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Post by jb on Jun 15, 2006 5:36:58 GMT -5
<http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2006/06/15/walker_pierce_may_have_to_move_on?mode=PF>
{Excerpt}
The Boston Globe NBA FINALS NOTEBOOK Walker: Pierce may have to move on
By Shira Springer, Globe Staff | June 15, 2006
MIAMI -- Antoine Walker invited Paul Pierce to American Airlines Arena for the first round of the 2006 playoffs, following through on an offer he made during some regular-season trash talk. But the Heat's run to the NBA Finals has left Walker little time to talk to his friend and former teammate. It has been about two weeks since they last spoke, and Walker doesn't expect Pierce in town for Games 4 or 5. Walker, however, will certainly have plenty to tell Pierce once his offseason begins.
And talking about what it is like to participate in the Finals might give Pierce some pause about his future. Walker figures that is only natural.
When asked what advice he might give Pierce, Walker said, ``It's hard to say. He's already made a lot of money, but he has an opportunity now to sign an extension. He has to sit down with Danny [ Ainge] and the owners and really see where they want to go, if he wants to be part of a rebuilding process. If he wants to get to this level [and play for a title], he may have to move on. I don't know if he can be that patient.
``To get to this level, you've got to be deep. Look at both our teams. We're very deep teams. You've got to be talented. I don't believe [Pierce] has that other piece yet. You can't just do it by yourself. When you think of Boston, you just think of Paul Pierce solo."
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Post by jb on Jun 15, 2006 7:43:11 GMT -5
--- In Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com, JB <JB_Celticsstuff@...> wrote:
<http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2006/06/15/ walker_pierce_may_have_to_move_on?mode=PF>
When asked what advice he might give Pierce, Walker said, ``It's hard to say. He's already made a lot of money, but he has an opportunity now to sign an extension. He has to sit down with Danny [ Ainge] and the owners and really see where they want to go, if he wants to be part of a rebuilding process. If he wants to get to this level [and play for a title], he may have to move on. I don't know if he can be that patient.>>
Dear Melonhead-
You are in the Finals. Could be the only one you will ever see.
Through three games you are shooting a ghastly 40% (21-52) as a PF, you have chucked up 21 3PTers and made only 7, you've only been able to draw one foul in three games and botched the free throws, and you are turning over the ball 5 times more frequently than assisting a teammate's basket. If you were in prison with Nowitski right now, you would be folding his laundry and making his bed.
Might I suggest you shut up and concentrate on playing basketball, rather than stir the pot in Boston?
Posted by: AsteriX
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jun 15, 2006 10:00:09 GMT -5
Walker is in denial... I remember when he was back with the Celtics and playing with our kids, he couldn't say enough about how talented our team was and that he was happy to be part of such a talented team.
The players on our team are very talented. They may be young and inexperienced, but they are talented. It may take time and patience for that talent to reach its peak but I think we are well on our way to it happening.
Last year was a fluke with all the injuries. We were a lot better than our record. Also throw in ALL those close losses due to the coach's incompetence and we were a lot better than the record shows. We saw players start to emerge last year and they are going to emerge even more this year and I think the Celtics will surprise a lot of people.
Of course, we are still stuck with the same coach who thinks that defense will take care of itself while you practice the offense and the same coach who is terrible at game management but maybe he will learn and get better too.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jun 15, 2006 10:54:59 GMT -5
Right. We are better than our record indicated last year. Injuries and inexperience played a vital part in the win/loss record. Big Al will be heathy this year <crossing fingers>, Tony, Delonte, Perkins, and Gomes will be a year more seasoned and be bigger contributors, Gerald will show more promise, and Wally will have 2 healthy knees to play on.
Miami, on the other hand, has a small window of opportunity to win a title. Shaq is growing old and they don't have a replacement for him.
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Post by BCHISTORIAN on Jun 15, 2006 12:40:07 GMT -5
actually i believe it's his only chance because shaq may retire very soon. anoine just lost all my respect. he just showed his immaturity and at almost 30 you should be pretty mature. like he has done something special in miami. bench-dweller. i hope that paul will shove it down his throat the day paul wins his first championship (which will happen no later than 2008 ). ok, paul may never win a championship but at least he's class act and by the time he finishes his career will be most resultative player in the history of the most storied franchise in the history of basketball. just being that is more valuable than winning a championship on someone else's bench
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Post by goceltics34 on Jun 15, 2006 19:42:49 GMT -5
I dont see anything wrong with antoine's comments. Ainge is going to have to show pierce he's committed to getting some more veteran's on this team. That's why IMO its not a gurantee pierce signs that extension. Pierce played the good soldier last season, had his best season & where did it get us? I agree we have talented players, but their is no guarantee Al jefferson develops into the player we all expect to be, that goes for GG, and perk. That's why ainge must get some more established players around pierce.
Pierce isnt getting any younger, and im sure his patience with the organization is growing a little thin. This is a huge offseason for ainge.
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Post by eja117 on Jun 15, 2006 20:07:32 GMT -5
Wally is an established player. Doesn't mean anything. They traded Toine for Raef. Is Raef established? Then they traded back for Toine. Didn't win. That's why that logic doesn't make any sense. Toine can't possibly sit there and say the Cs need established players around PP to win a championship when PP, HIM, and Ricky D couldn't win smack when they got into the playoffs. Toine had his chance and blew it. These young guys are doing way more for this franchise now than Toine ever did (give it hope and not act like spoiled brats). Well I admit that first night Toine and Mercer and Walta and Pitino (the Kentucky crew) beat the Bulls (without Pippen) that gave me hope. It was all downhill from there. Not to mention. the fact that if PP leaves where will he go? Who will have the money to sign him? Just cause you can't do it yourself and piggy back onto a team doesn't mean you can winn a championship. Ask Barkley, Malone, and GP that. That's why you have to somewhat respect the career of maybe Reggie Miller and Stockton more.
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Post by Roadrunner on Jun 15, 2006 22:11:01 GMT -5
I am not sure 'Toine was striking back. His points were relevant. However, I wonder if he were starting, would he say the Heat are a very deep team?
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Post by Celtic17 on Jun 15, 2006 22:26:08 GMT -5
All I remeber from game 1 was AW forcing a play and getting a TO, the first time he touched the ball. I had to laugh...
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Post by jb on Jun 16, 2006 5:57:55 GMT -5
I am not sure 'Toine was striking back. I'm not either (see question mark in title). "Headline Hyperbole 1.01."-LOL His points were relevant. However, I wonder if he were starting, would he say the Heat are a very deep team? Now this is perceptive, Roadrunner. LOL II
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Post by VI_CelticsFan on Jun 16, 2006 10:18:10 GMT -5
Dear Antoine,
Why don't you focus on helping your team win a title and leave Paul and the Celtics the hell alone.
Sincerely E
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Post by pubanwo on Jun 17, 2006 8:08:01 GMT -5
LOL it's not like Walker held a press conference to let the whole world know that Paul Pierce isn't going to win a Championship with the current cast of Celtics.
He was asked a question and he gave his honest opinion....maybe he could have said "no comment" or whatever but what he said wasn't even flagrant. If anything it was borderline positive because he mentioned that Paul should sit down with Ainge AND the owners and see where they are at.
I'm sure AW would have loved that opportunity but Ainge never gave it to him.
A couple phone calls and that was it.
I don't think Ainge and AW talked more than 10 minutes the whole time they were with the C's at the same time.
DA and the owners better talk to Paul because he is the key to our future.
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Post by Roadrunner on Jun 17, 2006 9:14:55 GMT -5
JB, I definitely got drawn into the article by the headline.
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