Danny Ainge's question of Walker Kessler shows increased expectations of center

LAIE, Hawaii — Danny Ainge made a beeline toward Walker Kessler.

The second-year center was busy talking to two reporters after the Jazz wrapped up their second day of training camp in Hawaii, and Ainge had his own query.

"How can you talk to the media? You don't even know what defense we're in," Ainge asked Kessler in one of those joking, but also kind of serious tones.

A conversation then ensued that gave a little bit of insight on the team's expectations of Kessler.

"What do you mean? I told you! I talked to the coach," Kessler responded. "At some point in the year, in that zone, I was told to start on the left side regardless."

"And he said OK?" Ainge said.

"He said OK," Kessler responded.

Seemingly satisfied with the explanation, Ainge pressed on: "What about the other two?"

"There were only two times!" Kessler said.

"There were three times and that was one," Ainge said. "You had the right answer. Maybe. Still iffy."

Kessler jumped in: "If you go back and watch the film, all the times, I was on the wrong side, I was on the left side!"

"All right," said a thoughtful Ainge. "You can continue."

As Ainge walked away, Kessler jokingly uttered, "Danny doesn't like me anymore."

It was a fun and maybe even a bit revealing back and forth. Last season, Kessler won the hearts of the team with his joyous attitude and being better than any rookie defender had any right to be. He was playing with house money in a sense, though. In Year 2, there are more eyes on Kessler.

The expectations are greater, the scrutiny more intense.

"The mental expectation, being on top of things, really locking in and understanding that I don't really get time to run through it a couple times," Kessler said. "Obviously, you're still gonna make mistakes because you're human, but trying your best to stay mentally ready."

Kessler spent the summer with Team USA at the FIBA World Cup, where he was coached by some of the brightest minds in basketball and played with some of the game's top young talents. Sure, he didn't play as much as he'd hoped, but the practices, the film sessions, and the constant learning helped him grow as a player.

The experience gave him some newfound confidence, too. He saw he was good enough to play with his superstar teammates, and returned with a heap of new knowledge. Now, it's figuring out how to use that to elevate his game even higher.

While more of a spotlight is on Kessler, he's still the same smiling rookie that won over fans.

After Tuesday's practice, he was swarmed by a group of elementary school kids who were eagerly waiting for the Jazz players to leave the practice gym at BYU-Hawaii. He walked into the center of the youngster and posed for a couple group photos. "Do something crazy!" he yelled, eliciting plenty of silly faces.

"A simple fist bump, smile, autograph, picture, that can make that kid's week or month, whatever," Kessler said. "So happy to do it."

And he's still got that trademark humor, too.

When asked what was different about his second training camp, he looked at the reporter and deadpanned, "Well, we're in Hawaii."

Thanks, Walker.

He went on to say that being in the lead group during drills and sets — and not watching and waiting for his turn — has been the biggest adjustment

That role comes from increased expectations on the team. Kessler cemented himself as a building block — if not a cornerstone — of a rebuilding squad last season. He wants to show he has another level, though.

How can he do that? By doing the same thing he's always done.

"I've said this 100 bajillion times but, it's how I feel," Kessler said. "I think that as long as I focus on the right thing, focus on impacting the game and trying to win, and not really listening to all the other stuff, I play my best basketball when I'm just trying to win."

That should get Ainge liking him again.

Related topics