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Antoine Walker: Free Agent


Antoine_walker2_medium

Sorry, I just can't resist.  Floodgates open.  Let 'er rip.

Antoine Walker is going to be a free agent soon.  We need power forward help.  Whaddayasay?  3rd time's a charm?

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Antoine Walker found himself in a familiar stance Sunday, offering farewells while surrounded by Heat players.

Dealt 14 months ago by the Heat to the Timberwolves, and then traded in the offseason by Minnesota to Memphis, Walker said Sunday he expects to receive a buyout today from the Grizzlies.

"Hopefully, with this buyout, the opportunity is going to be there for me," Walker said before Sunday's game against the Heat. "Maybe I can go and talk to a few teams and hopefully move on to a better situation very soon."

After being caught in youth movements on his last two teams, Walker said showing, at 32, that he still can be a contributor is his goal.

"I just want to play," he said. "I've been fortunate enough to make a lot of money in this league, but I want to play the games."
Poll
Would you want Antoine Walker back one more time?
Yes
821 votes
No
799 votes

1620 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 49 comments |

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Comments

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Great for Toine

Hopefully there’s some team out there – certainly not the C’s – he can help. Best of lucks to him.

by cordobes on Dec 15, 2008 8:35 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

LOL, since when did we need a power forward?

by Brickowski on Dec 15, 2008 8:49 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Is there a lack of better things to write about?

by Reyquila on Dec 15, 2008 8:49 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

bring him back and cut Scal, at least Toine can hit a three now and then

by hpantazo on Dec 15, 2008 8:57 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

yes, I'm blatantly pushing buttons

there’s no more polarizing topic in the world of Celtics basketball than Antoine Walker

I couldn’t resist

"Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." Michael Scott

by Jeff Clark on Dec 15, 2008 8:58 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Bulls?

I think he’d be a decent vet presence for a young team. Maybe the Bulls. But the C’s don’t need a 32 yr old outside shooter who doesn’t play D.

by LuckyNumber07 on Dec 15, 2008 9:01 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

We don't need a PF

but Toine is more like a SF now, imo. The only way I would want him back is if he took Scal’s spot. I wouldn’t cut anyone else on the roster for Toine. Also, he would still get only the few minutes Scal would get, if any. Other than that, I don’t think we need him.

by Bankshot on Dec 15, 2008 9:04 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Agree Except...

He isn’t even as good as Scal at this point. Scal at least can still play solid defense. He is shooting 47% on the year in his three point attempts, and more importantly doesn’t force them. He shoots the wide open one in the flow of the offense, but looks for a better open players shot first. Antoine was my favorite C the first few years he was in the league, but he isn’t even close to the same player. If we want someone to come in and jack up shots and play no D we can always activate Sam I AM.

by EJPLAYA on Dec 15, 2008 9:47 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Scal is definitely better than Toine…

by nba is the worst on Dec 15, 2008 6:30 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

not what i had in mind

by tommyfan on Dec 15, 2008 9:38 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

yuck .. ugh no

Tony Allen > Dearly departed JP

by Birdbrain on Dec 15, 2008 9:39 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Interesting 77 yes votes...

Tony Allen > Dearly departed JP

by Birdbrain on Dec 15, 2008 9:42 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

honestly

if we had unlimited space on the bench, I wouldn’t mind giving him a go for old times sake

however, there are potential options out there that I would much prefer, like Mutumbo, Joe Smith, and PJ Brown to name a few

"Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." Michael Scott

by Jeff Clark on Dec 15, 2008 10:01 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

If we are just signing him for OLD TIMES SAKE...

…why not see if The Chief wants to suit it up?! He is a big man and probably wouldn’t be any worse than Antoine at this point. Face it. Toine has nothing left in the tank. If he can’t play for the TWOlves or the Grizz, then he sure can’t find minutes on a Championship team.

by EJPLAYA on Dec 15, 2008 10:13 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

for the right price.

why not?

God bless and good night!

by BrickJames on Dec 15, 2008 10:06 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Because...

…he’d be our worst player and plays at a position to which we already have plenty of options. Maybe he’s better than POB, but that’s all.

by cordobes on Dec 15, 2008 11:20 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

What an awful way to begin a Monday.

by amenhotep04 on Dec 15, 2008 11:06 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

anyone else...

surprised by how close the voting is?

"Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." Michael Scott

by Jeff Clark on Dec 15, 2008 11:12 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

no sadly

Tony Allen > Dearly departed JP

by Birdbrain on Dec 15, 2008 11:32 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Antoine Walker isn’t good enough to be a rotation player on this year’s team. No lateral mobility on defense, no hops, terrible shot selection…the list goes on.

by Brickowski on Dec 15, 2008 11:13 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

While were at it bring back Pitino !

Please, side from the that he has left in him, there is no need for side show!

As Rick Pitino once said, Kevin McHale is walking through that door, Robert Parrish isn’t walking through that door, and neither is Larry Bird

So if Antoine Walker happens to roll through that door, we ought to roll him out the back door!

by Ancient Red on Dec 15, 2008 11:17 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

ooops

There is no room for the oompa loompa wiggle anymore

by Ancient Red on Dec 15, 2008 11:19 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Nope.

Thanks but no thanks.
The guy can neither defend or rebound – which is what this current Celtics team is all about.
He’s def not an ‘Unbuntu’ type of player.

by teaguelife on Dec 15, 2008 11:48 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Oh noes!

Why, Jeff? Why?

Now I’m going to be paranoid for the rest of the day that this might actually happen.

Please, no… No more mentions of ‘the player who shall not be named’!

by a tommy point on Dec 15, 2008 11:50 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Don't Need HIm

Agree with most comments. a, Don’t really need a PF. b. Don’t need another end-of-bench veteran. Got one – Sam c. Scal haters watched pre-season only I guess. He’s played pretty well.
Antoine should head for Sacramento, Washington or the Clips. They need help. I’ll always like him but this team has moved way past his game

by Wildblu1 on Dec 15, 2008 12:20 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

employee no. 8 did his time well here and then again and now, no more. he doesn’t fit a need.

by nazzbo on Dec 15, 2008 12:50 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

And this is what I have to say to that :

HINDSIGHT…20/20.

I mean if you sit there and tell me that you knew that a HIGH SCHOOLER would turn out the way he did, then I have a bridge in Manhattan I’d like to sell you.

by PSquared on Dec 16, 2008 10:11 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Did someone say my name? Come on guys, seriously I’d be a great fit!! If you’re worried about my defense, you’ve got KG bossing me around. I swear I’d bring great chemistry to the team. I’ll be on the bench joking with Paul and reminiscing the Dynamic Duo days and pretending to be a part of the big four and everybody can laugh about me trying to fit in. I have nothing but the world of respect for Danny Ainge but…oh excuse me…OK yeah my agent says I cannot comment any further on him.

I’ll wear my number 8 jersey again and honestly, I’m sure a lot of you have my jerseys tuckered away in your closet, just gathering dust. Think of the environment! You ought to re-use it.

If any, we can use me to amuse you Internet people for a little while. I swear I’ll drive instead of launching 3’s, play defense, and contribute to the chemistry. Send me home the day I don’t do it!

by Employee8 on Dec 15, 2008 1:02 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

Employee8, why don’t you call the Lakers, so that you can teach them all about Me-buntu.

by Brickowski on Dec 15, 2008 1:24 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

The walker wiggle is more like the truffle shuffle at this point.

by Brendan on Dec 15, 2008 1:50 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

No. He needs to go to Cleveland.

by RebusRankin on Dec 15, 2008 2:16 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

We can only hope.

Tony Allen > Dearly departed JP

by Birdbrain on Dec 15, 2008 4:02 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Christmas comes early!

I’d be thrilled, Boston is where Walker should end his career. The arguments against are typically overstated, particularly when weighed against other options – Marbury, Mutombo? – or against the bench minutes available.

Come home, Antoine…

by The Walker Wiggle on Dec 15, 2008 2:39 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I love Antoine...

…it’s kind of like an unconditional love with him. He may not have been the best player but he cared and he LOVED being a Celtic.

I wish he could come back but there really is just no place for him.

by pf139040 on Dec 15, 2008 3:00 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

everyone is saying how much this team has a glaring hole at backup SF. TA is good but undersized, scal can cover 3’s and 4’s but is usually too slow to cover really good SF’s. i ‘d love to have antoine back, it’d be perfect for him to come here, play a small role off the bench, win a championship, and end his career the way he should, AS A CELTIC.

by xmuscular ghandix on Dec 15, 2008 3:36 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Antoine can’t defend and is a gunner. We don’t need him.

by RebusRankin on Dec 15, 2008 4:20 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Keystone Cops

At this point in time, provided that we don’t find a reasonably suitable backup 3, then we can use him when teams have adapted to the flow of the C’s game.

What’ll happen is that teams’ defense will be clogging passing lane and looking for a point forward to swing the ball around to Ray Ray, KG, or Sam, however, no one will be able to anticipate ’Toine’s game. He could make a great pass or he could eat the clock and jack up a 3. And if our guys prep for it, we can get the offensive rebound and keep the play in motion. That’s the nature of the new C’s. Opposing teams will have no idea what’s going on with Walker on the court. Realize, that’s how the 3 stooges have made it all those decades ago.

by TitleMaster on Dec 15, 2008 4:26 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

sure, and then let's rehire pitino

sorry to group antoine in with that creep. i like toine as a person, hate him as a player

by Cousin It on Dec 15, 2008 5:53 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I’d rather have Marbury.

by Brickowski on Dec 15, 2008 6:07 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Oh god...

Just STFU, okay? Marbury???? Let’s get Sprewell or Isaiah Rider back in the league while we’re at it…..

shakes head in disgust

by PSquared on Dec 16, 2008 10:15 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

good god not another antoine thread....

not again, please.

just when i thought it was safe to return to celticsblog and never ever at anytime have to face another thread about antoine….this happens.

sigh. ok, let’s have it folks…if a thread on antoine gets life can one about GG be that far behind?

by hwangjini_1 on Dec 15, 2008 7:01 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

It's Destiny

Somehow, Antoine will end up on the Celtics roster this year.

There is nothing any of us can do to prevent this.

by GregKite on Dec 15, 2008 7:33 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

You cannot stop him.....

….heck, I don’t even know if he can be contained either….lol.

by PSquared on Dec 16, 2008 10:16 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Hello fellow Celticsfans! First comment ever and what topic could be more deserving than another Antoine Walker thread! ;)

The thought of having Antoine on our team and letting him finally close the circle by winning a championship here in boston sounds enticing for those who remember him as the only flicker of hope on really lousy Celtic teams in the late nineties and as a ferocious playoff warrior on the overachieving 2002 squad. I became a Celtics fan in the atrocious 15-win season of 1997, so count me as a member of this group!

Though I still occasionally wear my No 8 jersey and will always have a special place in my memory reverved for Antoine, I have to realistically confess that we have no room for him now. Who would you cut for the Master of the Wiggle?
Cassell, Pruitt or Scal??? And what do we do when we want to sign PJ Brown, Deke or Joe Smith later on to fill our most glaring need, a defensive-minded bigman with size off the bench?

So, Antoine to the Celtics for a third time? The heart says yes but the brain and everything else unfortunately say no!

by DanubeCeltic on Dec 15, 2008 7:47 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Here's my two cents...

Who would I cut? What has Sam-I-am-NOT have done? Just sit on the bench and joke with his teammates. TOINE COULD DO THAT! lol.

But seriously…I’d cut Scal ‘cause as solid as he’s been playing, his ballhandling is ATROCIOUS and having a guy like Antoine instead, at least gives another Point-Guard-like Player out there who is a threat to escape double teams and make a great pass for a basket.

And excuse me but Deke isn’t coming through that door and he’s…what? 80 years old? PJ Brown doesn’t have many years left(probably a few) while Toine has 3-4 years….

Joe smith…..You’re kidding, right? lol.

I think there comes a time when you’ve just got to FOLLOW YOUR HEART for once. I mean….come on. You’ve won your Championship so there’s no need to be concerned about Toine’s shortcomings at this point…..Why not bring him back and win another title with him on the team to finally COMPLETE THE CYCLE that started in ’96 when he came here to resuscitate(successfully) a franchise that had been a running joke for years upon years?

He deserves that, at least.

by PSquared on Dec 16, 2008 10:22 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!!!

Some of these comments above just cause me to shake my head in disbelief. How could you possibly say no to Antoine at this point?!!! YOU WOULD HONESTLY KEEP BRIAN SCALABRINE OR PATRICK O’BRYANT OR GABE PRUITT OVER ANTOINE?!!!!!! PUH-LEEZE. For those who claim he has no game left, let’s not forget that we are only three years removed from Antoine’s FIRST return to Boston in which he inspired a historic turnaround and the team’s first division title in over a decade. 2 years ago, he was the SECOND leading scorer in the NBA finals for the championship team. And I dare you to go back and analyze the second round Miami-Nets series from the 06 playoffs…. if not for Antoine, Miami does not win the championship. ANTOINE WALKER was the difference that made the difference. Will he replicate these previous successes with Boston? Who knows, but honestly, BRIAN SCALABRINE?!!! PATRICK “the poor man’s Candyman” O’bryant??? Look I don’t mean to be disrespectful to these men, I’m sure they are probably decent guys. But this is downright laughable. You have two kids as backups upfront with Davis and Powe, you NEED a veteran who can come in and further help to add depth. And those people who question Antoine’s commitment to team, simply fail to grasp the essence of Antoine Walker. Now personally, I think Boston would be a terrible fit for Antoine (although a great fit for Boston). He ought to look at places like New Orleans, Indiana and Cleveland. I could say TONS more, and I’m sure there are a lot of people who could say it better than I can. But to not even consider Employee #8 at this point in time really does a number in activating my upchuck reflex.

by toineson on Dec 17, 2008 7:55 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

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