SPRINGFIELD
Travel Antoine Walker took him many places. But even the former Celtic Boston has never thought he would be playing professional basketball in Idaho.
"It's the funny thing about it," he said. "Life's trials and tribulations." I thought that I played 14-15 years in the NBA and calling it quits. This is the main reason why I am, because I didn't have the opportunity to go out on my own merits.
Walker, who played 12 years in the National Basketball Association and has spent several years in the spotlight because of serious financial difficulties, including home foreclosures and the set of questions, is back in basketball. He is a member of the feast of the NBA Development League Idaho and there his game at the MassMutual Saturday night playing Springfield armor.
"To see here is something that you don't expect. This is the first part, "said coach Dee Brown, who played with Walker as a Celtic from 1996 to 1998 Armor." "To see here shows that it is truly committed to return to the League of the good way, indicating the types of NBA he wants to work." It is not based on its reputation as an all-star three times. »
(As the Celtics fans remember, Walker was the first round of Boston sixth overall pick) in the 1996 draft. He has played in Boston until 2003, when he was wrapped in an agreement with Dallas. This market, by the way, a Delonte West the Celtics.
And then Walker
never won a ring with the Celtics, he had a helping hand by helping to create team hung the banner of the most recent. He was traded by Atlanta to Boston in 2005. This market included a sample of first round to Rajon Rondo.Since a buyout of the Memphis Grizzlies in 2009, things have not exactly passed in accordance with the Walker. The Boston Globe has reported in 2009 belonging to 4 million to creditors and that he had been charged with fraud bouncing have controls.
"It was difficult," said Walker. "It was more difficult because it is the first time I've lived." I wasn't a businessman from 100 percent. I was a professional basketball player, so I had to convert me and learn the company, to learn everything.
"It took my attention off the coast of basketball because I had so many personal issues to deal with." "It was difficult.
Walker joined the Stampede on December 10, marking points 13 in a game against Utah. He had 25 points in 33 minutes a loss in Portland, Maine on 16 December.
"Receiving my Thursday night in Maine was incredible, unexpected," he said. "People always appreciated what I had in eight years, playing in Boston." It is a feeling. It gives you more appetite back and [shows] how you missed the game.
Walker played for the Celtics, Dallas, Atlanta, Miami and Minnesota prior to redemption of Memphis. There a ring championship season 2005-2006 with the heat when it averaged 12.2 points per game.
But he is best known for the seven full seasons, he wore green as a member of the Celtics.
Walker dropped an easy 20 pounds and expected to be in pretty good shape. He works with his former University of Kentucky and the Celtics coach Rick Pitino to get ready for the D-League.
"I was sitting at home, had not done one thing had not hit a ball in six or seven months," said Walker. "Just me back in the gym."
Appendix D-League crosses on April 2 and Walker said he was willing to spend that long with the Stampede. He had opportunities to play abroad, but finds him out of the loop of the NBA.
"People still want to see if I can play," said Walker. "This is the best avenue to show people that I can play."
To reach Howard Herman:
hherman@berkshireeagle.com,
(413) 496-6253.
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