Boston.com - Former Celtics All-Star Antoine Walker will attempt a comeback with the D-League's Idaho Stampede, sources close to the situation told ESPN's Marc Stein. All that stands in the way of the 34-year-old Walker's comeback is a routine background check all D-Leaguers are subject to. Walker's background, of course, is littered with personal and financial trouble. The Globe's Shira Springer reported last year that Walker has squandered most of his $110 million-plus in career earnings and has been pursued by creditors. Walker was arrested on criminal charges in July 2009 in a case involving an $822,500 gambling debt. According to the ESPN report, Walker showed up before the start of Bobcats training camp this season in the hopes of pursuing Michael Jordan to give him a shot with the team, but Walker couldn't convince Jordan -- his close friend -- to sign him. Last year, Walker lasted only eight games in the Puerto Rican league with the Guaynabo Mets, averaging 12.4 points and 8.6 rebounds. Walker is reportedly in better shape now, but he hasn't played in the NBA since the 2007-2008 season. Scott Schroeder of AOL FanHouse first reported Walker's intention to sign with the D-League. The maximum salary for a player in the league is $25,500. The Stampede are affiliated with the NBA's Denver Nuggets and Portland Trailblazers.
Best news of the day, nay the year. I loved Antoine growing up, still ranks as my favorite Celtic. Let that sink in for a second.
Yes 'Toine basically represented everything that sucked about the NBA from the early-mid nineties to 2002ish. No defense, submarined close games with poor 3 point shooting, got about 65% out of his talent because he didn't need to play for a living after the outrageous contracts he was given, somehow blew well over $100 million on a size-able posse, and was always willing to celebrate a highlight even if the team was down 15 and losing for its 5th straight night. But I loved him, he was the fans player and that's all that mattered.
I wasn't quite old enough to really enjoy Bird or any of the other greats of the 80's, they're more legends to me than anything, passed on to me by my Dad and gushing Boston sports writers. And while I love that the current crop of Celts has made the Celts relevant again I'm a bit past the age where you can idolize players. If I was a 12 year old I'm sure I'd love Rondo, but once you hit your 20's you're a bit to jaded to love a player. One too many contract negotiations gone bad, you come to realize that you're rooting for laundry and that's it.
Really my two Celtics choices growing up where Toine or Pierce. And I hated Paul Pierce up until the first day of the 2007 season, and I won't apologize for it. It's frowned upon for sports media to talk about it now, but Toine was "the Celtic" from all those horrible teams. Toine was definitely the guy that won the building over during the few good times of the mid 90's-early 00's. He'd shimmy, smile, and relish the good games. Pierce seemed to have a constant scowl and his game consisted of nothing more than running into the lane, throwing his hands up and hoping to be bailed out. Countless isolation plays from the top of the key wore me down and turned me against him. I'm not sure if I was wrong all along about him, or if winning just finally changed him, but he has changed and for that I'm glad. He's still fairly ugly to watch but at least for the last few years I've known that he gives a shit, but he'll always be behind Antoine Walker to me.
PS: What kind of background check could the NBA or its affiliates possibly be running? Have you seen some of the people in this league? You're telling me some of the Euros aren't human traffickers?
PS: What kind of background check could the NBA or its affiliates possibly be running? Have you seen some of the people in this league? You're telling me some of the Euros aren't human traffickers?
