Camp Questions: Giddens vs. Walker
by Jeff Clark on Sep 23, 2009 5:00 PM EDT
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5 Days Till Camp! Leading up to the opening of training camp on Sept. 28 we'll be taking a look at several questions that should be resolved by the end of camp.
Bill Walker and J.R. Giddens were the designated "rookies that get no playing time" last year. They have a chance to take on a bigger role on this year's team, but they'll have to impress in camp.
Danny and Doc have hinted in the past that there was only room for one of them. I assume that means in the rotation, but they could be talking about on the roster as well.
Walker saw more court time last year but during summer league the team declared that Giddens had caught up with Walker. This should be one of the more interesting camp battles to watch.
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Hmm.....
I was willing to assume that Bill Walker would win the “battle” since he got more playing time for the NBA roster, while Giddens was in the D-league playoffs.
But, I voted before I read that Giddens supposedly “caught up” with Walker. I don’t even know what that means: he can shoot now? He can pass better, now?
Right now, I think it’s safe to say Walker does have the advantage just because he has had more playing time. So, I’ll go with him.
Neither One Can Shoot
But Walker is considerably younger, which gives him the edge, although Giddens is probably a better defender.
By season end, I think Bill Walker will be the David Thirdkill of this team.
by GJPBoston on Sep 23, 2009 6:41 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Bill Walker
Michael Beasely says that Walker is one of the better athletes in the nba. This guy is going to win a spot
People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~Rogers Hornsby
Even though I think Giddens is better, Walker will probably get the spot.
by BudweiserCeltic on Sep 23, 2009 7:04 PM EDT reply actions
My thought is that our team is basically set through 9 positions. That means we are looking for players who can give one thing very well for short amounts of time in specific situations. So whichever player can really perfect one NBA level skill will get playing time, meaning that being pretty good at everything is useless in this context. I don’t know which player this will be, but I lean towards Walker because he’s younger, bigger, and more athletic.
Giddens is probably a better all-around player than Walker; heck he’s probably a better all-around player than Eddie. I bet he beats Eddie in a game of one on one and probably puts up better stats in summer league, too. But Eddie can shoot the ball at an elite level, so he has value and a role. Being an all-around player does you know good unless you are good enough at everything to start or be a 6th/7th man, and I haven’t seen anything close to that from Giddens yet. Heck in that sense, Tony’s probably a better all-around player than Giddens.
Hope I’m wrong, and hope he impresses. But at this point I don’t see Walker or Giddens being more than a bit player, so whichever one can be better at one specific skill will probably get the nod
by Fan from VT on Sep 23, 2009 7:28 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
lol
What happened to all the J.R. Giddens fans?
I thought the majority here believed he was ahead of Bill Walker. Way to come to you senses everyone!
I saw the summer league play and I was very surprised to see that Giddens game has cought up with Walker. You have to also understand that summer league is geared towards guard play. Giddens played good defense and displayed a good jumper. While Walker is my favorite Giddens did display a better game than Walker.
Let me say this these guys play two different positions. Giddens is 6’5" and plays shooting guard Walker is 6’6"and plays small forward. Both of them was in a photo doing community neighborhood summer good will, what stood out was the difference in there body structure. Walker is bigger than Giddens. Walker may be able to be used as a guard but Giddens wont be able to guard small forwards. They are both young and talented and I might add our future. If we don’t start assembling young talent now then in two years we could become a door mat again. Every team needs to develop young talent thats why we have the draft every year.
Keep a eye on Walker......
Walker could play a important role on this club this year.
On offense Walker showed some strong offensive moves to the hoop last year and if he can develop a outside shot this year to keep the defense honest and balance out his offensive game he will be a good tool to have on the bench when the front line players are in a shooting slump or are injured.
On defense he lost his man on defense alot last year, but being new to the system that is understandable.
This year if he works on his defense and since he is 6’6" very strong and athletic he can be used for spot duty to defend against players like Lebron and Kobe when they get on a role and over power Allen, Daniels.
Due to his physical and mental toughness he has the chance to be our Kobe and Lebron stopper.
Walker being a very, tough player both physically and mentally also allows him to fit in perfect with all the other tough players on team like Perk, Rasheed, and Garnett .
I just hope Doc can find Walker some playing time this year to allow us to see what he has.
Well...
If everything you say is true, then Walker will show all this in training camp and THEN get a chance in the real thing. I don’t buy into the idea that Doc doesn’t play rookies; everyone seems to agree with guys like Pruitt, Walker, and Giddens didn’t earn the time last year, so I don’t know why people made a big deal out of the fact that they weren’t played. If Walker or Giddens show something in training camp, they’ll get chances in the regular season.
Walker is the player
most ready to get minutes this fall
but the player who will have the longest and most successful career is Giddens, hands down.
Considering that Walker already has more NBA time and is almost 3 years younger...
…are you suggesting that Walker will win time on a championship-competitive team as a 22yo, but then drop out of the league early for some reason—or that Giddens is a late bloomer who will be playing until he’s 40?
That's what I thought too
People are saying Giddens is more skilled…I’m willing to buy that for the time being, assuming that I’ll see what exactly this means this year. Otherwise, I don’t see how Giddens has a leg up on Walker. On this team, we do need a backup SF who can defend the better SFs in the league, and Walker between the two may fit that mold we need better. But, if Walker can become that kind of player defensively and then stay in control offensively, he’ll have a long and successful career too.
Bill Walker
Is a bigger, stronger and smarter Tony Allen. His value will be as a defender at the SF. Offensively he is a ball pounding, no consistent jumpshot, superb athlete that will give 110% efffort on the floor. His challenge will be to stay healthy and minimize mistakes.
JR is likely a better all around player who is limited to the SG position, without the defensive skills and athletic ability. He does have a much better shot and ball handling ability, but the Celtics need his skills less than Walkers. He just doesnt excel enough to crack the rotation, yet. His challenge will be patience and maximizing his limited opportunities.
"First fix their hearts"-Eizo Shimabuku
I'm not sure who's the better defender. But defense will decide the competition.
We’re talking about a backup for Pierce, so Walker’s size is an attractive factor. But it’ll all come down whoever can best stay down and disciplined on defense, and move their feet. Offense will hardly enter into it.
I think you have the wrong idea.
Giddens right now is probably the better defender and is by all means a very good athlete. Giddens is more comparable to Tony, but with worse freethrow shooting. From what I’ve seen from Walker he is a bad defender, Walker has some horrible lateral quickness. He’s very physical and aggresive, but he plays defense with his hands and doesn’t move his feet all that well.
Rondo doesn't believe in easy buckets...
Walker & Giddens both shot the lights out last year!!!!
The numbers don`t lie!
2008-08 FG%
Giddens : .667%
Walker : .621%
Trade Value
As neither is expected to crack the rotation and contribute on the court, the question will be who has a better value as throw-in in trades.
situational?
I put Giddens. He is older and smaller, but I believe he can become a complete player That being said, the comments have convinced me that we’ll see. If backup 3 or 2 is the bigger concern. JR can’t play point, right?
Giddens
Giddens is erratic but he seems to have far more upside than Walker. Unless Walker dramatically improves his shooting, I just don’t think he’s very good at anything other than dunking. He’s basically a 6’6" power forward who can’t shoot or rebound. Giddens may have a lot of TA in him, but his body and game seem to translate a lot better to the NBA.
Neither/Both
As others have said neither really played last year because they weren’t good enough to push into th elineup. You have to defend and you have to be able to shoot if you are that size. Bring one and you ride the pine on a team like ours.
But both have potential, key fact is Walker is younger, I wouldn’t say its either/or only. Both can make the roster, and I hope we see both of them earn that. We need youth in the 2-3 position.
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