Mike Szostak is the Providence version of Peter May. He's had almost
nothing good to say about the Celtics, and especially Walker, for years.
But even he now acknowledges that Antoine is trying to do the right
thing.
2.5.2000 00:45:12
CELTICS
It's time to stifle the boos and give Walker his due
By MIKE SZOSTAK
Journal Sports Writer
BOSTON -- Let's agree on this much right away.
The Celtics beat the Nets last night, 100-95, because Tony Battie made
a huge 14-point contribution off the bench and Calbert Cheaney posted
season highs in rebounds (8) and assists (6), but they would not have
won without Antoine Walker
Sure, Walker didn't have his best offensive game. He scored only 10
points. But when he returned to the floor with 8:07 to play in an 82-76
game, he proceeded to do the little things that great players do when
they
don't have their shot dropping.
Walker rebounded, defended, passed, drove to the basket and kicked
the ball back outside to the open man. He set up Dana Barros for a
three-pointer that cut New Jersey's lead to 86-84 and then followed with
a spin-and-pass to Battie for a slam dunk that tied the score and
brought
16,540 FleetCenter fans to their feet.
``Antoine did a super job coming back in the game and finding Dana
Barros,'' said a drained coach Rick Pitino, who compared the Celtics'
gritty play last night with that of his Providence College team in 1986
and
1987.
When Walker left the court after the final buzzer, he wore a smile as
bright as a new moon and heard cheers of appreciation instead of jeers
of derision.
Such is life for this 6-foot-9 lightning rod.
When things weren't going well last night, which was most of the first
three quarters, Walker was the only Celtic booed for missing a shot.
Typical.
Paul Pierce missed a free throw and a three-point shot, but no one at
the
FleetCenter booed.
Adrian Griffin missed three free throws in the first half, but nobody
jeered.
Pierce missed a fast-break slam dunk on a pretty drop pass from
Walker, and all that was heard was a collective groan. He missed
another free throw. Nothing.
Barros lost the ball on a driving layup at the end of the third quarter.
Early in the fourth, he threw a bad pass and then missed three
consecutive three-pointers after defensive stops or offensive rebounds.
The crowd's reaction? Sympathetic groans.
But let Walker brick a free throw, or, worse, a three-pointer, and the
FleetFanatics are merciless in their booing barrage.
Hey, Celtics Nation, how about giving Walker a break?
Yes, he misses a lot of free throws. And he launches some treys he
would probably like to have back. And talks trash. And cries to
referees.
But this much remains indisputable. Antoine Walker is one of the two
best players the Boston Celtics have. He leads the team in scoring, as
he
has since his rookie season in 1996-97. He leads them in rebounding, as
he has most of his career. He plays hard. He plays hurt. He plays all
the
time.
However, Walker is not Larry Bird, Robert Parish or Kevin McHale,
and every time he steps on the parquet floor he pays the price.
Wednesday night against the Miami Heat was the perfect example.
Walker stepped behind the three-point line in the left corner, fired a
potential game-winner and missed. Boston lost, 105-103.
Never mind that Walker scored 35 points and played 47 minutes.
Disgruntled fans on the way out of the building complained about his
four
missed free throws down the stretch and about his stepping back for a
trey on that last shot. And all day Thursday, dimwit callers to area
talk
jocks crucified Walker. Why did he take the last shot? Why a three?
Why not Pierce?
Well, those 25-watt light bulbs either didn't know or conveniently
forgot
that Pierce did take a shot with about 8 seconds left and missed. That
Griffin got the long rebound on the right, spotted Walker wide open on
the left baseline and rifled a pass to him. That Walker was obviously
not
the first option. And that there wasn't a Miami player within several
feet
of him. And that having played two close games in two nights, the
Celtics
were running on fumes and didn't need an overtime.
Pitino even defended Walker in his post-game remarks.
Walker, to his credit, dismissed the boos, shouldered the blame for the
errant trey and promised to work on his free throws. Thursday, he took
100 after practice and made 80. Incidentally, his 69.8 free throw
percentage is a career high. And he made all four of his freebies last
night.
Last night, Walker's all-around play in the last 8 minutes made the
difference.
``He was going 1-on-1 with the sole purpose of finding Dana Barros,''
Pitino said. ``He knew that when he would spin, if he protected the
basketball, he would find Dana. That was his sole purpose. That's an
incredibly bright young man.''
Walker is maturing as a player. As a rookie, he would have taken the
three himself and if he made it, danced the Walker Wiggle. Now, Pitino
is counting him to play smarter basketball.
``I think he wants to win,'' Pitino said. ``In the old days with 'Toine,
you
could see if he's not in the game, the other team's coming back, he
could
have a little bit of a face on. Now he's the biggest cheerleader. . . .
He's
just been great the whole time, and I'm very proud of him. I recruited
him
from Mount Carmel High School. I've seen him grow and grow as a
basketball player, and more important I've seen him grow as a person.
I'm very proud of him because in all facets of his game he has
concentrated hard. He wants to get better. He wants to win, and he's
doing it. He's getting it done.''
Here's how much Walker has grown and improved. He accepted the
Nets' double teaming and he looked for others.
``When I went back in the game we were down six, and I didn't want to
mess up what we had,'' Walker said. ``I wanted to get back on the fly,
and if I could get close to the basket, attack the basket. If they were
going to stop me, I'd have to pass it back out.
``In the fourth quarter, I got to the middle and tried to find a couple
of
guys, just trying to make the plays. And Dana . . . Dana never misses
four in a row. Not with good looks like that. I'd bet any amount of
money that he won't miss four in a row. So I found him for the shot, and
then I got in the middle of the line and got Tony the easy bucket, and
we
started to play the basketball we're capable of playing.''
Walker certainly played the kind of basketball he is capable of playing.
So what do you say? The next time he tosses up a brick, give him a
break.
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