Bulpett: Don't Trade Antoine Till You Receive Talent In Return

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@ix.netcom.com>]

Bulpett urges Pitino to have patience in any Walker trade till
his value has stabilized, as in, receiving a star small forward
od shooting guard in a deal...

      Boston Herald

      Haste would be waste for Pitino
      The NBA/by Steve Bulpett 
      Friday, August 6, 1999
      As marriages go, the current union of the Celtics and Antoine Walker is 
      drifting toward the rocks at Boston Light. An ugly breakup that could 
      embarrass both - and scar the family - awaits.
      The only way out of it would appear to be through patience and 
      perspective, qualities that seem in scarce supply around the club these 
      days.
      Unless Rick Pitino and Antoine Walker realize the road goes beyond their 
      gaze of the moment, neither may get what he wants out of this.
      Pitino insists the Celts are not trying to deal away their present 
      captain, but I'm not purchasing that one. And there is ample evidence from 
      around the NBA to back that lack of belief. The Celtics are talking 'Toine 
      in trade. Trust me.
      Meanwhile, Walker insists he wants to be a small forward instead of a 
      power forward - Scottie Pippen instead of Karl Malone, to use his analogy 
      - but one has to question whether he will pull it off. The Celtics 
      certainly are questioning it, and this is a group that moves quickly on 
      its opinion du jour. Club management has done nothing to erase its image 
      as roundball reactionary, executing front-office crossover dribbles that 
      tangle the minds of Celtic followers everywhere.
      The same Antoine Walker upon whom Pitino lavished praise and a maximum 
      allowable contract extension last January is now a guy who breaks plays 
      and changes his game to suit his stats. Seven months ago, Walker was the 
      cornerstone of the franchise. Now people are wondering whether they can 
      ever win with him.
      It's the typical stuff of marriages, except that where most couples get a 
      seven-year itch, the Celts and Walker seem to be scratching every seven 
      months. So in the interest of fidelity, the Herald today unveils its new 
      basketball counseling service. No charge.
      The first advice to both is to choose their next steps wisely. One can 
      assume that Walker is a Celtic today only because the right return has not 
      been found, and the club had best resist any urges to settle its roster by 
      taking less. Selling when a stock is low is folly, and so is parting with 
      star-quality beings in a league with not enough to go around.
      This franchise ended the season with three players who had at least the 
      potential to be magnetic talents - the kind without which you cannot win a 
      title. With the trading of Ron Mercer, they are down to two.
      If Walker is moved, the Celtics had better get one in return. There was a 
      great deal to disagree with in Walker's game last season, but he is still 
      a man who can make plays. And for all the talk of systems, that is still 
      what wins games in June.
      For his part, Walker could not ask for the table to be set any better for 
      his tastes. There is doubt within the club that he can get it done at 
      small forward, but the opportunity to prove people wrong is at hand - if 
      only because his contract and reputation make him tough to trade. With 
      Danny Fortson to do the dirty work, Walker can take a step away from the 
      basket and reintroduce his passing - a skill that makes him a special 
      player when he chooses to employ it.
      Pitino said late yesterday that if Walker is to play the three position, 
      he must take good shots, be a runner (for layups and dunks, not to the 
      3-point line), be in great shape and be able to defend other small 
      forwards.
      ``I'm coming in with a clean slate,'' Pitino said. ``Last year did not 
      happen. I had shock treatment. I don't even remember last year.''
      What should be remembered is that it is easier to tame a lion than to 
      convince a house cat to go on safari. And now is not the time to try to 
      domesticate the Celtic roster. If a true star (shooting guard or small 
      forward) can be found to replace Walker, then move if you wish. If not, 
      then it is not unfair to throw it down to both player and coach.
      The onus is on Antoine Walker to play to his abilities - all of them - and 
      to recognize his leadership duties on and off the floor. And it is, 
      frankly, Rick Pitino's challenge to get it out of him. Neither would have 
      been compensated so well by the franchise if these goals were beyond their 
      reach.
      If they are stuck in wedlock this season, they should make the best of it 
      - realizing that the best (assuming the challenges are met by the two) is 
      almost certainly better than whatever else the Celtics can get for Walker 
      at this time.