Re: Bothered by Walker

[Joe Hironaka <j.hironaka@unesco.org>]

Hi Mishra:

I'd point out, also, that Antoine Walker is a total wimp compared to Dave
Cowens, who was a genuinely dangerous guy once he entered any basketball
game. I remember his face would get so bright red just from his sheer fury
on the court. That's why he'd get those 18+ rebound games against the likes
of Kareem etc. despite being more than a full forearm shorter.

I remember reading an anecdote (I never saw this game) in which that
scrappy NJ guard Mike Newlin managed to draw a charge from Cowens by
flopping theatrically to the floor. Totally overcome with rage, Cowens
sprinted the length of the court and slugged the bewildered Mike Newlin
full force in the face. Floored him. Then he turned to the referee and
said: "That last foul? That was a fake. You better damn well call this
one." He was a nice guy off the court, but possessed by demons on it. I
remember he came to Kobe, Japan, when I was a kid and he had the same
thorough decency and magnetic charisma  that Antoine reportedly has around
young people.

Like Cowens, you know what you're getting with Antoine Walker. Antoine is
diehard Celtic gym rat who plays furiously. He performed best last year
against the best players and teams (like the Fakers). He's a guy who takes
Celtics losses as personally as we do. IMO, he's going to be a very
remarkable player for the next 15 years provided that he doesn't have to
shoulder the whole load. It could go either way, but I'm confident of that.
He's only entering his chronological rookie year.


****
Shailendra K Mishra wrote:

> Let's then trade Walker for Travis Knight, it will be great for team in
> general no physical play, nobody will get hurt during practice and
> everything will be fine. - Mishra
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Neal R Hoffman <nealh@umich.edu>
>
> >Does it bother anyone else that our current injury plague is due to
> >Walker?  I am all for playing hard at practice, but not at the cost of
> >both Minor and Bowen.
> >
> >I guess this means we get to see more of Paul.
> >
> >I say make Mercer the captian and put AW in his place.
> >
> >Neal
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >