Walker |
After posting some of the most consistent and well-rounded
numbers in the league over the past six seasons, Celtics co-captain
Antoine Walker got a chance to bring his skills to the national stage
this season as the team made its first postseason appearance in seven
years and its first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 14. Walker
didn't disappoint, average over 22.1 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 3.3 apg and 1.5 spg
while serving as the indisputable leader on the court.
Walker has been the heart and soul of the Celtics for the
past half-decade, not only posting impressive offensive numbers but
also a consistency and durability unique to his position, averaging
nearly 40 minutes a game for his career while only missing two games
over the last three seasons. This season, he averaged a career-high
42.0 mpg. His efforts also earned him his first start in the annual
All-Star Game, at which he notched eight points, two boards and an
assist.
Walker remains busy in the offseason. In addition to
preparing for next season, Walker is active with The 8 Foundation, an
organization he founded to benefit inner city youth. This Friday,
Walker will host "Cruisin with the Captain of the C's" to
benefit the foundation.
See what Antoine Walker had to say about this season's
exciting run, the FleetCenter faithful, his charity endeavors and
more!
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Dan: First off Antoine, in my opinion you were the MVP
for the C's this year. You do so much for the team it's amazing.
Secondly what do you feel you personally, and the team as a whole need
to work on in the offseason to get over the hump next year.
Antoine
Walker: I think everybody has to come back better. I think we have
to take the summer to work on our individual games. I think we need to
sign Rodney Rogers -- he was a big piece to our puzzle. But overall,
everyone needs to take the summer to work on their individual games.
Alex Warner (Toronto): Antoine, wow what a great
turnaround for you guys this year. What do you think some of the key
factors were to one of the greatest turnarounds in sports history?
Antoine
Walker: I think we finally decided to make a commitment to play
defense. I think we benefitted from the new rules, with the zone
defense. And I think the guys making the commitment to play as one
unit, everyone knowing their role. That's why we had so much success
this season.
Jake (Randolph): How did you feel about the crowd
support during the playoffs? I was at the FleetCenter, and thought it
was tremedous.
Antoine
Walker: It was unbelieveable. It was one of the best days I've
ever experienced. To see the fans come out and support us the way they
did, I think we finally developed our own home crowd. It was
tremendous this year. It was some of the loudest I've ever heard in my
life.
Nick(Toronto, Canada): Antoine, Tell us a little about
The 8 Foundation. What is its significance in being a big part of your
offseason? Good luck in the new season. Celtics dynasty is returning.
Antoine
Walker: The 8 Foundation is my foundation I started in tribute to
my mom, being a single mom who raised six of us. I wanted to give back
to my community, in Chicago where I grew up and in Boston where I
live. Basically we just try to give back to the community in a small
way. We just want to raise enough money to make an impact. I want to
be a part of it and have people know that it really comes from the
part.
mike beverly: Hey there, great season. What do you have
going on for this cruise? Who is going to be there. I went last year
and I am going tommorrow. See ya then.
Antoine
Walker: This is a fundraiser, obviously for my charity. Right now
we have myself, Lawyer Milloy, Vitaly Potapenko, Eric Williams, Joe
Forte and our coaching staff. It's like a party, not so much like a
corporate fundraiser, so it should be a lot of fun.
Michelle winnipeg,(Canada): Hey sup Antoine. I just
wanted to say that I had a great time watching you guys play during
your season. My question is, are you guys going to bring Joseph Forte
and Kedrick Brown into the fold the next season, and if so how do you
think it would change the team?
Antoine
Walker: I think they'll fit in very well. I think those guys will
step in and be a part of what we want to accomplish. I think it is
very important for those guys to work this summer and improve their
games.
JD, Boston: Hello 'Toine. How is your daughter Crystal
doing? Is it safe to say that that last second shot to beat the Lakers
in LA was the best moment for you, personally, last season or was it
another?
Antoine
Walker: My daughter is doing very well. The Lakers shot was huge
at that moment. You always want to play well and you dream about
playing well in certain arenas. But also I think every step in your
career is different. I think this year, making the playoffs was it for
me, but the Lakers shot was up there, and it's something I'm
definitely excited about.
Chris (New York): Rumor has it that you're a big
rotisserie baseball guy -- and that you love to talk rotisserie smack.
:) How's your team doing? And what team do you root for?
Antoine
Walker: I'm a Chicago fan, but I'm in Boston though so I've
learned by watching to like the Red Sox. My team is doing well, we're
about .500. I know this is someone from the league who sent this
e-mail in.
Tristin (San Antonio): Hi Antoine. Is there anyone in
particular in the upcoming draft that you would like to join the
Celtics?
Antoine
Walker: Not really. I haven't even really payed much attention to
it because I'm really content with what we have. We have some really
good young players and with the 50th pick, we'll just have to take
what we can get.
Morgan(Santa Cruz,CA): Antione, you are definitely a
baller but where did you develop your street ball style? Not too many
big men feel comfortable doing the things you do, bringing the ball up
court, shooting threes, and juking fools out near the three point line
to get to the hole.
Antoine
Walker: I was always tall for my age but I always admired the
Isiah Thomas and Magic Johnsons of the world so I always worked on my
ballhandling. I just happened to be too big to be a point guard, but I
worked on it throughout the season and the summers to keep it up to
par.
Mike: What do you think is your biggest weakness in the
game?
Antoine
Walker: Probably my mid-range game. I feel that's my biggest
weakness right now that I want to improve on.
BARCELONA: Greetings from a Boston Celtics fan from
Barcelona, Mr. Walker. Congratulations for your excellent season. What
do you think of the new generation of European power forwards like
Gasol or Kirilenko?
Antoine
Walker: I think they're very good. I think those guys are making a
big impact in the league and what you're seeing is that those guys are
getting much better.
Chelsea G(glastonbury): When did you start playing
basketball? What other sports do you like and teams? If you weren't a
basketball player what would you be?
Antoine
Walker: I started playing at age 7. I like all the sports.
Probably a businessman. I always see myself as a suit and tie kind of
guy. I was a business major.
Mark (Worcester): Antoine, what position do you feel the
C's need most to improve upon in order to make a stronger run to the
NBA Finals? And can this improvement be done without signing a free
adgent or making a trade?
Antoine
Walker: I think we can do it with the team we have. I think if our
young guys improve and the other guys work on their game this summer,
we'll be set.
Rachel , Canada: Who do you think is the most skilled
player in the NBA at this point and time. I myself love Pierce U Kobe
and Garnett.
Antoine
Walker: I think it's a combination of guys. I think myself, Tracy
McGrady, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett. I think it's a lot of guys.
Saddy Bo (Toronto): What do the Eastern Conference teams
need to do in order to be able to compete with the West (or the
Lakers)?
Antoine
Walker: I think we can compete with them. You run against the
Lakers, Shaquille O'Neal is enormous. I think we can compete with
them, but it's hard to compete with Shaquille O'Neal and the whole
league is going to have problems with that for a long time.
chicago: What's up 'Toine. This is fat's A former
Westinghouse basketball player I played with you a couple times, most
notably an all-star game at Kennedy-King college going into our senior
year of high school. What are your plans this offseason? Are you going
to play in the Chicago Pro-Am, and if you do what are the things you
are going to work on to better your game for the upcoming season. p.s.
I admire your game, your heart and the way you have sacrificed some of
the skills you posses for the better of the team, and the better of
Paul Pierce. Keep up the hard work, blood. Your game didn't go
unnoticed at least in my eyes. See you at the pro-am.
Antoine
Walker: Yeah, I will definitely playing in the summer league and
this summer I'm going to continue to hit the weights hard and get in
the best shape that I can. When you make the playoffs the season gets
really long.
San Ramon, California: Antoine, you are the best all
around power forward in the NBA. What do you offer that a typical
powerforward doesn't?
Antoine
Walker: I think my versatility. Being about to step out, handle
the basketball and shoot from the outside. I don't play with my back
to the basket like typical power forwards do so that makes me a little
different.
Ryne Nelson (Naperville): What up 'Toine? I live near
Chicago and I've been hearing a bit about your brother Jarvis tearing
it up at Mt. Carmel High. Does he have what it takes to make it to the
NBA also?
Antoine
Walker: I think he does. I think it's just a matter of time before
he starts to hit his stride and starts to pick it up. He's 6-4 and 14
years old so he's about to get his size.
Katie: Antoine I was so proud of everything you and the
team accomplished this year! I was at the Detroit game where you guys
came back. How does it feel to have carved your own place in the famed
Celtics history? Also do you still follow the University of Kentucky
Wildcats?
Antoine
Walker: Yeah, without question I do. I still follow the 'Cats.
This year was big for us to finally make it to the playoffs for us and
to be able to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals was great for
us.
Antoine
Walker: I just want to thank the fans for supporting me throughout
this season and my career. It's been a good six years and hopefully we
can continue what we did this year as a team. I want to thank the fans
for voting me onto the All-Star team and for all their support.
