mrsister

What do you guys think of Thomas' decision not to let Pierce and Walker play many minutes? Pierce had 18 minutes but only because it went to a second overtime, and Jordan was tired. Walker only had 9 minutes. He scored 6 points. Jordan played 36 and scored 20. Do the math. I'm not saying Jordan shouldn't have played, but 9 minutes to an All-Star in a contest that went to two overtimes is ridiculous. Ilgauskus only got 4, but I'm assuming that was because of his foot. If it wasn't, then Z and Cavs fans have reason to be upset, too. If Walker's knee was bothering him, then I'd understand, but knowing Walker, I doubt that would prevent him from playing, especially in Jordan's farewell game, since they're close.

The All-Star game is for the fans to see the best of the best play together on the same court. Thomas' comment that it's his team, and he can play who he wants just doesn't cut it. It's not his team. The fans and coaches put that team together. I wonder how Rick Carlisle or Byron Scott would have distributed the minutes.

aquaitious

To tell you the truth I don't care. I feel bad for them, I mean at least give all of them 15 minutes.

Lets look at the bright side. Pierce and Twan all agree that its Jordans show (that night), and they didn't care how much they played.

And Twan is stepping up for Brown saying that he should play more minutes, and directing it to OB.

Not to mention both our stars got a 6 day rest.

Big John

I'm delighted. Walker should have not been playing anyway. He should have been resting his knee for the games that count.

jvanbusk

I agree with this, but probably not for the same reason. I don't think Walker is good enough to be included in the All-Star game. I think it was a joke that he was voted on to the all-star game, and he made himself look silly in the 3 point shootout.

mrsister

The 3 point shootout was a bad idea, but being voted as an All-Star by the coaches is not a joke. Walker has matured. All anyone can see is his past and his ill-advised threes. He has become a true leader of the Celtics. He's stepped aside and let Pierce have the spotlight because he knows Pierce is better at doing some things. Not many stars can do that. Meanwhile, he's still contributing every night and motivating the team. He's a good rebounder, low-post player, and passer. He's also playing better defense. His game is not pretty, but it gets the job done. With more experience and guidance, he can become better and better. His stats aren't as high as they have been, but when you have a guy like Pierce on your team, your numbers are bound to be cut into.

Plus, you have to admit the East is pretty shallow when it comes to power forwards. Walker is the most versatile one. There's a difference between liking a player and recognizing what he brings to the floor. That's probably why Rasheed Wallace wasn't on the team. The Blazers are one of the hottest teams right now, and they had no representatives.

Big John

agree with mrsister. Walker is not great at doing any single thing, but very few players can do as many things well. If he were a step quicker on defense, he could easily be a big point guard a la Magic Johnson. He makes the players around him better.

c_dog

Walker did not belong. That's exactly what I said a few months ago. I also said that he would just embarrass himself in the 3pt shootout. Walker just isn't quite as good as the best players in the league. Not to mention he's injured.

You want to know who should have taken his spot? Shareef. There's a versatile PF for ya. And there's also Kenyon Martin, who is an excellent PF as well.

As for Pierce, he would have gotten more minutes if Jordan wasn't there. The guy had to fight with Jordan, T-Mac, and VC for a spot, no wonder he didn't get minutes. He played well, though. I'm satisfied.

Big John

Not Shareef. He joins Andre Miller, Vince Carter and a few others on my top ten overrated list. But Kenyon Martin is a definite possibility. Certainly a healthy Martin is better than an injured Walker, particularly as a pure power forward. Martin is a better rebounder. But Martin isn't going to bring the ball up under defensive pressure or find open teammates the way Walker does.
Martin has the luxury of playing with Kidd. Walker doesn't.

jvanbusk

Any top ten overrated list should be topped with the man at question in this thread: Antoine Walker. Everyone is forgetting that he has one of the worst FG% for a PF, probably in the history of the game. He still takes way too many ill-advised threes. Often times he can be characterized as a lazy defender and rebounder. Sure he gets his stats, but he's never been about team play. I'll take your word for it that he's shown to be a better team player this year, but going by what I saw in the game against the Pistons he was not a team player. When you miss 15 of your 16 shots or whatever the percentage is, that's not being a team player. Something is wrong there even if you are hurt. If the shots aren't going down you've got to look to pass more. This PF that isn't attempting as many bad 3 pointers is still attempting nearly 8 a game. For a power forward that's way too many. He shoots 62% from the free throw line which is below average. He leads the league in technical foul calls. Which is quite amazing considering Rasheed and Ron are in the NBA. Who do I replace Walker with on the all-star game roster? Let's talk Kenyon Martin. Shareef Abdur-Rahim? Ron Artest? Jalen Rose? Ray Allen? Sam Cassell? The list is long and distinguished...

Big John

Well, Jvanbusk, you must not see Antoine play very often. He is better than any of the players on your list. And as you point out, he gets no coddling from the officials (unlike certain other "stars" on the NBA).

aquaitious

I almost never look at the stats, numbers are just like icing on a cake, you don't need them. You look at the player and what he does to the team. If he shoots 1-20, has 2 assists, 5 rebounds. doesn't mean he's a bad player, especially after one game. The guys is one of the best motivaters (is that a word) in the NBA. He's a great player, and many people wouldn't even consider trading Twan for any other PF. Well maybe TD or KG, but that will never happen, not to mention I can't even invision anyone else on that PF spot instead of Twan. Belive me jvanbusk, if you were a Celtic fan you'd love him.

jvanbusk

You've got to be kidding me. Boston would jump at the chance to take not only Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett, but they'd also take Jermaine O'Neal, Chris Webber, Dirk Nowitzki, Amare Stoudemire, Nene Hilario, Pau Gasol, and Ben Wallace for starters. All of those players are more valuable than Antoine Walker. Some people (like me) would choose Kenyon Martin, Rasheed Wallace, and Shareef Abdur-Rahim over Antoine Walker. To say that there no PF's in the league that people wouldn't consider trading Toine for is absolutely ludacrous. And sometimes stats don't lie. If you have a 1-20 shooting night, that's going to be a god awful night for you. There's no getting around that.

I also forgot that motivation = the number of technicals a player receives. Thank you for clarifying that for me.

aquaitious

99% of Celtics fans wouldn't take anyone of those guys you mentioned.

1-20 shooting night one night. great players have off nights.

About the technicals/motivation thing, I can tell you two things. Major things

1: Pierce had 46 points vs the Nets one game, in the second half.

2: Pierce woke up after Twan yelled at him. (Nets, greatest comeback in NBA playoff history).

jvanbusk

99% of Celtics fans could be officially be enlisted into a mental hospital if they chose Antoine Walker over Chris Webber or Dirk Nowitzki. There is no comparison between these players. Jermaine and Ben are better in most fans minds. Amare, Pau, and Nene have the potential to be superstars in the NBA. Even if you think Walker is very good, which I don't, he's no superstar.

Antoine Walker over Dirk Nowitzki or Chris Webber. That's comical, in my honest opinion.

1 night of motivation eh? Kind of like 1 night of off night shooting? Let's not forget that Antoine sports probably one of the worst field goal percentages in the history of the game for a PF. So he must have more than one off night shooting from the floor.

Tom