Picture this: a dominant NBA center suddenly morphing into a playmaking wizard, dishing out eight assists in one game and potentially reshaping how his team attacks on offense. It's the kind of shift that could ignite debates among fans and experts alike. But here's where it gets controversial: Is Walker Kessler on the verge of breaking the mold for big men, or is this just a preseason flash that might fade under the bright lights of the regular season?
In Salt Lake City, Walker Kessler delivered an unforgettable 25-second stretch that had everyone buzzing. He drained a three-pointer at one end, swatted a shot at the other, and then sprinted out for a powerful two-handed slam, eliciting thunderous cheers from the home crowd.
It's great to have you back, Walker!
The fourth-year center bounced back from a shoulder bruise to propel Utah to a thrilling 132-129 victory against Portland at the Delta Center, capping off their preseason schedule.
And yet, that electrifying sequence might not even be the highlight of his outing. Kessler wrapped up the night with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and—wait for it—eight assists.
Assists? From a center? It looks like Kessler picked up some passing skills over the summer.
'We're relying on him to set up plays in various situations, especially when we're moving without the ball,' explained Jazz head coach Will Hardy. 'He made some smart decisions with the ball tonight.'
Sure, a few of those assists came from simple dribble handoffs, where players like Keyonte George capitalized on Kessler's screens for quick shots. But Kessler also showcased more sophisticated passes—he zipped a backdoor feed for an effortless layup and lofted a pinpoint ball to Lauri Markkanen cutting through the defense late in the action.
The Jazz offense has been experimenting early in preseason, with Jusuf Nurkic often directing the action, and Kessler clearly took some inspiration from that.
'I heard we're incorporating more quick, improvised plays, so I've been visualizing and executing those throws in my mind,' Kessler shared. 'Don't hold back on making those passes. Tonight, it all clicked, and it was enjoyable.'
Kessler's previous best in assists for an NBA game was six, and he believes Thursday's eight is the highest he's ever recorded, at any level.
'He's grasping the system more deeply and taking his time with decisions,' observed Markkanen. 'Many of those assists involved someone curling off his screen and hitting him perfectly, so his reads are sharpening up.'
This newfound facet could inject fresh energy into Utah's offense and help Kessler tap into more of his potential—though he'll still mix in the occasional three-point attempt.
'Kessler darting to the basket and applying pressure, not just to score but to pull defenders and create rebound opportunities, is crucial for our squad,' Hardy noted. 'I won't raise an eyebrow at some long-range shots, as long as they fit the rhythm of our plays and the balance remains just right.'
His 26 minutes on the court were packed with variety (he sat out the fourth quarter, which is probably why he fell short of a triple-double). His drives to the rim and screen sets opened up space for Utah's guards, particularly George, who scored 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting. The third-year guard frequently teamed up with Kessler in a dynamic duo, finding openings on the perimeter and near the basket.
'We're reaching a stage where we're actively outsmarting defenses,' George said. 'Kessler trusts me, and I trust him, so with time, it's only improving.'
Hardy revealed the team has deliberately paired the two in games and practices over the past 18 months to build that rapport.
'People expect instant connections, but after so much time together, they now sync better,' Hardy added. 'Kessler excels at creating mismatches, and his rim pressure creates chances for everyone, including himself.'
And chances for himself are still on the menu. Despite the impressive assist tally, Markkanen had a different standout moment in mind.
'I'm thrilled about his three-pointer,' he remarked.
And this is the part most people miss: Could Kessler's evolution into a facilitator signal a broader trend where big men prioritize passing over brute force, or is this risky for a team counting on his defensive anchor role? What do you think—should centers like him embrace this change, or stick to traditional strengths? Share your thoughts in the comments; we'd love to hear if this sparks agreement or debate!
The Key Takeaways for this article were crafted with the help of advanced language models and vetted by our editorial staff. The article itself was written entirely by a human.
