Kemba Walker is a winner and plays for championships, so it shouldn’t be a shock to hear him talk about the Charlotte Bobcats making the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
True it wouldn’t be a major feat considering the lack of quality teams in the east, but it beats the lottery and a summer of Michael Jordan’s a terrible owner jokes.
Walker told the Charlotte Observer that tanking for draft picks would be ridiculous, and that the Bobcats are focused on making the playoffs.
“I don’t see why we can’t make the playoffs,” Walker told the Charlotte Observer after Thursday’s practice. “I think we have a great team and are playing great basketball. As long as we keep it up, I think we can.
“We go out each night with the mindset we can make the playoffs. We practice like we can make the playoffs.”
The Bobcats (22-28) have a two-game lead on the Detroit Pistons for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Walker believes the focus should be on a playoff run and building the franchise from there, not tanking for Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker.
“That’s ridiculous, as far as us tanking and getting a high draft pick,” said Walker, who returned Tuesday after missing seven games with a sprained left ankle. “I don’t think we need any more [high] draft picks at this point.
“I could never [tank]. I play this game to win, not to lose. If we are going to lose, we’ll make sure it’s not easy.”