The Charlotte Hornets success is a reflection of their point guard’s play.

Off to the best start in franchise history at 5-1, Kemba Walker sets the tone for Charlotte’s productivity.

“He couldn’t be a lot better than he was tonight to start that game,” coach Steve Clifford said of Walker’s performance in their 122-100 win against Indiana Monday.  “His pick-and-roll game, he was in the paint and he made all the right plays, he hit the roll man, he was passing the ball to the weak side and then obviously he made his first four threes, I believe, also. Our ball movement, I thought, was really good.”

Said Walker: “It’s showing, for sure. I’ve been playing pretty well right now, but I’m just trying to play within the offense. I’m trying to pick my spots. Whenever I have the opportunity to be aggressive, I try to be aggressive, and make the best play possible.”

Against the Pacers, Walker had a double-double, leading the team with 24 points and 10 assists, shooting 5-of-6 from beyond the arc.

“Tonight I was able to do both score and pass the basketball really well,” Walker said.

Said guard Nic Batum, who scored nine points, grabbed six rebounds and handed out four assists against Indiana: “Last year, we got to know each other. Now we’re good. We had a full training camp. We have great game together, stuff like that. Now we know. Getting Mike [Kidd-Gilchrist] back also has made a huge difference for us. I just want [Walker] to be the best player he can be, and for the first six games so far, he’s pretty good.”  

Walker has started all six games and leads the team with 33 assists and is tied with Kidd-Gilchrist for the most steals with nine. Averaging 24.3 points per game, Walker also leads the team in scoring.  

“It’s really my teammates,” he said. “I feed off those guys, and they set great screens for me. They’re always in the right spots for me. Those guys have to get a lot of the credit.”

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