Bill Walker earned some minutes

MVP16 · Post #1 » by **MVP16** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 3:18 am

The bright spot in the loss to Miami besides the great play of Leon Powe was the play of Walker. In 14 minutes he had 8 points, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 rebound. He did a very good job of staying within himself and not doing too much. The thing that I like about Walker is that every time that he is out there he has an impact on the game, unlike a guy like Pruitt who you barely notice is out there.

I don't know why Doc has been so reluctant to play Walker this season, but is comfortable in throwing Marbury/Moore out there right away. We have 17 games left in the season, hopefully Walker sees a consistent 14-18 minutes in those games. The guy has too much talent to keep on the bench and we need Pierce fresh for the playoffs.

Avalanche · Post #2 » by **Avalanche** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 3:20 am

I have no idea either, just play the guy for 8-9 minutes a game and give paul some rest, pierce looks exhausted out there and Bill plays with energy, sure he fouls and will occasionally make a rookie mistake but for the most part he had a positive impact

Banks2Pierce · Post #3 » by **Banks2Pierce** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 3:31 am

Haha, I thought he earned minutes in preseason, but who's counting? I agree with you though. Pruitt just hasn't been assertive enough. I think Pruitt might eventually be a solid player, but he is slow in the development process. We need to prepare for the playoffs as if Tony Allen will not come back. There needs to be a wing that can defend some and not completely kill the offense. Walker can do this.

He's one of those guys that could potentially have a great impact on a playoff game. He gets under players' skin and has the capability for a burst of scoring off the bench. Tell me the Garden won't be rocking after one of his thunderous jams in a playoff game. I know it's not about dunking, but he does more and I really want him in the rotation.

Ed Pinkney · Post #4 » by **Ed Pinkney** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 3:34 am

Paul and Ray still played 40 plus minutes after Doc has been banging on about not doing it anymore unitl the playoffs.

It is a joke.

Avalanche · Post #5 » by **Avalanche** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 3:37 am

Ed Pinkney wrote:Paul and Ray still played 40 plus minutes after Doc has been banging on about not doing it anymore unitl the playoffs.

It is a joke.

yeh he really hasnt improved minute management at all, its a concern

although we were severely undermanned tonight, and in foul trouble

MaxwellSmart · Post #6 » by **MaxwellSmart** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 3:55 am

the BRIGHT spot was that nobody else got injured tonight.

SonicYouth34 · Post #7 » by **SonicYouth34** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 5:34 am

Unleash Bill!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joekickass2008 · Post #8 » by **Joekickass2008** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 6:46 am

yeah....but can he wiggle????

Harison · Post #9 » by **Harison** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 10:30 am

I liked Walker on the floor, he did much better job than Marbury (who is strangely playing worse and worse, maybe his body cant handle sudden high load).

Avalanche · Post #10 » by **Avalanche** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 10:35 am

Joekickass2008 wrote:yeah....but can he wiggle????

he could wiggle mid air... then finish with a filthy reverse jam :lol:

Celts17Pride · Post #11 » by **Celts17Pride** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 1:07 pm

I thought Walker played great and earn some more time. I've been a big Pruitt supporter and still think he has a future but right now he is doing nothing with his time. Next game Doc should give Giddens time and play House & Giddens instead of House and Pruitt. Let's see what Giddens can do with Pruitt's time.

cloverleaf · Post #12 » by **cloverleaf** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 5:54 pm

I think Billy's the one who will break out and off of Doc's deep bench through the remainder of the season. (Yes, again because of absolute necessity through injury.)

Giddens is neither quite so direly needed, nor as likely ready. Given therefore that we've got M&M getting acclimated and Billy needing the time, I just don't think there's going to be patience for Giddens as well. Billy and the vets are enough for Doc to get worked into the rotation (with Gabe going back to being a spare on the deep bench) once Rondo's back.

Prophet_C · Post #13 » by **Prophet_C** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 5:58 pm

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wireta ... rs_future/

CeltsfanSinceBirth · Post #14 » by **CeltsfanSinceBirth** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 6:06 pm

The thing that's nice about Walker is what Beasley said about him - you don't have to run plays for him to get his points. And if I'm not mistaken, most of Bill's baskets last night came out of being in the right place at the right time, whether it was him getting a put-back, or him cutting to an open part of the floor.

I won't go so far as to say Doc is wrong for not playing the kid. However, I will say that I'm not scared out of my mind when he is on the floor. Let's hope we see more of the kid in these next few weeks while Scal and TA are out.

Post #15 » by **I love heinsohn** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 5:11 pm

Hopefully this will be like Gomes back in his rookie season. For whatever reason, Doc never let Gomes get PT until about February of 2006 and then the guy played like a borderline all star down the stretch. Doc just doesn't like to give rookies time unless something forces his hand...

LongTimeFan · Post #16 » by **LongTimeFan** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 5:48 pm

I also thought Walker played very well. I really can't fault the way the Celtics bring players along. This kid's a second round pick that we got for cash. Nobody wanted him. In six months he's worked his way into the rotation. It's hard for me to complain about that.

There was some talk about sending him to Europe for a year as I reacall.

JMillott · Post #17 » by **JMillott** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:53 am

He should absolutely be playing 10-20 minutes a night the rest of the way behind Pierce.

1. We can't ride Pierce into the ground knowing he is going to have to deal with LeBron at both ends at some point of the playoffs.

2. At some point Pierce is going to get in foul trouble against Bron and Walker is the only other guy on the rostar physically capable of defending him.

3. The kid has talent, more then enough to help this team actually win games.

TheSheriff · Post #18 » by **TheSheriff** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:29 pm

Walker showed a lot of hustle last night, which is what coaches love, so hopefully he will get some more playing time.

on a side not stripping Gasol under the basket might have impressed me more than he thunderous dunk. Gasol has seven inches on him.

BTW does anyone have the video on youtube of the walker dunk or the behind the back pass from rondo to Powe?

Havlicek17 · Post #19 » by **Havlicek17** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 4:40 pm

I am excited to see Walker get some playing time. He was a steal in last years draft. Just like Powe, Danny watched him drop because of his second knee injury, and got him in the 2nd round. Buying him/the pick from the Wizards was a brilliant move. The kid can score, and he's got an edge about him that I just love.

This team is all about playing solid team defense. As I see it, Walker has a window of opportunity because of injuries to establish himself in the rotation, but he's going to have to show that he can handle the defensive rotations and play well on defense to not get squeezed out when TA, Scal, and others get back. Playing good defense and getting under the opposing players skin will be the key. If he can keep getting better on defense, we may see Walker stay in the rotation at the #3 spot. If not, it won't matter if he goes off for 30, he will be on the bench when the veterans return.

billfromBoston · Post #20 » by **billfromBoston** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 4:51 pm

Havlicek17 wrote:I am excited to see Walker get some playing time. He was a steal in last years draft. Just like Powe, Danny watched him drop because of his second knee injury, and got him in the 2nd round. Buying him/the pick from the Wizards was a brilliant move. The kid can score, and he's got an edge about him that I just love.

This team is all about playing solid team defense. As I see it, Walker has a window of opportunity because of injuries to establish himself in the rotation, but he's going to have to show that he can handle the defensive rotations and play well on defense to not get squeezed out when TA, Scal, and others get back. Playing good defense and getting under the opposing players skin will be the key. If he can keep getting better on defense, we may see Walker stay in the rotation at the #3 spot. If not, it won't matter if he goes off for 30, he will be on the bench when the veterans return.

..exactly...Walker has an opportunity to stick, but its up to him to show he can contribute by executing, not just putting up some nice hustle stats - when the team is healthy again it'll be the players that execute correctly that get on the court...