Who's next on Bill Walker's Checklist???

[Kefa461]

Rookie Bill Walker tangled with Houston's Tracy McGrady in the first half Saturday. McGrady was whistled for a flagrant foul, and both received technicals.

"I told him, 'Don't back down, but don't be stupid,' " Rivers said of Walker. "Bill will get under a lot of people's skins because he plays so physical and cuts so hard. People don't like it, but it's what's going to make him a good player."

Said Kevin Garnett, "[Walker] is definitely not the guy to back down, but, more importantly, he kept his composure."


Me likes....

[billfromBoston]

Kenyon Martin played like a thug (40 techinals and 4 ejections) for much of his time in New Jersey. After he "toned" it down (still fouling, pushing, attempting to intimidate), the referees started to cut him some slack. I always thought that instigators should make a name for themselves as a tough guy/antagonist and then cut it back a little bit.

I don't think Bill Walker should have too much of a problem, to be honest. Hell, the Paper Tiger in Oralndo and Princess James have both done the same things since their first days in the league and they both have got away with it. Perhaps that is Stern's enabling of 1st overall picks/face of franchise types, though.

I agree...most physical players go through a rough first few years and if the refs don't "break them" they usually get away with more....

[billfromBoston]

BfB--

Can we expect a decent outside game from Walker at some point in his career? Also, do you have any idea what the state of his knees might be?

elrod

From 15 feet and in his shooting can be pretty solid - able to his quick turn-arounds or shots off the dribble...but he has always shot in front of his face before working on correcting his form this summer...I think he'll become a very solid 3 point shooter on kick-outs and will develop a reliable one dribble pull-up over the next 2-3 years..

Right now, his best offense is off-ball cuts and post-up/ISO within that 15 foot area..

[elrod enchilada]

Thanks, BfB. I have not really seen Walker before this preseason and I have been pleasantly surprised. I know you have been very high on him. I am deeply impressed with his ability to get to the line, and his general demeanor. If the kness are OK and stay OK I think we definitely have a starting caliber player at some point down the road. Maybe more, if his outside game develops as you forecast. If he can take a consistent shot out to three point land, he might have a very nice career in front of him.