5 Questions with Antoine Walker

[MavsFanFinley]

AUGUST 10, 2004

The Atlanta Hawks introduced new team members Antoine Walker and Tony Delk to the media Tuesday afternoon, as the two joined Hawks co-owner Michael Gearon, Hawks GM Billy Knight, and VP of Basketball Dominique Wilkins at the Hawks practice facility in Philips Arena. After the press conference, Hawks.com caught up with Antoine for five quick questions about his new team.

Hawks.com: You’ve been with a few Kentucky players in your NBA career so far. When changing teams, how nice is it to have a former teammate like Tony [Delk] coming with you?

Antoine Walker: It’s the best feeling in the world, to have a guy who you are familiar with coming with you, especially Tony. It gives us some familiarity, to know we are with someone who is going through the same stuff at the same time. You want to get to know your teammates, and to already have one you know gets one headache out of the way. You already have that trust, you know what you can expect from each other on the court.

Hawks.com: In Dallas you were one of many offensive options. In Atlanta you will most likely be a much bigger focal point in the offense, what does that mean for you?

AW: It’s the best thing for me. It's where I feel like I belong in the league, as being one of the top two options on a team offensively. I think I can play at that high level, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to be doing that again. I’m looking forward to the challenge.

Hawks.com: This is your third team in the last twelve months – is there any motivation on your part to prove to those teams they made a mistake in letting you go?

AW: Not really. I think the Boston situation was kind of tough, with new ownership and new management at the end, but it was great for all the time I was there. Dallas was great too, they treated me well, and I have no complaints about them. The guys on the team were tremendous, it was just a situation where you had too much offensive talent. They were very accommodating in moving me to a team where I’m in a much better situation.

Hawks.com: This is a young Hawks team, and you and Tony Delk come in as the “elder statesmen.” What have you learned in your time in the NBA that you want to pass on to the younger guys?

AW: It’s a long season. That’s the hardest thing for young players to learn. There are 82 games, and you have to really focus on it game-by-game, month-by-month. If you have a bad game, you have 81 more to go. I think a lot of times young players put so much pressure on themselves to have a great game each time out, and it’s just hard to do that. You are not going to be perfect out there, and it takes time on the court to grow into yourself as a player. You just have to be patient, and remember it’s a long season and you have a long way to go.

Hawks.com: Al Harrington said when he got there he was going to do whatever it took to get the fans to come out and watch the Hawks play. What have you got in mind to get the fans out to Philips Arena?

AW: The first thing is to be competitive, and to come out and give 110 percent in every game. With the talent we have assembled, the young guys, we can do some things to make it exciting for them. Getting out on the break, dunking, playing an up-tempo style, making the game exciting, but also putting out a team that wants to win, I think if we can start doing that the fans will really be drawn in.

[FilthyFinMavs]

Dallas was great too, they treated me well, and I have no complaints about them. The guys on the team were tremendous, it was just a situation where you had too much offensive talent. They were very accommodating in moving me to a team where I’m in a much better situation.

Classy.


It's great to hear an ex-Mav say something good about the Mavs after he has left. I always got the impression players leave the Mavs on bad terms.

[Murphy3]

I was listening to the radio today when one of the DMNews writers were discussing Walker repeatedly referring to other mavs players as 'his supporting cast'. Thank God that nutcase is out of Dallas.

[madape]

It would be nice if Mav fans acted with one quarter of the class displayed by Walk in this interview.

[knowitall]

Nice way to put it, Madape. Take note Murphy3.

[Evilmav2]

Originally posted by: madape
It would be nice if Mav fans acted with one quarter of the class displayed by Walk in this interview.

I sure as heck agree with that...

[MightyToine]

Originally posted by: Murphy3
I was listening to the radio today when one of the DMNews writers were discussing Walker repeatedly referring to other mavs players as 'his supporting cast'. Thank God that nutcase is out of Dallas.

The only nutcase around here is......oh forget it. Not worth wasting my time.... sheesh... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif[/img]

[MightyToine]

Originally posted by: FilthyFinMavs

Classy.


It's great to hear an ex-Mav say something good about the Mavs after he has left. I always got the impression players leave the Mavs on bad terms.

He did something just as classy before he left Boston : He actually put out a full-page in the Local Newspaper(costs a pretty penny to do it) thanking all the fans over there and the city of boston for everything.


Many think Walker is a cancer and a whiner but The guy is TRUE C.L.A.S.S., period.




That Said, I wish him all the luck in the world in turning around that franchise.....He'll need it.

[grndmstr_c]

OMG, madape's lecturing people on class.

[ddh33]

I'm rooting for Walker. I hope he has a good year...Then, after he puts up a few triple doubles, I can listen to a lot of people here say things like, "The Mavs should have never traded Walker. Nellie just didn't know how to use him..." It's coming...

Truth is, I think Walker is in a better situation for him, and the Mavs have a better situation here.

[MavKikiNYC]

I already like Walker more in Atlanta than I ever did in Dallas or Boston.

Distance makes the heart grow fonder.

[MightyToine]

Originally posted by: MavKikiNYC
I already like Walker more in Atlanta than I ever did in Dallas or Boston.

Distance makes the heart grow fonder.

Aaahh...MavsKikiNYC, where would we be without your witty responses and sense of humor? [img]i/expressions/anim_roller.gif[/img]

[EricaLubarsky]

feel like I belong in the league, as being one of the top two options on a team offensively

How can you not take a jab at him for this remark. He showed tremendous class off the court but he is clearly delusional about his scoring ability.

[fin4life]

Originally posted by: MavKikiNYC
I already like Walker more in Atlanta than I ever did in Dallas or Boston.

Distance makes the heart grow fonder.

I can't agree woth you more.... I think he will be succesful there. I also read this article and he becomes a player that I like way more than I did in Dallas.

[Drbio]

AW: Not really. I think the Boston situation was kind of tough, with new ownership and new management at the end, but it was great for all the time I was there. Dallas was great too, they treated me well, and I have no complaints about them. The guys on the team were tremendous, it was just a situation where you had too much offensive talent. They were very accommodating in moving me to a team where I’m in a much better situation.

I'll give him this....that was indeed a classy response.




Now....can we get that tard MT out of the forum and into Atlanta?

[sike]

nice to see that Walker can still bring the members at D-M.com together.
it was good to see Walk turn down an obvious chance to burn the Mavs players or front office.....

[MavKikiNYC]

Originally posted by: MightyToine

Aaahh...MavsKikiNYC, where would we be without your witty responses and sense of humor? [img]i/expressions/anim_roller.gif[/img]

With or without, MT, we all know where you'll be--kneeling in front of Antoine, mouth agape.

[Drbio]

OMG Kiki......LOL!!!!!

[Male30Dan]

Originally posted by: MavKikiNYC

With or without, MT, we all know where you'll be--kneeling in front of Antoine, mouth agape.

I nominate this quote for post of the quarter... Kiki, be ready for your speech at Sike's award show!!!

[MightyToine]

Originally posted by: MavKikiNYC

With or without, MT, we all know where you'll be--kneeling in front of Antoine, mouth agape.

Hmph! Good one. [img]i/expressions/moon.gif[/img]

[GP]

Does anybody have a problem that he seems extremely happy to be playing for arguably the worst franchise in professional sports today? He was angry to be traded to a squad expected to challenge for a title but is happy to go to the Hawks. Like Murphy and Erica said he is a nutcase and completely delusional. You know, I was a fan when the Mavs were good in the 80's, when they were the laughingstock of the NBA in the 90's and again when they became good in the 00's and I cannot ever remember having as goofy a player as him on the roster. For those of you Antoine fans who weren't here for the good times and the bad times I say go be a Hawks fan and enjoy the 50-60 loss season. For one, I am damned glad those days are long gone here.

[MightyToine]

Originally posted by: EricaLubarsky

How can you not take a jab at him for this remark. He showed tremendous class off the court but he is clearly delusional about his scoring ability.

You Misunderstood his answer. He is basically saying that he feels more comfortable being one of the top two options on a team offensively than what he was in Dallas where he was the third/fourth/fifth option.....

That's what he was talking about.

[Male30Dan]

Originally posted by: GP
Does anybody have a problem that he seems extremely happy to be playing for arguably the worst franchise in professional sports today? He was angry to be traded to a squad expected to challenge for a title but is happy to go to the Hawks. Like Murphy and Erica said he is a nutcase and completely delusional. You know, I was a fan when the Mavs were good in the 80's, when they were the laughingstock of the NBA in the 90's and again when they became good in the 00's and I cannot ever remember having as goofy a player as him on the roster. For those of you Antoine fans who weren't here for the good times and the bad times I say go be a Hawks fan and enjoy the 50-60 loss season. For one, I am damned glad those days are long gone here.

Well this isnt about winning or losing this year for Walker... This is about having enough PT and shots to garner another large contract... Hell he could put up 30 and 10 and still not get another max contract, but I do see him playing his ass off to get a good bit more than the MLE... Thats all this is about GP... Money!

[Male30Dan]

Originally posted by: MightyToine

You Misunderstood his answer. He is basically saying that he feels more comfortable being one of the top two options on a team offensively than what he was in Dallas where he was the third/fourth/fifth option.....

That's what he was talking about.

That's what he wants everyone to THINK hes talking about, but in reality, its his future payday that makes this trade so good to him... He can rack up stats in Atlanta and then sign on with a team in a better position to win for a nice payday...

[MightyToine]

GP, he is happy because :

1.) He will be the #1 option on that team

2.) Atlanta will have the money(not the MAX, though) to re-sign him should he perform well which I think he will....

3.) He can do his shimmy again..

4.) Did I mention him being the #1 option? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

[MightyToine]

Originally posted by: Male23Dan

That's what he wants everyone to THINK hes talking about, but in reality, its his future payday that makes this trade so good to him... He can rack up stats in Atlanta and then sign on with a team in a better position to win for a nice payday...

Hmmm....That's also another plausible possibility, Male23Dan. Could wind up being the case. Who knows?

[MavsFanFinley]

Does anybody have a problem that he seems extremely happy to be playing for arguably the worst franchise in professional sports today?

Ever hear that saying...making the best out of a bad situation? Why go there just to pout, talk to the media about how shitty life is, and ask what he ever did to be sent to freaking Atlanta?

I'd be looking for any and all positives as well.

[GP]

Well I think that sucks. He could have been a very, very good player in this league if he would have had good coaching. It may be too late for him if that is the way he feels. I really thought his game was turning a corner until they moved him to the 5. When he came into the league he had a damned good post game, excellent defensive skills and the desire to win. Now, I just don't know. Pitino and O'Brien ruined his career IMHO.

[Male30Dan]

Personally, I think Walker is in a GREAT situation... He can show that he can lead under adversity, he can position himself as an all-star (again), he can pour in stats due to poor talent around him, and ultimately, all of those possibilities can lead to a very large payday that can allow him to finish out his career with a positive spin... Personally, I think he will fail miserably at making his team better, but will accomplish all other goals listed above... Good for him... So long as he isnt hurting Dallas' chemistry, I hope he gets the big contract and is successful from here on out!


Edited for spelling fix!

[jayC]

It would be nice if ape to criticism in stride too. Walker was a good player while on board, but it has to make you wonder when he said my supporting cast. It was just a bad fit in Dallas. He had no reason to be bitter nellie made him the focal point of the offense the first quarter of the season. Atlanta could be a sleeper team out east.

[DubOverdose]

The best thing about this trade is Walker can only make Atlanta better...I mean, could they be any worse than they were last season? I'd like to see Walker score 30ppg on 40 shots next season...that could be a stretch for him though since it would require him to have Kidd's offensive skills

[Nash13]

Walker could also very well stink it up next year. He will be doubled and tripled by opponents much like Terry. But at least Terry had Rahim(before he was traded) and Stephen Jackson. Walker has no one but Harrington, and he's not good enough to average more than 17ppg.

[V2M]

He's well-trained by his agent. May be he is more coachable off-the-field [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

[Murphy3]

Originally posted by: DubOverdose
The best thing about this trade is Walker can only make Atlanta better...I mean, could they be any worse than they were last season? I'd like to see Walker score 30ppg on 40 shots next season...that could be a stretch for him though since it would require him to have Kidd's offensive skills

He already has Kidd's shooting touch.

[Male30Dan]

Give Walker a break Murph...

Kidd shot less than 40% last year, is a career 40% shooter, and has had a total of 5 years in which he shot under 40%

This is for a guy that gets a LOT of his buckets on layups...

Walker shot 43% last year, is a career 41% shooter, and has had a total of 2 years in which he shot under 40%

This is for a guy that takes a LOT of threes per year, (5 per game throughtout his career compared to 3.6 for Kidd)...

Kidd needs some work just to get to Walker's level!!!

[Big Boy Laroux]

yes, classy thing to say.

yes, he is delusional about his abilities.

yes, he is the type of player that fits in better with a bad team that has no other scorers.

[Drbio]

Yes, it is better he is gone.

Yes, we all look forward to the day he takes his retard fan with him.

And of course.....yes. Very well. I'll have a Bloody Mary, a steak sandwich and a... steak sandwich

[Big Boy Laroux]

ha ha. nice one. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

[Murphy3]

Originally posted by: Male23Dan
Give Walker a break Murph...

Kidd shot less than 40% last year, is a career 40% shooter, and has had a total of 5 years in which he shot under 40%

This is for a guy that gets a LOT of his buckets on layups...

Walker shot 43% last year, is a career 41% shooter, and has had a total of 2 years in which he shot under 40%

This is for a guy that takes a LOT of threes per year, (5 per game throughtout his career compared to 3.6 for Kidd)...

Kidd needs some work just to get to Walker's level!!!

You're splitting hairs.

[Male30Dan]

Hahaha...

Docs post is still in my head, so I will bring that analogy here...

Ultimately, your right, because they both stink like shit when shooting is concerned!!!

Edited to clarify!!!