Walker Kessler is getting some huge compliments but can he live up to them?
Whether you want to believe it or not, the Utah Jazz actually have some really impressive talents who are under the age of 25. You have Ochai Agbaji, Walker Kessler, and the trio of rookies Tayler Hendricks, Brice Sensabaugh, and Keyonte George. Not to mention the guys like Johnny Juzang who are also a part of the team.
But according to Bleacher Report’s Mo Dakhil it’s Kessler that has the highest ceiling. It’s odd that Dakhil referred to him as a throw-in piece, as he was anything but but it’s not unfair to say that Kessler out-performed expectations. He was great defensively, something Dakhil mentions numerous times.
Yet, does that mean he has the highest ceiling of anyone on the team? Well, maybe. It’s hard to say for sure because George and Hendricks have not been really tested and Agbaji is someone who, with consistent opportunities, may turn into a very viable three-point shooter.
So to just give Kessler the nod after just 40 starts isn’t something that should happen without a deeper examination. He’s got some merit for being that guy sure, he’s a good rebounder, a good shot-blocker and he isn’t easy to move.
But what else can he do? While the conversation should surround how he stacks up to the others on the team, we can’t help but point out that his upside has to be higher than Rudy Gobert’s historically. If Kessler can play on par with Gorbert defensively and play even better than him offensively, then yes, the hype around Kessler will be fair.
No one should be demanding Kessler drop 35 points per game while shooting eight shots from three and hitting four. But, Kessler proves he’s a force from down low offensively, while keeping his defense at the level it is, if not improving upon it.
After all, guys like George and Hendricks are going to be held to the same standard; play great on both ends of the court. So while it’s easier to look at Kessler and give him the nod by default, simply due to the lack of experience around him, we don’t think you can truly dub him the guy with the highest ceiling until he gets more reps.
It’s simply not a statement that can be made so soon. Kessler looks to be the real deal defensively, but even then we have to wait and see if that’s the case, as he’s very early in his pro career. So, let’s not give anyone such a statement so early into their career.