<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Steve Bulpett:</div><div class="quote_post">On the first day of the NBA's free agent negotiating period, Houston emerged as a potential landing site for Antoine Walker. According to sources, the Rockets contacted Walker's agent, Mark Bartelstein, and expressed interest in the power forward who returned to the Celtics in a trade this past February. Walker, in turn, showed interest in the Rockets and reportedly could be visiting Houston as early as next week. Director of basketball operations Danny Ainge also contacted Bartelstein to reiterate the Celtics' interest in bringing back Walker. But assuming the Rockets are willing to spend their entire mid-level exception (approximately $5 million for one season), Walker could find Houston a more inviting option than the Celtics because of the Western Conference team's proximity to contending for a title. BostonHerald.com</div> Hmmm. What do you guys think? If we were to get Walker we would have to use up all of our MLE. Walker is good but is he willing to play D?
I think JVG would FORCE Walker to play D...he forced Francis to play D and play team ball, and he forced McGrady to step up his defensive game...I actually like the idea of Walker here, simply because of his versatility...he is a really good rebounder, nice passer and can play either of the frontcourt positions (except center), as well as handle the ball...I think he'd be a great addition, and as far as his wild style of playing, I dont see that as a problem because JVG will make him tone it down...JVG has a great way of making his players adapt to his style of basketball opposed to vice versa...
Just read in another article that Walkers not the only one making a trip to Houston. Stromile Swift and Bobby Simmons may also come down to meat with the Rockets. They say Donyell Marshall also as interest in Houston but doesnt plan on making any trips to interested teams. http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3250157
yeah I read this earlier today.....I'd rather keep our money and use what we have instead of signin walker.......we need a PF who's not afraid to bang and play some D.....all thick head does is shoot 3's and do that silly little dance.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Shooter:</div><div class="quote_post">I think JVG would FORCE Walker to play D...he forced Francis to play D and play team ball, and he forced McGrady to step up his defensive game...I actually like the idea of Walker here, simply because of his versatility...he is a really good rebounder, nice passer and can play either of the frontcourt positions (except center), as well as handle the ball...I think he'd be a great addition, and as far as his wild style of playing, I dont see that as a problem because JVG will make him tone it down...JVG has a great way of making his players adapt to his style of basketball opposed to vice versa...</div> I doubt that Van Gundy would succeed in forcing Walker to tune down his wild style. Francis did attempt less shots, but he and Van Gundy had very strained relations. Walker has traditionally been a hothead and I doubt he can cool down in the heat of the moment when he's blind with the desire to please the crowd. Don't know about you guys but this summer could be a bad one if we use our MLE on Antoine Walker.
^^^I agree......dude might be a problem in the locker room and he'll probably take more shots away from Yao and TMac.
Trip, the plan is to do a sign and trade. Walker isnt going to take a MLE. JVG could possibly make him a better rebounder, and since it would probably get rid of Howard, it would be an upgrade. He demands the ball a lot though, averaging 19 last season. That takes touches away from tmac and yao. He brings more range, which we were looking for, so he could hit the three and be a third scoring option. I dont think it is that bad of an idea. It would allow us to use the MLE on someone like anderson or daniels.
They should not pick up Walker, but if they pick up one of the others the will be a powerhouse in the West. They were pretty damn good last year too.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting bplld:</div><div class="quote_post">Trip, the plan is to do a sign and trade. Walker isnt going to take a MLE. JVG could possibly make him a better rebounder, and since it would probably get rid of Howard, it would be an upgrade. He demands the ball a lot though, averaging 19 last season. That takes touches away from tmac and yao. He brings more range, which we were looking for, so he could hit the three and be a third scoring option. I dont think it is that bad of an idea. It would allow us to use the MLE on someone like anderson or daniels.</div> Sign-n-trade will be even worse. Not only are we giving up players but we're also going to have a bigger, long term contract. If we lose Howard anyways through the trade for Walker, then it would serve no real purpose as the starting PF still won't have a backup, and now with Padgett leaving, it would make Weatherspoon and Bowen the main backups, which is definitely not an upgrade. I would like to see more depth at the four, not just an upgrade of starter but still the weak backups. Let's just hope one of Abdur-Rahim, Marshall, Evans or Andersen would come to the team and the Walker deal falls through.
I would much rather have Walker than Evans or Anderson...but thats just me...I never have really liked Swift's game, and saw him nothing more as a dunker and decent shot-blocker...I really question his work ethic and desire...The only PF I would really like to see here is Marshall, because of his shooting and rebounding ability...I like Walker's versatility, and I feel that at this stage of his career, he realizes that its about winning and that he'll have to tone down his game...Players CAN change, and I still think that when you see what JVG did with Francis, its possible...The other fact is that, when JVG signed here with us, Francis was already here, so Van Gundy didnt have time to judge his play yet or worry about such matters...if Walker signs, believe it that he will understand what is expected of him and that winning will be put over all else...
I dont care if hes a crybaby, if he can just do what he did with Boston i'll be happy, bout 15 ppg isnt bad, maybe more? We would need a good 3rd role player after Ming, and it would be one of the best trios next year, and Walker has been great with the celtics, so i take a shot at him, but how do we plan on getting him?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">I was under the impression the Rockets were looking to IMPROVE this move suggests otherwise.</div> Damn right. Walker's bad habits are too much for him to change at this stage of his career, and for a ballhog who has never put his team first, opting to shoot wild threes over making the pass, Antoine is too much of a risk.
I like Walker's game, but he jacks way to much. He's a bigger version of Quentin Richardson lol. I don't know why we don't go after a traditional PF. I look at Detriot and San Antonio, and they have traditional bigmen (excluding Rasheed) who play inside, rebound and blockshots. I don't see us doing anything special with Walker, he's just a short term answer. I think Swift would be a PERFECT fit for back up PF. You can argue about his jumpshot, but he's long, athletic and big, something I thought we were getting in the draft but I guess Van Gundy's going to stick it out with the small ball.
Swift is also foul-prone, has no valid post moves, and a history of not working up to his potential. Not to mention that he's not a good rebounder. We've had this argument before man, and I've backed myself up with facts that you somehow overlooked.
like, what happened to torraye never seen him play except in garbage minuts you think that we would have some sort of interest in him?
I like Walker personally and I watched several Boston games on my league pass. Walker changed his game and really became a good off rebounder and had a much better shot selection. Your entitled to your opinion but I see a guy who scores 16ppg and grabs 8 boards an upgrade. He also shot 42% for the season which is not bad at all considering he does have the ability to step and shoot the long range jumper. My thought is this I would rather have Walker shooting a wide open jumper when Yao is double teamed not swift.
42% is horrible...even for perimeter player standards its below average. And this 42% shooter is gonna be taking more shots than anyone but T-mac? then followed by Mike James's long bombs? man there's gonna be many scoring droughts next season.
