Walker resigned to the fact he's probably out of here - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

MightyToine · 05-03-2004, 08:06 AM

Too many scorers spoiled the Mavericks' stew as losses mounted

By DAVID MOORE / The Dallas Morning News

He began the season as the Mavericks' point forward, a concept coach Don Nelson said had to work for the team to be a success.

He ended the season playing center on a team that was anything but successful.

Eleven months after advancing to the Western Conference finals, Dallas managed just one victory before it was bounced from the playoffs. Antoine Walker isn't the sole reason for that fall from grace. But the talented, versatile athlete has come to symbolize all that went wrong with the Mavericks.

More offense doesn't mean better basketball. The versatility to play three or four positions isn't always a plus if the team loses its offensive identity in the process.

The Mavericks tried. Walker tried. It wasn't a good fit. Now it's time to move on.

Walker's name will be thrown out in trade talks more than any other player as Dallas looks to improve its roster. The ex-Celtics star is attractive not only for his skill, but also because of a contract that expires at the end of next season.

"I've become very valuable," Walker said, managing a laugh. "I know that. I'm not going to lie.

"My first preference or choice will be to stay here with the Mavericks. But I know a lot of teams are going to call, and not necessarily to sign me but because I will come off the cap at a high number. I'm very aware of the business and what comes along with it."

Walker will make $14.6 million in 2004-05, then will become a free agent. He's the ideal player for a team that wants to remain competitive yet retain salary-cap flexibility as it moves forward.

If Walker moves on, it won't be because he's a bad guy. The Mavericks can only use one ball.

Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash need the ball to be effective. So does Walker. Take the ball out of their hands, and you take away what makes them special.

Antawn Jamison fit into this offensive scheme because he can generate points without dominating the ball. He also agreed to come off the bench, something he won't be so willing to do if he's around next season.

If Jamison comes back, is there room for Walker? Not unless he comes off the bench. Marquis Daniels has moved into the point forward role Nelson hoped Walker would fill. Starting center is the only position left for Walker if he returns, and he doesn't appear to have the feel around the basket or the defensive tenacity to make that work long-term. It says a lot about Walker that despite all this, he wants to come back.

"I like the situation here," Walker said. "I like being able to play with other good guys on the floor. I enjoy just being one of the guys and not having to do so much night in and night out. I do like the opportunity. But I also have to look at the future.

"I'll sit down with my agent [Mike Higgins] and see what the best situation is for me."

Walker averaged a career-low 14 points during the regular season. Five players averaged more points than Walker in the playoff loss to Sacramento.

Yet he's convinced the Mavericks are better off keeping the cast together for another season.

"Without question," Walker said. "We fared very well, regardless of what people say, against the top four teams in the Western Conference. We battled them tit for tat in the regular season.

"Honestly, I think we deserve a full training camp together. I think we know each other and where we can fit on this team. We're a very deep team. Offensively, we're a very talented team. We may have to fill some gaps defensively. But we've got a good core of guys here who can play the game."

The same financial principle that makes Walker attractive to other teams is the reason he could stay if the Mavericks don't come across a good deal

And if he doesn't come back?

"I'll be prepared for it," Walker said. "Hopefully, if I am traded, they can get something done and I'll know where I'm going in July, not October 20th like last year."

>>> Let's Also hope that Cubes doesn't make any hasty decision(aka Ainge)....Find the Best deal out there, determine if it is worth it and if not, try again at the deadline. It's as simple as that.

Oh and credit : MavsFanFinley for posting this first in the 'Antoine Walker is the worst player....blah..blah..blah' thread. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

Drbio · 05-03-2004, 10:31 AM

Don't let the door hit you where the good Lord split you Walker.

madape · 05-03-2004, 10:51 AM

We should only trade him if we get a sweetheart of a deal.

uberfan · 05-03-2004, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: madape
We should only trade him if we get a sweetheart of a deal.

We should not trade Walker and take back a lot of long-term contracts that do not help us (see TAW).

If we could manage somehow, and I don't see any feasible way right now, to get a solid backup at PG and a solid rotation member at C, then do it!

If we only get a suspect and a bunch of other contracts, I would rather keep Walker. This is a contract year. I have said several times on this board that Walker needs his own team and one of my solutions I suggested about 5 months back was for Walker to come on in place of Dirk at PF with the second unit. At that time I suggested that Best and Walker on the court at the same time would be a good mix because Best is better at the half-court style and Walker could set up inside and pass back outside if his shot wasn't there.

I am now ready for Walker and Fin to come off the bench.

MightyToine · 05-03-2004, 01:19 PM

MAVERICKS NOTES

Walker says move 'worked out great'

By Ruben R. Martinez

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

DALLAS - Mavericks forward/center Antoine Walker knows when trade talk comes up, his name could be front and center.

After the Mavs' disappointing season ended only five games into the playoffs, there is talk of changes, perhaps big changes, for the coaching staff or roster. Walker's contract is appealing to other teams because it expires after next season, and because his minutes and offensive contributions were limited this season, don't expect rumors of Walker's availability to die anytime soon. But Walker said that he isn't seeking a change of address, and that big changes might not be necessary.

"To come here with the talent level they have, I was nervous," Walker said. "I didn't know what to expect. But to average [34] minutes a game was more than what I expected. I think it worked out great. I've been on that island where it was just me and Paul [Pierce] having to do everything to win, and that's not a fun way to play."

The three-time All-Star said this Mavs team deserves another year together. That will show whether Walker truly fits in, or if he needs to find a team willing to let him be the No. 1 or 2 option, as he was in Boston.

A career 20-points-a-game scorer before joining the Mavs, Walker averaged a career-worst 14.0 points this season.

Another year together? Meaning Walker still on the team?

ONLY IF THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO DEALS WORTH DOING On Mark Cuban's part.

nowitzki_prophecy · 05-03-2004, 01:29 PM

Quote:

The three-time All-Star said this Mavs team deserves another year together. That will show whether Walker truly fits in, or if he needs to find a team willing to let him be the No. 1 or 2 option, as he was in Boston.

Fooled me once,the joke's on you,fool me twice the joke's on me... (or something like that)

LRB · 05-03-2004, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: Drbio
Don't let the door hit you where the good Lord split you Walker.

Amen!!!

basketball jonessss · 05-03-2004, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: nowitzki_prophecy

Quote:

The three-time All-Star said this Mavs team deserves another year together. That will show whether Walker truly fits in, or if he needs to find a team willing to let him be the No. 1 or 2 option, as he was in Boston.

Fooled me once,the joke's on you,fool me twice the joke's on me... (or something like that)

Fool me once , shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.

basketball jonessss · 05-03-2004, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: madape
We should only trade him if we get a sweetheart of a deal.

Walker moving on, is a sweetheart deal, no matter how you look at it.

dirt_dobber · 05-03-2004, 03:52 PM

My big question is IF we don't trade him before the season begins and wait until the trade deadline in Feb.
does he try and feather his own nest by TRYING to score a lot reverting to his volumn shooter mentality -OR-
does he bust his but via rebounding, passing etc. .......

which Walker will we see?

.

LRB · 05-03-2004, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: dirt_dobber
My big question is IF we don't trade him before the season begins and wait until the trade deadline in Feb. does he try and feather his own nest by TRYING to score a lot reverting to his volumn shooter mentality -OR- does he bust his but via rebounding, passing etc. ....... which Walker will we see? .

Hopefully the either the IR Walker or the Released Walker if we don't trade him before next season.

PubaNWO · 05-03-2004, 04:46 PM

If Walker isn't trade in the off season what is his role going to be next year and will he be above-average effective in this role??

Does he start or come off the bench?

If he starts does he play C or SF?

If he comes off the bench is he the first one off or the 2nd or last?

It would shock me if AW came off the bench and had a sniff of the 6th man award.....no way could he be that consistent.....

.....and how many minutes would he get?

basketball jonessss · 05-03-2004, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: dirt_dobber
My big question is IF we don't trade him before the season begins and wait until the trade deadline in Feb.
does he try and feather his own nest by TRYING to score a lot reverting to his volumn shooter mentality -OR-
does he bust his but via rebounding, passing etc. .......

which Walker will we see?

.

I hope, NEITHER.

FilthyFinMavs · 05-03-2004, 07:14 PM

I already have a feeling on what the Mavs are going to do. They are going to try and add a big man to the mix (Maybe Dale Davis) and try and continue to use this same squad for next season. If things don't work out Walker is shipped at the trade deadline. I don't have a problem with that because the deal that you can get at the trade deadline will be 2x times as better as the one you can get in the offseason.

MightyToine · 05-04-2004, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: basketball jonessss

Quote:

Originally posted by: dirt_dobber
My big question is IF we don't trade him before the season begins and wait until the trade deadline in Feb.
does he try and feather his own nest by TRYING to score a lot reverting to his volumn shooter mentality -OR-
does he bust his but via rebounding, passing etc. .......

which Walker will we see?

.

I hope, NEITHER.

huh? You don't want him to rebound and play hard? Gee that's kind of STUPID, you know? [img]i/expressions/rolleye.gif[/img]

Simon2 · 05-04-2004, 08:02 PM

I'm all for keeping him just because of his contract. He needs to have a limited role though. There should be another statistical category him. "Poor shot selection". How many poor shots does he take leading to the ball going to another team.