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Employee Number 8 Part III ?
Posted: Sun Jun 7, 2009 10:57 pm
by Rocky5000
An NBA source said ex-Celtics forward Antoine Walker is in his best shape in years, as he hopes to return to the NBA after being cut by the Grizzlies last season without playing a game.
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball ... ch/?page=3From the same article that had the Thomas information. To me this is more interesting than Thomas, since Walker has such a long history with the Celtics. Danny Ainge and him may or may not be on good terms, I cannot say for sure. On the one hand, Danny shipped him out of town twice, but on the second trip it resulted in a ring for Antoine and a very large contract.
Now what does the source mean by 'best shape in years.' If it's the Miami shape of 'Toine, it's probably not worth bringing him back, if he's 97 'Toine, maybe even the shape he was in his comeback year, I think we should give him a look. We need someone who can play the 3/4 and back up Pierce, and he'd come cheap. I don't even think he's the best option out there, but if it happens, it'd make for some interesting discussions.

Re: Employee Number 8 Part III ?
Posted: Sun Jun 7, 2009 11:02 pm
by Dirty Water
Take a deep breath.
Relax.
Just let it go.
I know you can do it.
Re: Employee Number 8 Part III ?
Posted: Sun Jun 7, 2009 11:20 pm
by Kefa461
Yeah baby.....what could it hurt......

Re: Employee Number 8 Part III ?
Posted: Sun Jun 7, 2009 11:29 pm
by meatball sub
I would rather watch the version of Toine we saw last time he was in green than Mikki Moore attempting to grab a rebound. After the debacle with our bench this year with all of the injuries, mark me down as not being against bringing him back. Being released by the Grizzlies and having nobody interested in signing him this past season probably humbled the guy to the point where he would just be happy being on an NBA roster again, with or without substantial playing time. At least he always played with passion -- something you can't say about Tim Thomas.
Let the guy end his career like he always wanted -- by winning a ring as a Celtic.
Re: Employee Number 8 Part III ?
Posted: Sun Jun 7, 2009 11:33 pm
by bceltic55
Forget about AW. Please lets turn the page on this one. We need a center, sf and pg, not a pf who can't play defense, rebound and just shoots threes.
Re: Employee Number 8 Part III ?
Posted: Mon Jun 8, 2009 12:03 am
by BRUNiNHO91
He won't be worse than Scal, TA or Moore...if he is really in good shape, and came for cheap, I'd do it..
Re: Employee Number 8 Part III ?
Posted: Mon Jun 8, 2009 12:08 am
by PPAW4Life
If AW is in pretty good shape and he's willing to take say Scalabrine money why not take a flier on him? He'll be coming off the bench playing around 20 min. a game and he'd be highly motivated. He'd give the C's another playmaker and he's played in this town before.
I know the chances are pretty much slim to none because of the way the C's and Walker parted ways last but if we're serious about making another run we need another playmaker off the bench that won't absolutely kill us if we play them more than 5 min. a game.
Re: Employee Number 8 Part III ?
Posted: Mon Jun 8, 2009 1:19 am
by lojowo
http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/ ... der_by=ptsI hope someone gives Antonie a shot. very few players have reached personal stats levels before there 32 birthday like Walker. I hate to see a player of that skill level drummed out of the league because he can't get into shape and make good decisions.
Now if someone could teach the difference from a good shot and a bad shot, they would have a player.
Maybe if he's told, " Antonie, miss two in a row your pulled" he may male better decisions?
Re: Employee Number 8 Part III ?
Posted: Mon Jun 8, 2009 1:38 am
by Hemingway
PPAW4Life wrote:If AW is in pretty good shape and he's willing to take say Scalabrine money why not take a flier on him? He'll be coming off the bench playing around 20 min. a game and he'd be highly motivated. He'd give the C's another playmaker and he's played in this town before.
I know the chances are pretty much slim to none because of the way the C's and Walker parted ways last but if we're serious about making another run we need another playmaker off the bench that won't absolutely kill us if we play them more than 5 min. a game.
Are you kidding me? If Walker plays anywhere it will be for the vet min. That said, sure take him if he can legitimately beat out anyone else we can get (plus some if they have potential/are young) but I don't see it happening.
Re: Employee Number 8 Part III ?
Posted: Mon Jun 8, 2009 3:33 am
by celtics543
I'm all for it, I like Antoine and feel like he could be a good addition. He rebounds well, passes well, and handles the ball well. As long as he's not the focal point of an offense, I feel like his shooting would be better and more efficient too. Antoine is just a guy that seems like he wants to be a Celtic and genuinely loved being in Boston. I say give him a shot, sign him for the minimum and see what he's got. If he's terrible we can cut him when Leon is ready to come back, but if he really is in great shape and committed to winning, then he's a great guy to have off the bench. I think he could probably also back up Pierce if the Celts go with a big unit. He'd have trouble guarding the quicker 3's in the league, but otherwise he would be fine.
At the very least, we should bring him in for a workout and see if he has anything left. I kind of like a bench of Marbury, Baby, A. Walker, Allen, Scal, B. Walker, Giddens, Powe and whoever else we can sign. Of course Antoine wouldn't be the first choice, but if we strike out on Sheed and whoever else the Celts are looking at for big men, then I think they should give Toine a shot.
Re: Employee Number 8 Part III ?
Posted: Mon Jun 8, 2009 3:40 am
by ryaningf
Yes, bring him back already... As someone mentioned above, he would have been a better addition this season than Mikki Moore (or O'Bryant or Cassell, for that matter). Doc wants a veteran 3/4 who can stretch the defense. Antoine can do that...and he'll be cheap and probably be willing to do anything to impress (at least in the first season). Sounds like a good situation for both sides...
Re: Employee Number 8 Part III ?
Posted: Mon Jun 8, 2009 3:53 am
by campybatman
If the team didn't already have Scalabrine, I would say maybe. But, that's a big maybe. See, Antoine doesn't really fill a position of need that the Celtics have going into the off-season. Boston must fill a backup center, point guard and small forward somehow, someway. I actually would rather have Scalabrine even if him getting another concussion is a major concern. Besides, Antoine coming back to Boston is as redundant as a Saw sequel.
Re: Employee Number 8 Part III ?
Posted: Mon Jun 8, 2009 4:17 am
by CelticFaninLBC
Can't be any worse than Scals or TA..
Re: Employee Number 8 Part III ?
Posted: Mon Jun 8, 2009 4:47 am
by BakersDozen
ugh.... its inevitable Walker is going to be a celtic again.
Re: Employee Number 8 Part III ?
Posted: Mon Jun 8, 2009 5:32 am
by Celtics_Champs
LOL.
Re: Employee Number 8 Part III ?
Posted: Mon Jun 8, 2009 6:08 am
by DarkAzcura
Pics or it didn't happen
Re: Employee Number 8 Part III ?
Posted: Mon Jun 8, 2009 6:51 am
by Spin Move
Odds are at his age he can't regain the speed he lost but i give him a camp invite and if he earns a job he earns a job, id rather have him on the roster then TA, Miki Moore or Pruit, and dear lord knows if powe will be recoverd by the start of next season, we could do worse, KG pierce ray and rondo would keep him in line and if he started jacking 3's we'd bench him
Re: Employee Number 8 Part III ?
Posted: Mon Jun 8, 2009 7:22 am
by campybatman
"Greatest NBA players of our time." Antoine?
"Greatest gunner of his generation" What? They sure are talking up Antoine.
http://www.spike.com/video/sneak-peek-step-up/3184017
Re: Employee Number 8 Part III ?
Posted: Mon Jun 8, 2009 7:40 am
by BillessuR6
Bring Toine back!
He would be great off the bench. He brings leadership, experience, shooting, some post game...
Re: Employee Number 8 Part III ?
Posted: Mon Jun 8, 2009 7:41 am
by Greenwise
We have to consider him as a Scal replacement since he may be shipped out with T.Allen for a backup vet.
Let's play him a year, get him a ring, renew his friendship with Paul and say bye to the league in fashion