Walker

[GuyClinch@xxxxxxx]

> That's pure b.s. I don't believe that he is rated higher than what he 
> deserves. I think that most people recognize 'Toine for what he is. He 
> definitely deserves to be an all-star. If not, what 2 or 3 power forwards 
> belongs in there ahead of him?
> 

Like many Antoine backers I think people tend to equate talent with actual 
performance. There are many "average" talents who outplay Antoine on a 
regular basis nowadays. On a day to day basis these players out play him. 
Twoine can rise above and whip these guys on occasion, but often he throws up 
4-17 disasters more often they do.

A few things about Twoine...that really bring him down. He doesn't defend 
well at his postion, and he doesn't do your typical PF things as well as he 
should. I think his injuries have really bothered him defensively and on the 
boards this year.  He is carrying too much weight IMHO. 

On the plus he does some guard stuff pretty well for a PF...but it is unclear 
how much that helps the team actually. Sure he racks up assists but then he 
racks up turnovers as well. He hits threes but accordingly rebounds less. One 
poster claimed that he just "cherry-picks" the glorious parts of the game and 
ignores the rest. 
Sadly, I don't think this is that far from being true. 

I think a guy like Tony Battie is much more of a team player... Battie can 
hit three pointers..seriously. He just refrains from taking them for the good 
of the team.
Anyway on to the comparison:


n the East:

Brian Grant - better defender, shoots a better percentage, runs the court 
better..
Kenyon Martin - see above but a far more athletic player then Grant..

In the Central 

Sharif Adur-Raheem - Folks will disagree here..but he does again rebound 
better shoot a better percentage and again is more athletic. This is more of 
a toss-up compared to Twoine..but he is better then people think.
Ben Wallace - sometimes credited with playing center, but often Cliff is the 
true center on that team.
Jermaine O' Neal - I don't think I have have to argue this one. He is clearly 
superior.

It's out west of course that he really falls short..but luckily for him he 
isn't in the Western conference,
Out there Dirk, KG, Gasol, Duncan, Brand, Wallace, Webber, Amare, Malone.

This will come as a horrible insult to most Twoine backers but its not clear 
he is in the top ten by position in the game. You have seven or eight guys 
better out west and 3 - 5 guys better out east. 

Walker is a strange nut though...and he shows more then enough skills to 
warrant all-star selection... but his talent doesn't translate into actual 
performance on a nightly basis. He should be a top five guy. I think he has 
actually regressed though compared to last year.

It's also amazing how he manages to stay on the verge of being in NBA shape 
without actually ever getting there, IMHO.

Pete