It is no secret that MJ Walker's 3rd year in the CSL has been a disappointment. Coming off back-to-back efficient, versatile seasons to start his career, many predicted the 25-year-old to take a leap to stardom in 2031-32, especially following the exit of franchise scorer Malik Monk. Walker's career averages wouldn't scream stardom, but those who have seen him really get his all-around game going, know what he's capable of.
But the 6'5 203-pound wing admits he let the offseason pressure get to him, and when the season began, and he wasn't the star everyone expected, he got deep into his head. "I think it was mid November before I even got my 3-point percentage out of the single digits, I just came out flat and got frustrated."
Hearing it from all fronts.... heckles from his own fans, jabs from ESPN pundits, and occasionally his own teammates, Walker admits he lost all confidence in his shot. The straw that broke the camel's back? A post-game quote caught on a hot mic, from his own general manager, following a game in Denver where Walker squeaked out just 5 FGA and didn't shoot at all from downtown. At the time, the forward, whose calling card was supposed to be his scoring efficiency, had averaged just 11.5 points per game on 36% shooting over the previous 6 weeks.
Rumors circulated like wildfire by all the basketball talking heads throughout the subsequent All-Star Break. Walker spent the entire week off at home in Atlanta, Georgia, and didn't touch a basketball, hoping to come back with renewed energy. 3 games passed, and he scored just 39 points on 33% shooting. Knowing what was coming, Walker made the request on his own. "Give me a few games with Rio Grande, I'm going to force myself back into a rhythm, and I don't care how long it takes."KW wrote:If MJ keeps playing like fucking Nicolas Batum, we're going to sort his shit out in the D-League. I'm over this.
Walker essentially assumed the Luka Doncic role for the Rattlers immediately... and he shot 4-23 from deep and committed 15 turnovers in the first two games, sparking a tirade from ESPN's resident moron Kendrick Perkins, who insisted he could shoot better than 4-23 from deep vs D-League competition. Walker says, "That was what flipped the switch. I can't have people thinking that washed up dumbass can out shoot me. I might be hating everything that's going on right now, but I still have some dignity left, dammit."
Walker played 3 more D-League games, in which he averaged a 35-point triple double, but most importantly, on 54/58/90 shooting splits, shooting 14-24 from downtown.
After being called up 8 games ago, MJ has displayed renewed confidence in his offensive game. He's scored 16 a game on roughly 50/35/70 shooting splits, he's been deadly consistent within a few points of that average, aside from one game in foul trouble, helping build a winning streak up to seven games for the Rockets in his first 4 games back.
MJ Walker wrote:I feel like I'm enjoying basketball again, really for the first time this season. I think the D-League helped me just find my rhythm again, and I'd tell other young guys not to be afraid to go down there even if you're an established guy in the league. The worst that can happen is Perk talks shit about you. Channel that the right way, and you'll find yourself. Thank you Kendrick Perkins.
