For those who missed the preseason game between the Rockets and Celtics, it got a little heated on a number of occasions. Artest and Pierce had a couple skirmishes (not really a fight, or anything). But this one dude -- a rookie named Bill Walker (#12) -- was trying to start mess all over the place. Apparently, he even got into a fight with Kevin Garnett in practice, so obviously he isn't all there in the head. Here's some highlights from CF (thanks to Clutch). Man, this kid needs to settle down. <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4oCuPF6OiZA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4oCuPF6OiZA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
Just saw the highlights. Walker has a history of trouble and a short temper. Then it doesn't help that Eddie House thinks he is the shit. Do people need to be reminded that we have the Chuck Norris? Stupid shit by stupid people. Although Tracy should've just walked away.
LOL Tracy run up for a punch. hahahaha. I wanted to see this. Artest would've gone wild. And Yao Ming was also about to get into it. Wow. And what happened between Artest and Pierce?
I think if you check youtube, RonRon has pulled Pierces shorts down before or at least tried to. Man, Yao Ming in a fight would be funny lol Anyone see that youtube clip where he pushes that one dude about 5ft.
Walker would have eaten Tracy "one eye going round and round" McGrady alive. lol I'm proud that Walker didn't take shit from these superstars that think they can do everything like Tmac and Artest.
As am I, this game and the practice squabble with KG only show that Walker's an intense guy. The fact that everyone's getting so pouty over this is astonishing. Let's make one of you guys into Bill Walker for a minute. T-Mac comes up and drills you, Bill Walker, and earns a flagrant foul. What do you do? Nothing? Do you just sit there and revel in the fact that the holy Tracy McGrady noticed you enough to whack you and get a flagrant? Or do you stay true to your personality and not take shit, from him or anyone?
Dude, why are you ignoring the very blatant hit Walker gave McGrady just prior to that? McGrady's shove was retaliatory and wrong. But Walker gave him a clear shot while driving to the basket. I also read he went at LeBron in a previous game, and he dared to go after Yao Ming!? This guy as already gotten into more on-court tussles than McGrady has in his entire career as a Rocket. But, no, it's the sweet, wide-eyed Bill Walker, innocent as an angel, who came skipping down the lane and was taken down by the villainous, spoiled brute McGrady. Right.
Artest wasn't involved. But apparently, Walker didn't want to take shit from Yao Ming either. I mean, what was Yao thinking trying to set a screen in the middle of the lane. Doesn't he realize who Bill Walker is?
Uhh, are you talking about the hit where Walker was driving to the basket and smashed into T-Mac when he still had momentum? That wasn't intentional, there was no malicious intent there, it probably should have been an offensive foul but that's about all there was there. Good. I wish every rookie would do that. Walker ran into McGrady while cutting toward the basket. He wasn't trying to take McGrady out. But then McGrady turns out, all pissy, and attacks Walker.
The Yao hit, I just youtubed it, that was a little uncalled for, I can agree with that. Artest wasn't involved in any squabbles with Walker I don't think, but I'm pretty sure him and Pierce got testy with each other with the first half.
Artest stripped him off the ball on one play while Pierce was going to the basket. True to his nature as a drama queen, Pierce started writhing acting like Artest gave him a shot. He goes to the locker room (of course). In the second half, Pierce gives him a little shove on one play and Artest kind of flops to the ground like he got shot in the stomach. The refs give Pierce the offensive foul. Clearly, Artest is getting on his nerves. In another play, I don't remember when, Pierce is coming across the lane with Artest following close behind him. Artest trips up and falls to the ground, taking Pierce with him. Pierce doesn't like that, and he kind of rolls over him. But they separate quickly, and nothing comes of it. I have to say, this was one of the most entertaining preseason games I've season. Very spirited and competitive on both sides. I don't like they way Bill Walker was shoving people around, but he did add some drama to the game.
The same attitude you're accusing me of having with Bill Walker, you have with Ron Artest. Artest is playing good tough basketball and Pierce is a flopping drama queen... give me a break.
That's the dispute here, then. If McGrady gave him that shot for no good reason, Walker has a right to get up and let him know that he's not happy with it. But, as I saw the play, Walker clearly shoved/punched off McGrady with an extended forearm. It wasn't just a run of the mill offensive foul where he lost control. In a previous play, he was bouncing off Rockets left and right and committed a loose ball foul on McGrady as well. Nothing malicious with that, obviously (those the way he slaps the ball away should have earned him a T), but he established himself as a guy who's looking to be rough and physical. I agree, I don't think he was trying to take McGrady out. But he was trying to establish himself as a tough guy and be extra physical. Maybe he thought McGrady would shrink away, since he's still rehabbing the knee. Again, he needs to just control himself, for his own sake. The league, and the officials, are going to be keeping an extra close eye on him, and that's not a good way to start off a young career.
Ok, I might have been exaggerating there for effect. Maybe Pierce was legitimately hurt on the play. I couldn't see the foul on the replay, and Artest didn't get a whistle there. And Artest never, not once, lost his temper throughout the game. Walker seemed to playing with a chip on his shoulder throughout the contest.
And what's wrong with that? I'd much rather have a player (rookie) with that mentality than someone who's going to play scared and defer to those superstars. He'll get some unfavorable calls this year, no doubt about that. Once he establishes himself in the league (next year, year after), he'll be fine.
Presumably to lock down minutes once the season starts. He started the preseason competing with Miles, Tony Allen, and possibly Giddens for the backup SF spot that Posey left vacant. Walker needs to be tough-minded and get his nose dirty. Doc will respond and give him the minutes. So far its working, Giddens and Miles barely played last night.
i was laughing the entire game last night at the physical play.........that walker kid seems like a loose cannon......dude is a rookie and is challenging a vet like KG in practice............dude needs to know his role.............
bottom line walker is a punk who will most likely get his ass kicked before the season's over with, by either another teammate or someone else on another squad...........................that's if he even makes the team and doesn't go to the D-League................and he doesn't have the balls to step to Ron Ron..............it's one thing to be tough and not take shit from anyone, but this kid is a D league level talent trying to start crap with everyone......he can mess around and jeopardize his career.......
