MINNEAPOLIS – When Kemba Walker was an impressionable kid, his dance moves were so impressive that he was a
member of a dance group in New York that had the good fortune of having a few engagements at the world famous Apollo Theater.
For Walker, it really was showtime at its finest.
“It happened a few times when I was eight- and nine-years old,” Walker told Mavs.com. “We were actually pretty good.
“It was from my community center and we had a little dance group and we traveled around the city and competed in competitions. I was one of two boys in the group, and there also were six to eight girls.”
The competition was a precursor to making it to the Showtime At The Apollo TV show.
“The Apollo thing, it was a chance to get on TV,” Walker said. “But we didn’t make it to that round.”
What Walker did make it to was the NBA. The six-foot, 184-pound point guard is in his 12th season – and his first with the Dallas 
Mavericks after signing a free agent contract last month.
Before joining the Mavs, Walker said: “I was just in Orlando working out and preparing myself for this moment, for this opportunity. I was grinding. I was treating it like I was in-season.
“I was getting my work in and trying to take care of my body as much as I can, just waiting for a call.”
In four games since the Mavs called him, Walker is averaging 15 points and 4.3 assists in 24,8 minutes per game. His largest contributions came Saturday when point guard Luka Doncic sat out the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a right quad strain.
Walker started that game, played 42 grueling minutes and finished with a game-high 32 points, five rebounds and seven assists. It was indeed a show-stopping performance by Walker, who tied the game and sent it into overtime on a basket with just 3.5 seconds remaining in regulation play.
“I don’t know too many people who can do that,” center Christian Wood said. “He’s an All-Star caliber player, he showed what he can do, he’s made over $100 million in his career, so he’s nobody you can take lightly.
“The fact that we have him coming off the bench and helping all the other guys is tremendous for us.”
A quiet and unassuming – but very confident – type, Walker was quick to admit that his performance against the Cavs was “only one game. But I’m here to do what I can and I’m here to help in any way I can. I’m really just happy to be here, happy for another opportunity, and I’m happy to be around such great people.
“The energy around here has been nothing short of amazing. Those are the things that I appreciate. Just the camaraderie. That’s what I appreciate the most.”
Walker also appreciates the fact that although he’s the new kid on the Mavs’ block, they treat him like he’s been around the team for a very long time.
“For me, I don’t like to step on anybody’s toes and I don’t feel like I’m above anybody,” Walker said. “I’m kind of the new guy.
“I know I have a lot of experience in the league. But to come in and play how I played (against the Cavs), and have everybody talking about me, these guys were genuinely happy for me after the game.”
Walker, who scored 14 points in 24 minutes during Monday’s 116-106 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, steadfastly believes he can provide the Mavs with “a spark” off the bench. He’s a four-time All-Star, so he’s been around the block a time or two when it comes to running an offense and dissecting a defense.
“Things that I might see that they might not see on a daily basis, on a game-to-game basis,” is what Walker said he can help the Mavs with. “Just providing that energy, that intensity, that leadership.
“You know on occasions I’m going to be out there helping these guys as much as a can, scoring when they need me too, or just making plays. It’s really whatever that needs to be done, whatever they ask me to do I’m going to try to do it.”
As Walker was getting adjusted to life with the Mavs, the first NBA coach he ever had – Paul Silas – passed away on Dec. 10 of cardiac arrest. Silas was Walker’s coach during Walker’s rookie season with the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2011-’12 season.
“That’s my guy,” Walker said. “He was such a great guy. He just had so much belief in me, and I definitely appreciate him for allowing me to just grow as player, for allowing me to make the mistakes. Even after he finished coaching, he always came to the games, always was supporting me, always made sure to come say hello.
“Even my mom and his wife, they have a really great relationship as well. His son, Stephen, and his wife and his family, we’re all still close from those days. That’s my family right there. He was loved, for sure. He was loved by many, many people. That’s because of the guy that he 
was. He was a special dude.”
The Mavs, who play the Timberwolves on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Target Center, are aware that Walker is a special dude, too. They know he went five straight seasons from 2015-20 averaging over 20 points a game, and they would love for him to continue that success with their franchise.
Wood said what he likes about Walker is: “His veteran leadership, his ability to take control of the game, be a point guard, get others involved, and slow down the game when things get riled up.
“Since he got here he immediately got to work. I had the opportunity of getting to play 5-on-5 with him in practice before he was cleared to play.”
Now about those dance moves, Walker, 32, laughed and added that his dancing days are over.
“That was when I was a kid,” he said. “I’m too old now.”
SURGERY FOR KLEBER: Forward Maxi Kleber underwent surgery Tuesday to address a right hamstring tear that occurred in practice on December 13.
Kleber will begin rehabilitation immediately, the Mavs announced, and there is no timetable for his return at this point.
Kleber is averaging 6.2 points and 3.5 rebounds in 25.6 minutes per game while shooting 49 percent from the field this season.
Twitter: @DwainPrice
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