Walker wants out

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

I don't think the Celts need him. The only thing I can think of that supports signing him is that he has playoff experience, something that Powe or Baby don't possess.

I said this when he was first traded to Minnesota and this board was thinking he'd be bought out - I don't care if the Celts sign him. I don't think he'd be that valuable towards a title run, but I also don't think he'd really hurt their chances, so long as he stays wearing his warmup jacket.

[Celts17Pride]

Walker would not play before Powe or Big Baby. Brings nothing to the table. End of story.

[cfan79]

I don't think the Celts need him. The only thing I can think of that supports signing him is that he has playoff experience, something that Powe or Baby don't possess.

I think Walker's dribbling and passing could be used effectively off the bench. Plus I like how we matchup against Detroit if Doc does a small ball lineup of Walker/KG/Pierce/Ray/Rondo

[francishsu]

I'd be fine if Walker basically replaced Scal in his role. But I don't think he'd be happy doing that, getting Scal's minutes only.

[canman1971]

I'm torn, because I have never been a fan of Walker, but he does have playoff experience, a title and is a good character guy. That being said, I hate his game. He has, IMO, underachieved his whole career. He obviously never realized his potential and worked on what would have made him a much better player. Things like working in the post and most importantly, improving his vertical around the basket. I have never seen a guy miss more open layups. The only way I would support Walker coming here is if he openly pledged, "I will not shoot one three pointer while here." I also feel Walker still thinks he is better than he really is or has ever been. It would be pretty funny though to sign him and then keep him on the inactive roster and then let him go again at the end of the year

[I love heinsohn]

Some people here seem to be forgetting that when we got Toine back the last time we won 11 out of the first 12 games.

I don't think anyone is forgetting, but that was a .500 team that needed a boost and got one to make the playoffs (and then blew up in game seven vs. Indy). Antoine had better chemistry with the team as it was then assembled, was 28 instead of 31 years old, and shooting a lot better from the field.

He's not better than Powe or Baby, but if Antoine comes back there will be a lot of pressure to play him. No need for that distraction.

[DelMonte West]

Some people here seem to be forgetting that when we got Toine back the last time we won 11 out of the first 12 games.

"When", "was", "used to be", etc.

Walker was a different player then than he is now. As Pete already said the guy's freaking disgusting on offense at 36%.

In his first 5 games during his second stint with us I don't even think he took a 3-pointer. Then he started regressing into his Dennis Scott routine. Also, what was the average record of those teams we beat? The talent level's a lot better now than it was back then.

Also, part of the reason we won so many of those games was because teams had to make a big adjustment to Walker's new role. Once that was figured out our team was walked all over by a beat-up Indiana team. You can compare that streak to the way our team played at the beginning of this year (where we were blowing everyone out) to now. As time goes by the gap closes, which is just what happened back then.

If you were to guarantee me that we could get the Walker that played for his first 8 games back (basically his peak performance) I'd welcome him back. Unfortunately the guy looks like he's eaten noting but potato chips for the last year and has a hard time just getting up and down.

Finally, where's he getting his minutes from?

[cfan79]

He's not better than Powe or Baby, but if Antoine comes back there will be a lot of pressure to play him. No need for that distraction.

Powe and Baby are still young they can wait their turn. Right now Walker is better for our team. Especially if we can't bring in a true backup point guard.

[cfan79]

The reason he didn't workout in Minny is because they were a young team rebuilding. He had other players that they wanted to play ahead of him. Big Al, Gomes, C.Smith, Brewer.

[canman1971]

This was posted by Roy Hobbs over at Celticsblog, so hopefully this is correct. After thinking about it for a minute, I don't want this stiff around. I was torn at first, but I had a V-8 and came to my senses.

In all likelihood, this is going to be a moot point, anyway:

Quote
"The only one I don't see happening is [Antoine Walker]," said a Western Conference general manager who wished to remain anonymous. "Unless the buyout is for pennies, I don't see how [the Timberwolves] save enough in cap space to make it worthwhile."


Quote

Here are the links.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/w ... index.html

http://www.nba.com/nba_news/walkercasse ... trueWalker, who is making $8.5 million this season and is scheduled to draw $9.3 million next season, does not want to give up much of his guaranteed money. The Wolves have already coughed up millions to buy out Juwan Howard and Troy Hudson within the past year, however, and are not eager to do that again. Walker could be a valuable trade asset this summer, so holding onto him for now is more likely.

"I'm not sure anything's going to happen or not,'' agent Mark Bartelstein said. "We'll see. We've had conversations. If we can't get something worked out, then he'll stay there.''



Antoine is a very valuable trading chip the next two seasons, due to his expiring contract (which has a team option). It makes no sense for the Twolves to pay him close to all the money owed to him, while granting him free agency.

[BillessuR6]

I would love to have Walker back. One thing he can do is create his own offense and that is what we need off the bench. The only player who can do that now is Tony. Addition of Walker and Cassell would give us a new dimension in that regard. Obviously, he would need to play in the post more (he has that hook shot) and not shoot threes.

He would also bring leadership. And whether you like Toine as a player or not he always bled green!

[cfan79]

Not convinced that Walker is more 'done' then Mags. I see the cult of Walker fans lives strong over here. <g> I liked Walker but if he wanted to play for the C's he should have worked for a better then 36% shooting percentage on the court this year.

Pete

Toine has always been a volume shooter. His 3 point % has always sucked. That drove me nuts, but I think that his other tools overcompensate for that negative.

Bring Back Walker

[canman1971]

I would love to have Walker back. 1. One thing he can do is create his own offense and that is what we need off the bench. The only player who can do that now is Tony. Addition of Walker and Cassell would give us a new dimension in that regard. Obviously, he would need to play in the post more (he has that hook shot) and 2. not shoot threes.

He would also bring leadership. And whether you like Toine as a player or not he always bled green!

1. I wouldn't call getting the ball 25 feet from the hoop and chucking it "creating your own offense." The guy can't jump over my phone book and I live in a pretty small area.

2. Antoine doesn't speak that language.

[DelMonte West]

-= original quote snipped =-



Powe and Baby are still young they can wait their turn. Right now Walker is better for our team. Especially if we can't bring in a true backup point guard.

cfan79,

Our team has been getting outrebounded (especially on the offensive boards) consistently of late. Taking minutes away from two of our toughest rebounders to make room for a soft replacement who lacks both leaping ability (Powe) and muscle (both Powe and Davis) is counterproductive.

I just don't get this as a solution. It's like using gas to put out a fire on the basis it's a liquid.

[cfan79]

1. I wouldn't call getting the ball 25 feet from the hoop and chucking it "creating your own offense." The guy can't jump over my phone book and I live in a pretty small area.

Say what you want about Toine, but he has to be one of the best dribbling big men in the game.

[cfan79]

cfan79,

Our team has been getting outrebounded (especially on the offensive boards) consistently of late. Taking minutes away from two of our toughest rebounders to make room for a soft replacement who lacks both leaping ability (Powe) and muscle (both Powe and Davis) is counterproductive.

I just don't get this as a solution. It's like using gas to put out a fire on the basis it's a liquid.

I think lately we've been outrebounded because KG is readjusting to the lineup. If Toine got Powes minutes he would be just as effective rebounding and more effective offensively.

[Celts17Pride]

If Toine got Powes minutes he would be just as effective rebounding and more effective offensively.

What Antoine have you been watching?

[tombattor]

-= original quote snipped =-
Say what you want about Toine, but he has to be one of the best dribbling big men in the game.

I think this is the most important part of his game to us. Getting Walker will allow us to play House as a backup PG to Rondo and still have House play off the ball, which is his strength.