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Every time I see Skywalker play I am more impressed with him, his athelticism, his ability, but especially his complete lack of fear for a second round rookie. His preseason run-ins were some of the most fun I've had watching a rookie in years, but the again I fell in love with Perk when he, as a 20 year old 2nd year guy out of high school, threw J O'neal to the floor in the playoffs when he got a few mins and O'neal tried to tangle him up. So, just for kicks, I'd like to hear some predictions or player comparisons as to where people on this board think his ceiling will reach. I'd love to do this for Giddens too, but just haven't seen enough of him yet.

Personally when I watch Walker play I see Ricky Davis talent without the head case issues and with some defense to boot. He's got the athleticism and the flair, is a capable but not stellar shooter that opponents will probably look to make a shooter instead of a driver when he gets to be a rotation guy. The thing that excites me is he seems to have the work ethic to become a decent defender also, which Ricky never had. I don't think Bill will ever carry a team, but will reach a level where he can be a quality starter on an NBA team, and a real steal for where he was drafted.

What really impresses me is his body control finishing around the rim.

I think his best-case ceiling is probably Ron Artest. Even the craziness fits.

I personally don't see the Ricky Davis comparison other than leaping ability (and Ricky never even took advantage of that since the guy never drove to the hoop). I haven't seen enough of his game to make a sound NBA-comparison yet, but if anything I think he's more like Tony Allen (athletically) than Ricky, which is even better.

Shouldn't we wait until he actually, you know, *DOES* something in the NBA...?

DelMonte West wrote:I personally don't see the Ricky Davis comparison other than leaping ability (and Ricky never even took advantage of that since the guy never drove to the hoop). I haven't seen enough of his game to make a sound NBA-comparison yet, but if anything I think he's more like Tony Allen (athletically) than Ricky, which is even better.

Well, where Ricky took advantage of his leaping ability was getting his shot off and on crazy put backs. Ricky did take it to the rim some, but teams always tried to make him a shooter and he seemed content to be one most of the time, which I don't think will be the case with Walker. I always felt Ricky could have been a much better player, and at times he was pretty good, if his head was in the right place, and I see Bill having that same level of ability with a good work ethic and better IQ to boot. It's speculation of course, but that is why I titled it as "Just a fun" thread.

MyInsatiableOne wrote:Shouldn't we wait until he actually, you know, *DOES* something in the NBA...?

You can if you want, but that is why I titled it "Just a fun Bill Walker thread" and included "just for kicks" in the OP. *sigh*

Tracy McGrady

*sarcasm*

I think he is to small. He can`t be more than 6`5 and it doesn`t seem like he has long arms...He had a few nice moments but mainly he has just looked lost on the floor.

Prophet_C wrote:Tracy McGrady

*sarcasm*

is that a G-Money blast from the past?

Shaq.

Just kidding. However if he truly can only hope to aspire to be Tony Allen I'll lose it cause i can't stand one Tony Allen on my team, let alone two.

I do see the Ricky Davis comparison though, because he is going to be a freak athlete with no real use on a good NBA team. Just my opinion, which will change drastically if he develops a legit jumpshot. Fun to watch though - he reminds me of Gerald Green, one can only hope he turns out far better than that project did.

Bad-Thoma wrote:

Prophet_C wrote:Tracy McGrady

*sarcasm*

is that a G-Money blast from the past?

Bad-Thoma wrote:

Prophet_C wrote:Tracy McGrady

*sarcasm*

is that a G-Money blast from the past?

FederalePDT wrote:Shaq.

Just kidding. However if he truly can only hope to aspire to be Tony Allen I'll lose it cause i can't stand one Tony Allen on my team, let alone two.

I do see the Ricky Davis comparison though, because he is going to be a freak athlete with no real use on a good NBA team. Just my opinion, which will change drastically if he develops a legit jumpshot. Fun to watch though - he reminds me of Gerald Green, one can only hope he turns out far better than that project did.

Wow, Gerald Green? I don't see that at all, Gerald always looked nervous and lost. Bill looks lost at times, which is to be expected for a rookie who's logged very few minutes, but seems to be confident as hell. Lol, I'm not seeing the Skywalker love I expected here.

He reminds me of a bigger Tony Allen with a better jump shot and a brain.

I really like the guy, i think he has a lot more in his offense than Tony does, last night in limited minutes he hit an alley oop and a nice jumper, but more impressive was that he posted up multiple times down the floor.. he really looks like a player in this league and its a shame Doc couldnt find minutes for him earlier in the season, i think he could have had a role similar to what Baby did last season as a rookie

Celts17Pride wrote:He reminds me of a bigger Tony Allen with a better jump shot and a brain.

That I can see. Though maybe it's not as much "a brain" and just having a better mind-set, you don't see a lot of stars get down on themselves after every mistake the way Tony Allen does and Gerald used to, the players that succeed in this league seem to invariably be almost egotistically self confident. Not letting go of mistakes really detracts from Tony's game, IMO, if he screws up he seems to steadily head down hill from that point, if he starts the game off well he plays with confidence and teases us all with what could be. Perk used to be like that too, but it seems he has moved past it and now plays with some ego, still making mistakes but not hanging his head and letting it affect him like it used to.

Ricky Davis at his best had crazy good on the ball shot creation skills. That's why Ricky was always a want to be point guard. He had the complete offensive basketball game - midrange, slashes, and 3 point shots. He could beat anyone off the dribble at will. I remember the game he lit PP up for 40+ points. More then that Ricky Davis was a basketball showman - like an NBA globetrotter. it was never that Ricky didn't play hard. Its just his play seem not always 100% directed on winning.

Bill Walker doesn't seem to be that kind of player. I'd say he is more like Gerald Wallace then Ricky Davis. I don't see a similiar personality or game. Ricky's name just gets tossed out because he was very athletic and a swing man..

I'd say best case: Gerald Wallace.
worst case: Blue Edwards.

Pete

GuyClinch wrote:Ricky Davis at his best had crazy good on the ball shot creation skills. That's why Ricky was always a want to be point guard. He had the complete offensive basketball game - midrange, slashes, and 3 point shots. He could beat anyone off the dribble at will. I remember the game he lit PP up for 40+ points. More then that Ricky Davis was a basketball showman - like an NBA globetrotter. it was never that Ricky didn't play hard. Its just his play seem not always 100% directed on winning.

Bill Walker doesn't seem to be that kind of player. I'd say he is more like Gerald Wallace then Ricky Davis. I don't see a similiar personality or game. Ricky's name just gets tossed out because he was very athletic and a swing man..

I'd say best case: Gerald Wallace.
worst case: Blue Edwards.

Pete

I can see the Gerald Wallace comparison as well from a skills comparison. I'm not just tossing out Ricky's name based on athletisicm and the fact that he's a swingman though, that's kind of weak. Part of it comes from the "NBA showman" bit actually, Ricky was fun to watch even when he played for a piss poor cleveland team because you could see how much he loved to play. Walker, while probably not being a conscious showman, has a similarity for me with how much you see him smiling and having fun when he is out there and with the flashy dunks and fearless way he has approached his minutes thus far, such as dunking on Ratcliff's head and getting in the face of Lebron and getting into it with T-Mac. To put it pretty broadly he has a similar swagger to Ricky. Like I said before, at this stage it's pure speculation. If we're lucky enough that he turns into either Gerald or Ricky (with a better mindset) it'll be another feather in Danny's hat.

Well, I've always thought of Bill Walker as a smaller, more athletic Paul Pierce. Of course, Bill will need to work on that 3 to make the comparison stick.