Re: Walker/Pitino talk... Was a lot of posts...

[j.hironaka@unesco.org]

Nice argument, IMO.   I'm just wondering if anyone out there can confirm
whether Walker looked 38 pounds over his normal playing weight anytime
during the training camp (in the first public scrimmages, or when he signed
his contract extension, for example), before we all start treating a Dan
Shaughnessy inuendo as fact.

Maybe he was 38 pounds over his college playing weight (224 pounds)? I do
know that Pitino asked him to try to bulk up to 240+ pounds during the
offseason. He's presently listed at 245 pounds. My guess is that he was
probably overweight, but that the number in today's paper was over-inflated
for effect. Any thoughts? When I was 22, I couldn't gain 40 pounds in that
time period (6 months) if you paid me a million bucks.

But I do agree with the assertion that Walker is at some sort of a
"crossroads". Basically, he's having a lousy season. Last year, he IMO
deservedly beat out guys like Webber, Shareef, Keith Van Horn, Rod
Strickland and many others to win an All Star berth. After all, he was
averaging close to 11 rebounds per game, and his team was playing well
coming into the All Star break. He finished second in the league in double
doubles ahead of Shaq, Alonzo, Barkley, Kemp, Baker, Ewing, Rodman and other
big name players.

Right now, Walker is no longer a candidate for any near future All Star
games. He'll get to future All Star games not by scoring more but rather by
scoring less (i.e. playing within himself) while rebounding and passing
more. I think he's at least a couple of years away from being a worthy All
Star candidate again.

Judging by Pitino's quote today, it's going to be either Pierce or Walker
who could get traded in July, since RP lists Mercer as his hardest worker.
If someone has to take the fall for Tim "Pinkie" Floyd outcoaching Rick
Pitino on our own parquet, it's certainly not going to be Il Duce himself.

*****

Jim Hill wrote:

> I think the Globe was right on.  As is Pitino.  And this is not to bash
> Walker as I do think he can be a great player IF he listens to Pitino.
> Walker came in 38 lbs. overweight?  This is the "gym rat" who had
> convinced Pitino that he was in shape and working on his game during the
> lock out.  BULLS**T !!  His homeboys speak of him whining and talking
> the talk out in Chicago during the lockout about how good he is etc...
> Just like in camp when he was pissing off his teammates by calling
> phantom fouls during scrimmages.
>
> Harper gave him the "choke sign" because that is what Walker did.  Plain
> and simple.  The whole game. Most of the season in fact.  You think the
> other players in the NBA don't know it?
>
> There is more than 20 players in history that "should have been" great
> in the NBA that never made it.  It was never the lack of skills. Or the
> lack of talk.  It was the lack of brains.  And it was the lack of
> effort.
>
> I think that Walker is at a crossroads in his short career.
>
> Pitino made him an All-Star last year.  (Walker may have been on the
> court, but be realistic)  Pitino makes him a Captain.  You think Walker
> would be a Captain on any other team?  Walker states that as a "veteran
> All-Star" and even though he is the team Captain, he doesn't need to
> attend voluntary practices and never will!!.  Walker states that He
> wasn't called by Pitino "Personally to attend the practices".   Grow
> up.  If I had a 23 year old son who said this garbage I would tell him
> he's not a child anymore. So stop acting like it.
>
> I can buy into the fact that the TEAM is young and they lose against
> veteran teams.  But these guys are not that young as people.  These guys
> know what their supposed to do as far as practice and conditioning.  How
> many 23 year olds are in the workplace?  Do they work at their job?  The
> ones who succeed do.  The ones who don't fail.  Until they wake up
> anyway.
>
> Pitino received assurances that Walker was in playing shape during the
> lockout.  Walker comes in 38 lbs. overweight and obviously out of
> shape.  Pitino gives Walker the max. contract as a commitment from the
> Celtics.  Walker can't play with the big dogs in the power forward spot
> because he is not in condition.  This is the pay back?  This is how
> Walker shows his thanks to Pitino?  Come on.
>
> I think that Pitino deserves better from Walker.  The Celt's deserve
> better.  Walker deserves better.  His teammates deserve better.  The
> fans deserve better.
>
> I am waiting to hear that Walker went to Pitino and asked for his help
> in becoming an "All-Star" again.  That he has made a commitment to
> Pitino and his teammates to play and act like he wants to become one
> again.  And then does it.  If Webber can do it, then Walker can.  If
> anyone suggested to get Webber for the Celtics last year, list members
> would have laughed.  What about this year?
>
> Until he goes to Pitino and asks for his help, Pitino should, IMHO,
> seriously consider finding someone who will.
>
> I think Walker is self-destructing in front of our eyes.  I stated in my
> post after the Bull's game that I give Walker credit for wanting the
> ball at the end of the game.  Even though he did choke when he got on
> the free throw line, he showed leadership by getting free to get the
> ball after the boo's.  Leadership is important to be a star.  Leadership
> without commitment is valueless.
>
> This behavior "problem" is bigger then basketball.  This is the
> crossroads of, from all accounts, a fine person with a once promising
> career.
>
> Thanks for anyone taking the time to read this.  I hope Walker can turn
> this around.  I hope to watch him play to the best of his ability for
> many years.  I don't care if he becomes an All-Star again.  He has to
> much talent/desire (though misguided) to become "what might have been".
>
> <Jim