Kenny Smith thinks Kemba Walker is a “Ferrari” the Knicks don’t know how to drive.
On Friday, the “Inside the NBA” host told TMZ he believes coach Tom Thibodeau is at fault for Walker’s playing woes and subsequent benching this week.
“The guy is a great offensive player and you just don’t know how to use him, that’s really what you’re saying,” Smith said about Walker’s demotion. “It’s on the coach and the organization just not understanding what value of a guy like this, what they paid for.”
Walker signed a two-year, $18 million deal this summer to return home to his native New York.
“You can have a Ferrari, but you drive it 30 miles an hour… what’s the use?” said Smith, who played 10 seasons in the NBA.
Walker was taken out of the rotation after backup Alec Burks went off in his first start of the season, a win over the Hawks on Saturday.
A four-time All-Star, Walker has averaged 11.7 points through 18 appearances this season. His plus-minus is a team-worst minus-122.
Walker has not yet addressed the point guard shift publicly.