Pitino - Walker To Meet To Clear Air

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

      Boston Herald       

      Pitino, Walker to clear air soon
      by Steve Bulpett 
      Monday, October 4, 1999
      The Celtics will meet with each other and the media today and hold their 
      first practice tomorrow, but before they ever take to the court, a meeting 
      will take place that likely will be more important than any drill or 
      exhibition game.
      And if things go as Rick Pitino expects when he sits down with Antoine 
      Walker, the Celtics' trip could move from a winding back road to the fast 
      lane on the NBA highway. The coach plans to set some records straight - 
      from both ends of the equation.
      While Pitino will go one-on-one with every player to establish goals and 
      plans, clearly this is one pair that must be in harmony for the Celts to 
      accomplish anything of significance.
      The two did speak this summer after Walker's name came up in trade talk 
      and questions were raised about his offseason conditioning work. The 
      result was positive, with both perhaps realizing that open lines of 
      communication can prevent small matters from growing into problems.
      ``I think it was crucial,'' Pitino said of that first discussion. ``We 
      talked on the phone and I think he got all his frustrations out on the 
      table about his name coming up and all that.
      ``And when he comes in, I'm going to get my frustrations out, too. 
      Everything's going to be put onto the table. Then I'm going to say, `We're 
      on the same team, now let's go out and kick some ass.'
      ``The first time we talked, all I did was listen. I wanted to hear exactly 
      where he was. I said, `OK, Antoine, I'm going to agree with you on all 
      this for now. And when you come in, I'm going to give you my views on your 
      career and where it should be going. Then we're going to go back to our 
      Kentucky days and kill for each other.' ''
      In truth, Walker's future is essentially in his own hands. After saying 
      last season he wanted to slim down this summer and, in his words, be a 
      Scottie Pippen type, the burden and the opportunity are upon him.
      If he is in shape and can impress the coaches with improved shot 
      selection, Walker could step in as the starting small forward. If not, he 
      will crowd the scene at power forward. The fact that people have been 
      leaning toward the latter means Walker must change some minds.
      There was some question as to how much the Celtics wanted Walker, but 
      Pitino sounds as if he's using some perspective on things.
      While he may have wanted him to dive into offseason workouts, the coach is 
      aware that Walker did not head into the break with full health.
      ``Legitimately, he shouldn't have come back and played after the ankle 
      sprain last year,'' Pitino said. ``But he did and he needed time to get it 
      better this summer.
      ``This is a young man with great pride. I expect him to come in here ready 
      to play and get everything he should out of his ability.''
      If Pitino's expectations are met, the Celtics could be in for an 
      interesting season. It starts today but, by collective bargaining rule, 
      all they will be able to do is speak with the media, hold a team meeting 
      and conduct physicals in Waltham.
      The dribbling begins tomorrow morning, with the first exhibition game 
      scheduled for Oct. 13 against Charlotte at the FleetCenter.