Veteran Walker keeps faith in Wolves

Antoine Walker has experienced both ends of the NBA spectrum. He was on an NBA champion in Miami. He has also been on some of the worst teams in league history.

So he knows what he's talking about when he says the Timberwolves will prove to be much better than the team's record currently indicates.

The Wolves (3-20) are one of nine teams to start an NBA season with three or fewer victories in their first 23 games. In 2004-05, Walker was on an Atlanta team that started 3-20 and ended 13-69 (the Hawks were 10-41 when Walker was traded back to Boston that season). Walker was a rookie on the 1996-97 Celtics, who won only five of their first 23 games and wound up with 15 victories.

This Wolves team is much better than those two, Walker said Tuesday.

\"From top to bottom, there is much more talent here,\" Walker said. \"No question about it. We are talented enough to win right now. We just have to believe that.\"

As a rookie, Walker was the leading scorer on a Boston team that included the likes of David Wesley, Todd Day and Rick Fox. In Atlanta, Walker was part of a lineup that included Al Harrington, Josh Childress and Josh Smith.

\"This team has four guys who can score in double figures on a regular basis,\" Walker said. \"There are pieces here. This team can compete. We just have to believe we can win. We do that, you can get yourself on a roll.\"

Walker isn't saying the Wolves are great team, but it is one that definitely should be winning more. His suggestion? Stop taking things one day at a time.

\"We have to look at a week coming up and set a goal,\" he said. \"We need to say, 'Let's get two of the next three games.' We need to put it on ourselves. Look at our losses, the way we're losing. The teams that are beating us aren't playing that much better than us. We make some bad plays down the stretch.\"


www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/12616201.html

I hope he is sincere in everything that he is saying. It could be that he's just saying this in the hope that we move him at the deadline.



However, if he's completely serious and legit... then yes, I agree that he is a great vet for our youngsters. He just needs to lay off of the massive amount of three's he takes. I wish he would post up more.

Whatever Walker's motivations are, I give him credit for being the guy that says this team can win games, from day 1. His first press conference, he said this team will be better than people thought. Whether he really believed that or not, he's at least saying that the team should win, and that they can win.

I know Barreiro rips the MN teams a lot, but when he rips everyone for praising the Wolves' efforts, he's right. I don't think this team, at 3-20, gets a pass for effort anymore. Even if you praise the effort for this 3-20 team, is it saying that this team is so bad that other teams are not showing effort yet winning more games? I think any Wolves fan who dedicates their free time that is complaining about this team right now is justified. I also think casual fans who say they won't pay attention because the Wolves can't win are justified, too.

I give Walker credit for maintaining at least the facade of wanting to win. I think too many people, players, coaches, front office, etc., are a little too satisfied with effort and not dissatisfied enough with losing.

I hope he is sincere in everything that he is saying. It could be that he's just saying this in the hope that we move him at the deadline.

College Wolf wrote:
CW, think about it....

If Walker wanted out of Minnesota, don't you think that he would make a big stink of it like Juwan Howard did?

I just have to say that Antonie Walker is not fat. I moved up to seats right by the bench in the 4th quarter and he was lookin fresh & fly with his textured brown suit and yellow shirt and had basically no pudge on his belly. I am now going to refrain from calling him \"Fatoine\" as he doesn't deserve it.

He has been nothing but great here, and I completely disagree with CW in that he is just being a \"good solider\" to get traded. He is not acting, he is being real, and I for one appreciate the way he has been a bench leader and positive overall influence on this young team this year.