York City — players want to play there. Elite players. But they want to win more, and the Knicks with Tom Thibodeau have to build a foundation and culture conducive to winning. Do that and the stars will come.
