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Kemba still keeps tabs on Hornets: 'I watch every game'

Ron Turenne / National Basketball Association / Getty

Kemba Walker is a member of the Boston Celtics, but he's still keeping up with his former team.

"I watch every (Charlotte Hornets) game," Walker told reporters Thursday, including ESPN's Tim Bontemps. "I watch every game, whenever we are not playing at the same time.

"It's exciting, actually, to see their growth, especially Devonte' (Graham). He stole a couple of my moves - I see that in his game a little bit. But it's so exciting."

The Hornets have been among the surprises in the season's early going. Charlotte sits 1 1/2 games back of the Eastern Conference-leading Celtics with a 4-3 record entering Thursday's matchup between the two clubs.

Charlotte's youth has been instrumental in that encouraging beginning. Graham, 24, is averaging team highs in points (17.3) and assists (6.7) across seven appearances off the bench while teammates Miles Bridges (21 years old) and Dwayne Bacon (24) have thrived as full-time starters.

Walker said he feels a sense of a pride in how far those former teammates have come since their respective rookie campaigns.

"I know how hard those guys work, and I was their vet last year. Devonte' and Miles and Dwayne, we were always together, and even now we have a little group chat that we're always in, talking," Walker said. "So yeah, we still communicate."

Walker spent his first eight NBA seasons with the Hornets organization. He averaged 19.9 points and 5.5 assists while also earning three All-Star appearances.

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