Jim Calhoun had a good point. Jim Calhoun has a lot of good points.

We were talking about how Kyrie Irving might be a more talented player than Kemba Walker, but the latter might be a better fit for the Celtics.

“Talent’s a funny thing, you know,” Calhoun, winner of more than 1,200 games as coach of Northeastern, UConn and now Division 3 Saint Joseph, interjected. “Being a great leader, being a great teammate — that’s a talent.”

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 12: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies speaks with head coach Jim Calhoun during the championship of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfitters at Madison Square Garden on March 12, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON - MARCH 17: Head coach Jim Calhoun of the Connecticut Huskies and Kemba Walker #15 smile during their game against the Bucknell Bison during the second round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Verizon Center on March 17, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 16: U.S. President Barack Obama (R) jokes with 2011 NCAA Champion University of Connecticut men's basketball guard Kemba Walker while honoring the team at the White House May 16, 2011 in Washington, DC. UConn earned the national championship with an 11-game run through the postseason, ending with a 53-41 win over Butler in the NCAA title game. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)



WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 16: U.S. President Barack Obama (C) holds up a jersey while posing for photographs with 2011 NCAA Champion University of Connecticut men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun (R) and team guard Kemba Walker at the White House May 16, 2011 in Washington, DC. UConn earned the national championship with an 11-game run through the postseason, ending with a 53-41 win over Butler in the NCAA title game. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 04: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies cuts down the net after defeating the Butler Bulldogs to win the National Championship Game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament by a score of 53-41 at Reliant Stadium on April 4, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 13: Kemba Walker (R), guard for the Connecticut Huskies walks with Russell Martin #55 of the New York Yankees after he throws out the first pitch before the game between the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2011 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)



NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 24: NBA draft prospect Kemba Walker (L) from the University of Connecticut Huskies and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg watch the New York Knicks play against the Boston Celtics in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 11: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Bobcats and Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on February 11, 2013 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 11: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics tries to stop Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on October 11, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)



CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 15: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets at he Tissot Style Lounge during NBA All-Star Weekend 2019 at the EPICENTRE on February 15, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 16: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets takes a shot during the MTN DEW 3-Point Contest as part of the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend at Spectrum Center on February 16, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 17: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets and Team Giannis passes against Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics and Team LeBron in the third quarter during the NBA All-Star game as part of the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend at Spectrum Center on February 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)



CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 25: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors talks to Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on February 25, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 27: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts against Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on February 27, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 03: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts after a play against the Portland Trail Blazers during their game at Spectrum Center on March 03, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)



CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 06: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts against the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on March 06, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 06: Teammates Rodney McGruder #17 of the Miami Heat and Josh Richardson #0 of the Miami Heat try to stop Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on March 06, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 15: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets dribbles in front of Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 15, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)



WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 15: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 15, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 15: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets in action against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 15, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Having known Calhoun well for decades, I can state he’s very protective of his word. He’s not given to hyperbole, certainly not when there’s a chance it’ll bite him in the hindquarters down the line. So when he lights up at the mention of Walker, a three-year pupil at UConn, it’s far beyond coach speak.

“Kemba is a leader,” Calhoun said. “Those guys he played with didn’t like Kemba, they loved him.”

The coach then told one of his favorite stories, one he’s been putting to good use this week in the wake of reports that Walker is headed to Braintree-born Calhoun’s favorite NBA team, the Celts. It dates to November 2010, when the Huskies had to wait on the bus in Maui quite a while as star Walker was going through media interviews.

“It’s 90 degrees out, and the kids all wanted to get to the pool or someplace,” Calhoun said. “But when Kemba got on the bus, the entire team got up and started clapping. I’ve been around this thing a long time, and I know that most guys at some point are going to say, ‘You know, if they gave me the ball and I played his minutes and I could take the same number of shots as him, I could do that, too.’ But nobody was ever like that with Kemba. The players, the coaches, everybody started clapping.

“That’s who Kemba is. He led us to a Big East championship and a national championship because he’s a special player, but he’s as special as a person. That’s what I call talent.”

The 2018-19 Celtics didn’t seem to lack for basketball skill, but they could never get their heads together in any consistent collective fashion. The discussion turned to the general idea that building a successful team requires more than merely putting the best possible players together. There is a very human and social element to it.

“Well, they’ve got to know what they are, you know?” Calhoun said. “And that carries into the locker room. That carries into practice. It carries onto the bus. In college, we practiced two hours a day, and then they were in classes. In the NBA, they’re together a lot more than that. It’s kind of important that they have relationships.

“I’ve had 30-something kids that have played in the league, and like 18 selected in the lottery. The teams they were on and who was leading them always made a big difference. I think that’s one thing that Kemba brings as well as I’ve coached in 50 years. He’s a great leader.”

Calhoun then raised the stakes on Walker by invoking the name of a Northeastern legend and gone-too-soon Celtic.

“I called Kemba and Reggie Lewis, God rest his soul, the smiling assassins,” the coach said. “He’s approachable, he’s likable, yet he’d cut your heart out for a win. He’s lovable. He’s got that beautiful smile, and he has that joy in playing. That translates to other guys.

“Kemba started in the All-Star Game, but young guys like (Jayson) Tatum and (Jaylen) Brown will see him and see how he treats people — coaches included, Danny (Ainge) included, the trainer — and it’ll have an effect.

“I’m just telling you, nothing against Kyrie. That’s not my issue. But I watched Toronto this year, and however their leader acted, that’s how they acted. I think people don’t understand what that leadership means. And as a coach, all the great teams I had always had a player like that, and Kemba was as good as any player I ever had like that. I think guys like Brown, Tatum and Gordon Hayward coming back — which I think he still can — are going to like playing with Kemba. They could all be very special.

“Kemba’s not only quick, he’s fast — and powerful and fearless. He loves the game. I really believe the less you have to say as a coach, the better it is, because if they’re watching the best on their team act the way you should, it helps everybody.”

When it comes to the coach in Boston, Calhoun had something more to say.

“If you asked me over the last five years, ‘Who’s the coach of the future?’ To me, it’s Brad Stevens,” Calhoun said. “Just because of the way he can handle this crazy, social media society and handle people, being firm but caring, Brad’s that kind of guy. I mean, he really is.

“Everybody has situations where the pieces don’t fit. That’s not the coach’s fault. Sometimes it’s not even the players’ fault. But you don’t go anywhere without leadership. Toronto may not be the best team, but they had the right leadership to go with their players and they just happen to be the world champions.”

And he thinks Stevens will appreciate Walker, who defeated his Butler crew in the 2011 NCAA championship game.

“Oh, absolutely,” Calhoun said. “Kemba’s a really loyal person. I mean, he always wanted to stay in Charlotte. He and I talked at length about this. But he wants to win.”

And coach/Celtics fan Jim Calhoun thinks that can happen with Walker getting on the same page with whatever Ainge can gather.

“A fist together is much stronger than five fingers,” he said.