The one player in the NBA that does not need the “Welcome to New York” signs outside of Madison Square Garden and in the press conference to greet him is Kemba Walker. He’s a New York native who has made numerous memories playing at Madison Square Garden in high school and with his memorable buzzer-beater while playing for Connecticut in the Huskies’ memorable run in the Big East Tournament.
March 10, 2011: Kemba Walker and UConn stun Pittsburgh at the buzzer on way to Big East championship and national title #ThisDayInGIFs pic.twitter.com/PZEa75RZcy
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) March 10, 2017
Now he returns to the spotlight to see what he can accomplish on a more consistent basis playing for the New York Knicks.
It had been a busy offseason to set up Kemba’s homecoming. First, the Boston Celtics traded him to Oklahoma City in June before Walker agreed to a buyout to open up the opportunity to sign with the Knicks.
The team held a news conference this week to welcome Walker and his Celtics teammate from last season, Evan Fournier, who was acquired in a separate sign-and-trade deal with a video montage.
First intros already giving us chills pic.twitter.com/z2pHpHAKFn
— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) August 17, 2021
Walker’s signing had positive reviews in New York, where the Knicks’ search for a point guard hopefully ends with the one right in town. Kemba got congratulatory messages from friends, family and old coaches when the news broke that he’d be a Knick. Walker said he feels great now.
“I think everything is perfect. Everything,” Walker said via NBA.com. “Perfect timing.”
