Antoine Walker a big game player? Myth or reality?

[thebac]

I decided to start this thread because some people think that Walker is a guy that steps up for the big games. So does he? Some rudimentary statistical analysis follows:

Note: stats are all as of 12-27-03

Walker vs. the four other contenders (if you count MIN):

LAL 3G, 119MIN, 28-53 FG, 11-21 3PT, 3-4 FT, 2ST, 1BL, 9TO, 29REB, 10AST, 70PTS
MIN 2G, 74MIN, 8-28 FG, 0-7 3PT, 0-4 FT, 0ST, 2BL, 4TO, 16RB, 9AST, 16PTS
SAC 1G, 37MIN, 9-21 FG, 5-11 3PT, 0-0 FT, 0ST, 2BL, 4TO, 12REB, 8AST, 23PTS
SAN 2G, 81MIN, 14-37 FG, 2-11 3PT, 1-2 FT, 1ST, 1BL, 4TO, 19REB, 6AST, 31PTS

Several observations:

I feel better about the Mavs meeting the Lakers in the playoffs now, not just b/c the Mavs finally beat them in LA, but b/c of Walker: He's bringing his game against the Lakers, although his playing well hinges on his ability to knock down the three against them (and he takes 7 a game against the LAL). Even taking out the first game, he's making a respectable 6-15 from three against the LAL.

Can't say too much about Sacto yet. Only one game, and they were missing their two best players, but Walker did play well.

Against MIN and SAN the best thing about Walker is that he doesn't turn the ball over as much as he normally does. Other than that, it's ugly. Shooting 33.8% from the field and 11.1% from three (while taking 4.5 a game), plus 16.7% from the free throw line (small sample size here, though), he clearly struggles against them. He still gets a slightly below average (for him) 8.8RPG and 3.8APG, but 11.8PTS on 16.3FGA a game is not cutting it.

Overall against the four other contenders his stats are 42.4% from the field, including 36% from three, and 40% from the line. Plus .4ST, .8BL, 2.6TO, 9.5REB, 4.1AST, and 17.5PTS a game.

Compare that to his overall stats of 43.3% FG, 30.5% 3PT, 52.9% FT, .8ST, .9BL, 2.7TO, 9.7REB, 5.1AST, 17.3PTS, and it's a wash. He seems to step up against the Lakers, at least shooting-wise. He stepped up against SAC. He stunk it up against MIN and SAN.

Interesting tidbit:

His stats in wins and losses are virtually identical (in wins, 17.6PTS, 9.9REB, 5.2AST, 2.6TO, .9ST, .8BL, shooting 55% from the line, 30.1% from three, and 44.8% from the field (on 16.5FGA); in losses, 16.8PTS, 9.4REB, 5.1AST, 2.8TO, .6ST, 1.1BL, 50% from the line, 30.9% from three, but only 41.1% from the field (on 16.8FGA). Note that in losses he shoots 46.3% from two, compared to 51.0% in wins, but what drives the FG% down further is that in losses, he takes 5.7 3PT a game, compared to 4.9 in wins.

Alternatively, you could define big games as games decided by fewer than ten points.

In that case, his big-game performance is slightly different:

(Toine's big-game performances, FG, 3PT, FT (if applicable), TO, REB, AST, PTS):
10-20, 0-4, 0-1, 3, 14, 4, 20
6-20, 1-4, 1-1, 9, 17, 7, 14
4-12, 1-4, 3, 8, 1, 9
6-18, 2-8, 1-5, 1, 10, 6, 15
5-14, 2-5, 2-4, 3, 6, 1, 14
10-25, 1-7, 1-2, 1, 11, 5, 22
4-18, 0-3, 0-4 1, 10, 3, 8
9-19, 1-4, 2-4, 2, 7, 10, 21
3-14, 0-6, 1-4, 2, 7, 8, 7
4-10, 0-4, 3, 6, 6, 8
7-19, 2-5, 3-3, 2, 8, 6, 19
9-21, 5-11, 4, 12, 8, 23
6-17, 1-3, 2, 10, 8, 13

Which comes out to:
83-227 FG, 16-68 3PT, 11-28 FT, 36TO, 126REB, 73AST, 193PTS
36.6% FG, 23.5% 3PT, 39.3% FT, 2.8TO, 9.7REB, 5.6AST, 14.8PTS a game

Note also that he takes 17.5 FGA in those games, including 5.2 3PTA.

again, compare that to his overall stats of:

43.3% FG, 30.5% 3PT, 52.9% FT, 2.7TO, 9.7REB, 5.1AST, 17.3PTS a game

So, the long and short of it is, no, Walker does not step up for big games. He does step up against the Lakers, and I'm grateful for that. However, note the caveat--he mostly shoots lights out agains the Lakers, especially from three. As long as he continues to do that, I wouldn't mind him around.

I was a big (though silent) Walker supporter before I undertook this quick analysis. Now I must admit I'm wavering a bit. Maybe he's just going through a slump right now. However, what's clear is that Walker mostly puts up good stats in blowouts. With his stats, I refer to his shooting. I don't think his passing or rebounding is up for debate--he's doing a fine job in both departments, and those seem to be the constants in his game (he neither steps up nor does he falter in big games, just bringing it every night). What's inconsistent, however, is his shooting. I'd hereby like to join the crowd of those would prefer Walker shoot from close range and drastically cut down on his three point attempts. And of course, continue to be the better-than-expected rebounder and mighty fine passer that you've been so far, Antoine. But please, shoot less, and take better shots.

[dude1394]

BRAVO FANTASTICOFANTASTIQUEˆÓ‘z•s“žfantastisch

POST!! Wonderful job thebac... I get to spend the next 10 minutes studying it, thanks!!

[thebac]

Originally posted by: dude1394
BRAVO FANTASTICOFANTASTIQUEˆÓ‘z•s“žfantastisch

POST!! Wonderful job thebac... I get to spend the next 10 minutes studying it, thanks!!

Thanks for the praise [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img]

I spent a bit of time putting it together--I don't post much, but I want my posts to count.

[dude1394]

Well with this one I give you two free bad post get out of jail cards!

[ReDIRKulous]

I wonder how his performance in "big games" compares to our other players? Isn't it relative? I think everyone's game sufferes against greater talent. The question is... who's suffers more? Also... I think Walker's stats in games decided by 10 points or less are misleading becaus ethe Mavs as a whole have had trouble in close games. Great stats though... I am still sorting through them all.

[Razor]

thebac.....if there is such a thing as a perfect post, you nailed it. Thanks for all the great stats!!

[MavKikiNYC]

Can you find out what percentage of Walker's production v. Lakers comes while the Mavericks are within 10 points of the Lakers? Within 15 points? Within 20 points?

[MightyToine]

DAMN! That was SWEEET!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]


Outstanding post!!!

[sike]

Originally posted by: Razor
thebac.....if there is such a thing as a perfect post, you nailed it. Thanks for all the great stats!!

I could'nt disagree with this more!







to be perfect it must have a picture of a man slipping on banana peel or a fat guy getting a pie in the face or animals making sarcastic comments about how stupid humans are.......then it would have been perfect!

great post thebac!.....but not quite perfect! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

[DIRK BRASIL]

Walker is our 4th star.

1st - Dirk - no doubt!!!!
2nd - Nash
3rd - Fin

[Stressboy]

I think the Minni numbers will be tainted for all our guys as they are all on the back end of back to backs. Also, the second game was after the loss at Boston that I'm sure drained Walker more than the others (though I did not get to see the game, I was out of town). What I have seen is that as a team, we match up well with all 4 other contenders, out board them all(again, Minni is tainted) and if we come with definsive intensity, we are better than them all (I don't know if we can match the Spurs or Lakers intensity come playoff time, but hopefully we will be shooting better by then).

Walker stands out against those contenders because he along with Dirk causes the biggest mismatches against those teams. What is most frustrating about Walker is that he has yet to grasp the tempo that the Mavs play at best nor has he tried to understand how to set up his team mates. When he is running the break and stops to jack the 3 when Dirk is 20 feet away wide open, he should be slapped. Finley would make the pass, Nash would penetrate and kick, Walker never sees the floor and launches. Walker needs to begiven last years tapes and made to watch the best 20 games to see how he can setup his teammates.

Overall, I think he is a weapon we need to match up with the top teams, but against the lessor teams, his lack of flow is causing some serious issues.

He is also, killing the team at the free throw line and he must get that fixed before people start employing the hack and 8 technique.

Stressboy

[MightyToine]

Originally posted by: DIRK BRASIL
Walker is our 4th star.

1st - Dirk - no doubt!!!!
2nd - Nash
3rd - Fin

I agree. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

[MightyToine]

Originally posted by: Stressboy
I think the Minni numbers will be tainted for all our guys as they are all on the back end of back to backs. Also, the second game was after the loss at Boston that I'm sure drained Walker more than the others (though I did not get to see the game, I was out of town). What I have seen is that as a team, we match up well with all 4 other contenders, out board them all(again, Minni is tainted) and if we come with definsive intensity, we are better than them all (I don't know if we can match the Spurs or Lakers intensity come playoff time, but hopefully we will be shooting better by then).

Walker stands out against those contenders because he along with Dirk causes the biggest mismatches against those teams. What is most frustrating about Walker is that he has yet to grasp the tempo that the Mavs play at best nor has he tried to understand how to set up his team mates. When he is running the break and stops to jack the 3 when Dirk is 20 feet away wide open, he should be slapped. Finley would make the pass, Nash would penetrate and kick, Walker never sees the floor and launches. Walker needs to begiven last years tapes and made to watch the best 20 games to see how he can setup his teammates.

Overall, I think he is a weapon we need to match up with the top teams, but against the lessor teams, his lack of flow is causing some serious issues.

He is also, killing the team at the free throw line and he must get that fixed before people start employing the hack and 8 technique.

Stressboy

Hack an 8 technique?

Hack-a-TOINE sounds so much better. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

[sike]

Originally posted by: MightyToine

I agree. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

nice to see some objectivity!

[Walkerforthree]

great post the bac. One thing I would love to see more is the alley-oop game that walker and dirk play. One will be posted, usually dirk, with walker in the high post/top of the key area. Dirk will spin off and walker makes a beautiful pass, dirk catches it and lay's it up, dunks it or is fouled. We don't do this enough, I can't think of one time when that play hasn't worked.

[thebac]

Thanks for all the feedback. Let me address a few points first:

Kiki: I could do it, but it would take me all day, sorry. It's an interesting point, though. Considering that all three Lakers games haven't been close, did Walker just inflate his stats artificially when the game was out of reach? I don't know.

Stressboy: In the first game (a win, ironically), Steve stunk it up as well. Fin did a decent job, picking up some of the slack in Dirk's absence (Jamison and Howard made the difference). In the second game (Fin was injured), Dirk didn't play that well, but both Steve and Jamison did, though it was ultimately not enough. Walker played badly in both games.

The post was meant to analyze whether Walker steps up in big games--not whether he disappears less than our other stars. Having said that, there seems to be demand for the same stats for the big three, so here goes:

Dirk:
LAL 2G, 79MIN, 15-39 FG, 1-8 3PT, 15-18 FT, 2ST, 2BL, 4TO, 25REB, 6AST, 46PTS
MIN 1G, 41MIN, 4-13 FG, 1-6 3PT, 6-7 FT, 0ST, 0BL, 2TO, 7REB, 1AST, 15PTS
SAC 1G, 47MIN, 9-22 FG, 3-6 3PT, 10-10 FT, 3ST, 3BL, 0TO, 14REB, 5AST, 31PTS
SAN 2G, 83MIN, 14-37 FG, 3-12 3PT, 10-12 FT, 4ST, 0BL, 6TO, 17REB, 4AST, 41PTS

Total against contenders:
250MIN, 42-111 FG, 8-32 3PT, 41-47 FT, 9ST, 5BL, 12TO, 63REB, 16AST, 133PTS
41.7MIN, 37.8% FG, 25% 3PT, 87.2% FT, 1.5ST, .8BL, 2TO, 10.5REB, 2.7AST, 22.2PTS a game (on 18.5FGA and 7.8FTA a game)

overall:
37.1MIN, 42.4% FG, 28.4% 3PT, 86.3% FT, 1ST, 1.1BL, 2.2TO, 8.3REB, 2.3AST, 19.2PTS a game (on 15.5FGA and 5.8FTA a game)

close games (minutes now included in first column):
45, 11-18, 0-1, 7-7, 3, 4, 3, 15, 1, 29
42, 11-20, 1-2, 4-4, 0, 3, 4, 5, 3, 27
40, 7-18, 1-7, 0-2, 3, 0, 5, 11, 3, 15
41, 7-14, 0-1, 5-8, 2, 1, 6, 11, 2, 19
38, 8-19, 2-5, 2-2, 0, 3, 1, 8, 5, 20
43, 7-19, 2-5, 10-10, 1, 0, 1, 6, 1, 26
27, 4-12, 1-2, 0, 0, 0, 3, 2, 9--note: this is Dirk's first game back from injury, but it counts, anyway
41, 11-28, 3-7, 5-8, 2, 1, 1, 13, 1, 30
41, 4-13, 1-6, 6-7, 0, 0, 2, 7, 1, 15
42, 3-12, 0-3, 0, 1, 5, 9, 2, 6
47, 9-22, 3-6, 10-10, 3, 3, 0, 14, 5, 31
42, 6-10, 2-3, 4-4, 0, 0, 4, 17, 4, 18

Totals:
489MIN, 88-205 FG, 16-48 3PT, 53-62 FT, 14ST, 16BL, 32TO, 109REB, 30AST, 245PTS
40.8MIN, 42.9% FT, 33.3% 3PT, 85.5% FT, 1.2ST, 1.3BL, 2.7TO, 9.1REB, 2.5AST, 20.4PTS a game (on 17.1FGA and 5.2FTA a game)


Fin:

LAL, 2G, 73MIN, 10-32 FG, 1-10 3PT, 10-11 FT, 2ST, 0BL, 2TO, 7REB, 2AST, 31PTS
MIN, 1G, 44MIN, 8-23 FG, 5-12 3PT, 4-5 FT, 2ST, 1BL, 1TO, 8REB, 1AST, 25PTS
SAC, 1G, 38MIN, 3-15 FG, 2-6 3PT, 4-6 FT, 1ST, 3BL, 2TO, 4REB, 1AST, 12PTS
SAN, 2G, 80MIN, 7-25 FG, 2-10 3PT, 8-10 FT, 8ST, 3BL, 2TO, 5REB, 6AST, 24PTS

Total against contenders:
235MIN, 28-95 FG, 10-38 3PT, 26-32 FT, 13ST, 7BL, 7TO, 24REB, 10AST, 92PTS
39.2MIN, 29.5% FG, 26.3% 3PT, 81.3% FT, 2.2ST, 1.2BL, 1.2TO, 4REB, 1.7AST, 15.3PTS a game (on 15.8FGA, and 5.3FTA a game, he's struggling from the field, but he gets to the line)

overall:
38.8MIN, 43.9% FG, 40% 3PT, 81.8% FT, 1.3ST, .5BL, 1.3TO, 4.5REB, 2.8AST, 17.2PTS (on 14.9FGA and 2.8FTA a game)

close games:
42, 3-8, 1-3, 2, 0, 4, 10, 1, 7
40, 4-13, 1-3, 2-2, 0, 0, 2, 3, 1, 11
36, 2-8, 1-3, 2-2, 4, 1, 0, 3, 5, 7
46, 8-17, 3-4, 1, 1, 2, 7, 2, 19
44, 10-20, 3-5, 2-3, 1, 0, 0, 7, 4, 25
44, 5-17, 1-7, 6-8, 4, 2, 2, 2, 1, 17
44, 8-23, 5-12, 4-5, 2, 1, 1, 8, 1, 25
48, 17-26, 3-4, 1-1, 2, 0, 1, 7, 1, 38
37, 5-12, 2-4, 0, 0, 0, 1, 5, 12--note: first game back from injury
38, 3-15, 2-6, 4-6, 1, 3, 2, 4, 1, 12
41, 9-15, 5-7, 1-2, 0, 1, 1, 3, 0, 24

Totals:
460MIN, 74-174 FG, 27-58 3PT, 22-29 FT, 17ST, 9BL, 16TO, 55REB, 22AST, 197PTS
41.8MIN, 42.5% FG, 46.6% 3PT, 75.9% FT, 1.5ST, .8BL, 1.5TO, 5REB, 2AST, 17.9PTS a game (on 15.8FGA and 2.6FTA a game)

What seems to be remarkable about Fin is that when he takes a lot of shots, it's only when he makes them or when everyone else is struggling, too (5-17 SAN, 8-23 MIN--in the 8-24 LAL game he had to pick up the slack for the injured Dirk, though the other Mavs shot well), the exception being the 3-15 SAC game. On the other hand, when he doesn't get it going early nowadays, he doesn't feel like he needs to shoot himself into the game any more, and defers to others.


Steve:

LAL 3G, 104MIN, 20-44 FG, 4-11 3PT, 17-18 FT, 1ST, 0BL, 7TO, 7REB, 22AST, 61PTS
MIN 2G, 70MIN, 13-34 FG, 4-12 3PT, 14-14 FT, 1ST, 0BL, 6TO, 3REB, 12AST, 44PTS
SAC 1G, 35MIN, 5-9 FG, 3-4 3PT, 1-1 FT, 0ST, 0BL, 3TO, 2REB, 11AST, 14PTS
SAN 2G, 72MIN, 9-21 FG, 3-5 3PT, 6-8 FT, 1ST, 0BL, 6TO, 11REB, 13AST, 27PTS

Total against contenders:
281MIN, 47-108 FG, 14-32 3PT, 38-41 FT, 3ST, 0BL, 19TO, 23REB, 58AST, 146PTS
35.1MIN, 43.5% FG, 43.8% 3PT, 92.7% FT, .4ST, 0BL, 2.4TO, 2.9REB, 7.3AST, 18.3PTS (on 13.5FGA and 5.1FTA a game)

overall:
33.4MIN, 42.4% FG, 42.5% 3PT, 90.5% FT, .7ST, 0BL, 2.9TO, 3.1REB, 7.8AST, 14.4PTS (on 11.1FGA and 3.8FTA a game)

Now here's a player who picks up his game against the big ones. Can't fault him for the slight drop in assists if his teammates can't hit the shots [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

close games:
38, 3-9, 1-4, 9-10, 0, 0, 2, 5, 11, 16
37, 6-12, 2-3, 1-2, 0, 0, 3, 3, 6, 15--note: first game back from injury
39, 5-13, 1-4, 5-5, 1, 0, 8, 5, 8, 16
40, 5-11, 2-4, 2-2, 0, 0, 3, 10, 12, 14
35, 3-9, 1-2, 5-6, 1, 0, 3, 8, 7, 12
33, 4-18, 0-5, 9-9, 0, 0, 3, 2, 3, 17
34, 2-12, 1-4, 1-3, 1, 0, 2, 3, 5, 6
38, 3-9, 3-6, 5-6, 1, 0, 6, 1, 9, 14
37, 9-16, 4-7, 5-5, 1, 0, 3, 1, 9, 27
37, 0-5, 0-4, 4-4, 1, 0, 2, 2, 6, 4
35, 5-9, 3-4, 1-1, 0, 0, 3, 2, 11, 14
41, 6-14, 3-6, 1-1, 2, 0, 2, 4, 10, 16

Totals:
454MIN, 51-137 FG, 21-53 3PT, 48-54 FT, 8ST, 0BL, 40TO, 46REB, 97AST, 171PTS
37.8MIN, 37.2% FG, 39.6% 3PT, 88.9% FT, .7ST, 0BL, 3.3TO, 3.8REB, 8.1AST, 14.3PTS (on 11.4FGA and 4.5FTA a game)

So both Dirk and Fin (not surprisingly) struggle against other contenders, though they (arguably) play quite well in close games.

Steve brings his game against the contenders, but struggles in close games (or maybe we're in a close game b/c Steve is struggling). Interestingly enough, his minutes go up just 1.7 a game against the contenders, while in close games against contenders and non-contenders alike Nellie puts him in for an extra 4.4 minutes.

What are the overall conclusions? Not sure. Maybe the Mavs are better against the other contenders b/c Steve and Antoine really step up their game against them (and b/c of luck, i.e., missing key players). Maybe we're struggling in close games b/c Steve and Antoine struggle when it gets close. Who knows.

[ReDIRKulous]

WOW. Fin's stats are atrocious against the contenders.

Great job Bac.

[MightyToine]

Originally posted by: sike

nice to see some objectivity!

You actually thought I'd disagree?? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]


Perish the thought... [img]i/expressions/rolleye.gif[/img]

[thebac]

Well, I was intrigued by Kiki's question and attempted to do stats for Walker vs. LAL when teams are within 10 points of each other. Included are Walker's shot attempts when the margin is 10 points or fewer as he shoots (i.e., if the deficit is 11 points and Walker makes a three, it does not count, even though the margin is reduced to 8. If the lead is 10 and Walker misses, the shot counts, even though the margin is still 10).

Stats are from Sportsline.com's play-by-play, and probably prone to error, I don't think they quite add up, so take them as an approximation.

2PT made missed
1 2
3PT made missed
2 1

2-3 on 3PT, 1-3 on 2PT, 3-6 overall


game 2

2PT made missed
2 2
3PT made missed
0 1
FT made missed
2 1

0-1 on 3PT, 2-4 on 2PT, 2-5 overall, 2-3 from the line


game 3

2PT made missed
5 5
3PT made missed
1 3

1-4 on 3PT, 5-10 on 2PT, 6-14 overall

Overall, Walker is a respectable 3-8 from three, 8-17 from two, 11-25 overall, 2-3 from the line.

When the margin is more than ten points, Walker is 8-13 from three, 17-28 overall, and 1-1 from the line.

This seems to provide some support for Kiki's (implied) contention that Walker pads his stats vs. the Lakers when the game is becoming a blowout. However, Walker's shooting against the Lakers is still better than his overall shooting, whether the game is close at the time or not.

[Cybertx]

You know i usedto think that finley was missing a lot of shots but it's not him the one that has beem missing field goalds.
Check this:

Dirk
SEASON FG% FG3% FT% AVG
2001-02 47.7 39.7 85.3 23.4
2002-03 46.3 37.9 88.1 25.1
2003-04 42.4 28.4 86.3 19.2

Walker
2001-02 39.4 34.4 74.1 22.1
2002-03 38.8 32.3 61.5 20.1
2003-04 43.3 30.5 52.9 17.3

Finley
2001-02 46.3 33.9 83.7 20.6
2002-03 42.5 37.0 86.1 19.3
2003-04 43.9 40.0 81.8 17.2

Jamison
2001-02 44.7 32.4 73.4 19.7
2002-03 47.0 31.1 78.9 22.2
2003-04 50.8 31.2 77.4 15.6

Nash
2001-02 48.3 45.5 88.7 17.9
2002-03 46.5 41.3 90.9 17.7
2003-04 42.4 42.5 90.5 14.4

Walker, Jamison and Finley are having better FG% than last season, in the other hand Dirk and Nash need to step up his game.

Dirk needs to get healthy and improve his shooting the 3FG% has gone from almost 38% to 28% and he's attempting more last year was 3.29 for match this year 3.78.

But the real problem is on the road look at this

Dirk
Split G MIN REB A PTS AVG
At Home 11 405 84 26 225 20.5
On Road 13 485 115 29 236 18.2

Walker
Split G MIN REB A PTS AVG
At Home 15 559 144 76 257 17.1
On Road 14 536 137 73 244 17.4

Finley
Split G MIN REB A PTS AVG
At Home 13 517 63 41 249 19.2
On Road 11 415 46 26 163 14.8

Jamison
Split G MIN REB A PTS AVG
At Home 15 447 114 16 247 16.5
On Road 14 410 84 16 204 14.6

Nash
Split G MIN REB A PTS AVG
At Home 15 508 57 125 247 16.5
On Road 13 428 30 94 157 12.1

Wlaker it's the only one that plays better on the road but Nash and Finley seem to be the more affected on the road they drop more than 4 points in average on the road and that's a lot for 2 of the stars in this team

[superheadcat]

been away for a while, once i came back, i got to see a hi quality post like this one.
well done, thebac.

some random thoughts:
1. a better explanation for walker's (slight, if any) performance discrepency between tight game situation and blowout situation against lakers: if it is blowout, lakers tend to play with less intensity, and may allow easier offense from mavs players, including walker, and when game is tight, lakers played with better concentration, and it is expected that mavs' offense will be contained better. i believe this is a more plausible explanation than "walker pads his stat".
2. i think walker is "a guy that steps up for the big games". somewhat like last year's nve. and that is important to mavs. and walker needs to keep it going. it is just that it does not mean walker does not need to improve his games for those not so big games.
3. i did not read all of the other thread, but i'm also a bit confused why walker is the focus of so much scrutiny. ok, he's new here, and he needs to prove himself as a mavs. but...

[MightyToine]

Originally posted by: superheadcat
been away for a while, once i came back, i got to see a hi quality post like this one.
well done, thebac.

some random thoughts:
1. a better explanation for walker's (slight, if any) performance discrepency between tight game situation and blowout situation against lakers: if it is blowout, lakers tend to play with less intensity, and may allow easier offense from mavs players, including walker, and when game is tight, lakers played with better concentration, and it is expected that mavs' offense will be contained better. i believe this is a more plausible explanation than "walker pads his stat".
2. i think walker is "a guy that steps up for the big games". somewhat like last year's nve. and that is important to mavs. and walker needs to keep it going. it is just that it does not mean walker does not need to improve his games for those not so big games.
3. i did not read all of the other thread, but i'm also a bit confused why walker is the focus of so much scrutiny. ok, he's new here, and he needs to prove himself as a mavs. but...

It's reputation, SuperheadCat. Walker, for some odd reason, is still being blamed for the demise of Rick Pitino(forget the fact that he literally ran his team into the ground). And for THAT, along with his penchant for whining with the refs, adds up to an image that the fans don't really much care for. Last year's pitiful performance against the Nets merely enforced the fans' low-regard for Walker and his game.

They don't want to hear about Walker's bad knee last year being a factor.....They don't want to hear about him only missing all but a couple of games during his entire boston tenure. They don't want to hear that he played through the pain unlike some players in the league. They only believe what the MEDIA tells them and if the Media says "ooga....ooga...Walker BAD....", the Fans aka SHEEP believe them. [img]i/expressions/rolleye.gif[/img]

[StupidDannyAInge]

Doesn't a great player do more then score when a big game is happening?

Walker always did the little things in Boston when the game was on the line that never showed up in the stat sheet. He was the player out there playing defense and taking the lead that Paul Pierce always followed. (not the other way around) He was the leader on the court directing the plays and the guy on the sidelines supporting the players on the court if he wasn't playing (which only happened when he fouled out)
He was the guy diving for the lose balls and fighting for the rebounds.

Your assesment about his scoring during these big games was very detailed but it didn't and doesn't take into consideration what else goes into winning a game.

[Max Power]

Originally posted by: Cybertx
Nash
2001-02 48.3 45.5 88.7 17.9
2002-03 46.5 41.3 90.9 17.7
2003-04 42.4 42.5 90.5 14.4

I noticied this a couple of days ago but forgot to post it. When is the last time a player has shot BETTER on 3's than on 2's?

[jayC]

Walker's a big game player. Come on he made shaq look stupid on his drive to the basket at the third meeting in the season against LA.
He gives us size against San Antonio, and helped us beat Minnesota without Dirk. And I got his Jersey for Christmas the sleek new road uniform.

Hes a poor man's Dirk. He can drive, pass, and shoot inside and outside. He just has to not take the impulsive shot. He is very creative in the post and as long as he lays off the highlight reel pass. He and the Mavs can work magic together.