Bill Walker: 2nd Round Steal

by Jeff Clark on Oct 7, 2008 7:51 AM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

Bill Walker is still getting praise from Doc and just about anyone talking about the Celtics. From Steve Bulpett:

While the young guys continue to have issues, Bill Walker is emerging from that pack.
"They’re all behind, but they should be," Rivers said. "Billy’s better because he’s used to playing the 3. He attacks the basket. He’ll live on the foul line. We’ve got to work on his handle a little bit, but if he can catch off the cuts, he’s going to live on the foul line."
As for his outside shot, the coach said, "It’s better than I thought it was, but he has to improve it.
"I tell you, he’s good. Billy listens so well. You tell him something, he tries to do it. He’ll come ask you. He’s been great. He’s not your typical rookie that thinks he’s got it figured out already. He’s been a pleasant surprise.
"He would have gone early if he was healthy. I think he would have been mid-first (round) to definitely low first. But everyone was scared of his knee, and we were clearly in a position to take the chance."

Does anyone else notice a trend here? JR Giddens was picked where we had our own selection but the better player so far is a guy Ainge saw slipping down the board and traded for on draft night. Pruitt was our pick last year but Ainge saw Big Baby slipping down the board and went out and got him. Two years ago we traded our pick to the Blazers, but Danny saw Rajon Rondo slipping down the board and picked him up at number 21. (by the way, Leon Powe was another guy that slipped and Ainge traded for on draft night)

Call me crazy, but I'm almost happy that we don't have a first round pick next year. I think Danny does better when he sees a talented player dropping that he can pick up for a good value. As long as there are teams out there willing to sell 2nd rounders, Ainge will have the opportunity to find guys that should have been first rounders.

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Can he play the 4 spot too? Cause if he can, maybe Miles is in danger too

by greenwise on Oct 7, 2008 8:00 AM EDT reply actions

Danny owns the second round. Ryan Gomes, Leon Powe, Big Baby Davis are all legit NBA players. I don’t think any general manager in the league has found more serviceable players in the second round than Ainge. I fully expect Walker to be another one.

by JohnK70 on Oct 7, 2008 8:07 AM EDT reply actions

Maybe if JR would have come to Waltham as early as Bill did, he’d be emerging from the pack as well?

by Mon on Oct 7, 2008 8:10 AM EDT reply actions

He is only 6’6". I doubt if Doc will play him at the 4, but he could be challenging Tony for the backup 3 spot and be Pose’s replacement meaning Tony will back up the 2 which leaves little time for J.R. this year. Miles, will also battle for minutes at the 3 and 4, but with Powe and BBD there also it could be quite a challenge. Leon will most likely back up 5 with some 4, BBD more 4 as POB is only a 5

by mainevent on Oct 7, 2008 8:15 AM EDT reply actions

The top picks are the safe picks, the ones slipping have some question marks. Wasn’t Gerald Green a slipper as well? Walker’s knock is that he might have some injury problems. He’s recovered from that last one. Hopefully he can continue to be healthy. Baby’s issue is his upside. He is not the tallest for his position. In that regard he is unconventional. Going with a guy like that can be a risk. Though guys like Barkley come around every so often, they are not common. Rajon’s issue is his shot, but he has made some significant progress on that. I am very excited about Walker. It sounds like he has the body, the temperament, and the work-ethic needed. If he could become our Maxiell, I’d be thrilled.

by GreenBalls on Oct 7, 2008 8:27 AM EDT reply actions

Gerald slipped as well, but he was picked with the pick we had. That wasn’t a case where Ainge said “we have to get him” it was a case where he said “he’s the best guy left on the board” – there seems to be a difference with Ainge.

by Jeff Clark on Oct 7, 2008 8:37 AM EDT reply actions

Any thought on if the success in the second round is because of the lower expectations? When we draft a high pick, everyone wants a the player to become the next Pierce, but when they turn into a role player or a bench player it is a huge disappointment.

Not sure where I was going with this, but you get the idea…

by RickyD Fan on Oct 7, 2008 8:38 AM EDT reply actions

There must be a move or two here…if Tony, Walker and Powe establish themselves as the backups for the Big Three then what is the playing time for Miles, Giddens, Baby for example? what are Scal and Pruitt’s roles? Trade coming for a center?

by greenwise on Oct 7, 2008 8:39 AM EDT reply actions

Guys, the battle for minutes is a season-long proposition. Let’s not operate under the assumption that anything is etched in stone. I’m very glad to see Walker come on strong early, but its a long season and there is plenty of time for all the players to improve and move up the pecking order…

..that being said, enjoy Walker during the pre-season, because I don’t expect him to see much action until Dec/Jan or whenever the team feels comfortable with him on both ends of the court. They still have to work him into the offense and he’s got some older players ahead of him…patience is key here…but in a couple of seasons, watch out…

by BillfromBoston on Oct 7, 2008 9:07 AM EDT reply actions

true enough BFB, we didn’t see Baby or Powe much in their rookie seasons until later in the year – I expect to see a similar growth patter from Walker

by Jeff Clark on Oct 7, 2008 9:19 AM EDT reply actions

That news on Bill is encouraging, especially given the status of Perk.

by mcpu40 on Oct 7, 2008 9:32 AM EDT reply actions

While I’d like to agree with you Jeff and BFB, the fact is there is an open spot for that backup 3 position, and if BW is as ‘mature’ as the coaches and fellow players state then he may see more action than you think early on. It has to be someone. While I like TA, I am still not sold that he can be the person to step in and take command of that spot. Miles is still a work in progress although in an ideal situation, his length as the 3 would be a huge advantage with Leon or BB as the backup 4. Walker is mature beyond his years. As others have posted, he was just as vital as MB to that K-state team last year. He has the right attitude, the physical abilities and the athleticism to make very early contributions. The only thing that ‘may’ keep him from playing early on is Doc’s reluctance to play rookies a lot. In Rondo’s first year I thought he’d be better than Dwest or ST running the point and it took till late in the season for him to really get the PT.

by mainevent on Oct 7, 2008 9:37 AM EDT reply actions

Anyone who didn’t see it should check back to Walker’s interviews when he was drafted. Very mature, bright and focused. And he’s only turning 21 this week. Sounds to me like Giddens and Miles are still struggling to put out a selfless, complete and heady effort. And his best position is the one with the biggest backup opening. I think TA and House get the bulk of the guard backup minutes, and both while Miles is serving his suspension and after he’s played his 10 games there’s a very good opportunity for Walker to gain experience and finesse. I say he and POB are both in Doc’s core rotation come playoffs time—this year.

by clover on Oct 7, 2008 9:58 AM EDT reply actions

The backup 3 is open right now, but Doc could easily go with a rotation of Pierce/Ray/Eddie/Tony and use Ray at the 3 as well—it all depends on what Doc’s comfort level is with all the new guys…Doc may be a little more open to experimentation early this year as he doesn’t have to prove anything with this team and may be more focused on development early on to establish a bench—he already knows what the starters are about.

Still, Scalabrine is always an option at the 3 for defense and floor spacing, as much as we all dislike him for his lack of production, he is intelligent and solid. The team could do worse for 10-12 mpg…

I think Miles and Walker are in a battle, but its not exclusively theirs to win or lose…there are a number of combinations that could cover the backup 3 besides these two…

by BillfromBoston on Oct 7, 2008 9:58 AM EDT reply actions

I agree with mainevent 100. Eddie isn’t playing “minute one” at the 3, nor Ray Allen, and Air Scalabrine is too slow (except against 10 of 3s). TA could get some burn against the smaller 3s, but there’s an opening there, and my money is on Medical Bil.

by Eeyore III on Oct 7, 2008 10:46 AM EDT reply actions

IMO Scals is too slow to play 3. Its Walker or Miles. Keep in mind they’d be playing behind Pierce so we’re not talking about a lot of minutes.

by GreenBalls on Oct 7, 2008 10:48 AM EDT reply actions

Who else besides Doc has been raving about Walker? And what have they been saying?

by theham on Oct 7, 2008 11:41 AM EDT reply actions

everything about walker sounds good except his knees. that’s why they won’t rush him- an ounce of prevention. ray and pp won’t be here forever.

by nazzbo on Oct 7, 2008 11:45 AM EDT reply actions

I thought Phoenix drafted Rondo. How did the Celtics acquire him?

by ballerblogger on Oct 7, 2008 12:36 PM EDT reply actions

we basically bought the Phoenix pick – something to do with moving Brian Grant’s contract around

by Jeff Clark on Oct 7, 2008 12:39 PM EDT reply actions

I see…

by ballerblogger on Oct 7, 2008 1:25 PM EDT reply actions

With Miles out the first 10 games, I’d say Walker will have plenty of opportunity to claim the role early in the season.

by arambone on Oct 7, 2008 1:38 PM EDT reply actions

We haven’t played a pre-season game. What’s the rush? The HOF would look much different if we just talked about guys who have good practices.

We have lots of good and potentially good players at all positions. We’re light at the five and that’s it.

A typical Doc rotation is going to change continually, and even in the playoffs.

by amenhotep04 on Oct 7, 2008 3:26 PM EDT reply actions

Remember that skinny tall guy from So Carolina two years ago (Brandon Wallace???). He looked in summer league like a keeper and not only did not make the worst team in the league, no one else picked him up. Tomorrow starts pre-season play and our own lying eyes will get a chance to see. Putting him ahead of this guy or behind that guy without seeing him, and knowing that there is psychology to Doc’s comments (ie lighting Giddens fire by praising Walker etc), makes these comments all a little premature.
It’s very exciting to think Danny may have found value in the worst 1st (Giddens) or 2nd round (Walker), trash pile (OBryant) or injury waiver list (Miles) but lets crack a beer and watch some pre-season and really discuss later.

by Wildblu1 on Oct 7, 2008 3:41 PM EDT reply actions