« on: August 30, 2008, 07:02:46 PM »
http://blogs.metrowestdailynews.com/celtics/?p=1851WALTHAM = After a largely quiet summer at HealthPoint as Celtics players rest up from the title run, things have gotten a bit busier of late. Rajon Rondo, Tony Allen and Glen Davis have been around for a few days here and there, while yesterday rookies J.R. Giddens, Bill Walker and recent signee Patrick O’Bryant were all practicing on the court.
While Giddens returned to the practice facility this week for the first time since he was introduced to the media the week after the draft - instead, choosing to go back to Dallas and New Mexico to work out during the summer amid an unusually long contract negotiation for a first-round pick - Walker has been on the parquet since shortly after knee surgery in early July.
“It was nothing major,” said Walker, who had two major surgeries on his knees (one on each) before leaving Kansas State following his sophomore season and had another tweak during predraft workouts. “It was made out to be more than it was. Just a simple scope. That’s what it is. Everybody over here knew what it was going into it.
“I’ve been here for (about) two months. Just working out every day. Just rehabbing it and getting it better. Getting it in as best shape as possible.”
Walker, whom Celtics executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge deemed a candidate for European League duty at the time of the draft - “At the beginning, we were thinking that maybe we might send him overseas for a year, but the more we saw him working, the more we saw him here, it was evident that we wanted to keep him here.” - said his presence of Waltham may have helped the Celtics to make him a more immediate part of their plans.
“Being here makes it a lot easier (for the team to evaluate),” he said. “You can see how someone progresses every day. … I never felt (I had to prove my health). The first time I came in, they told me that I didn’t have to rush anything. Just rehab, and work hard every day, and things will take care of themselves. That was kind of soothing to hear, that I didn’t have to rush back, so it was kind of nice.”
Like Giddens, Walker signed last week. But unlike his fellow draft choice, Walker said he did the bulk of the contract work himself.
“You have some consultation,” he said, “but it’s not as hard as it seems, or as people make it out to be. You just stop being lazy and just read. It’s that simple. … I thought I had a unique opportunity. Why not read over it and do it myself? The organization was very helpful and brought me in on the process. I was thankful for that.
“I am always asking a lot of questions, trying to find things out.”
Walker reiterated the stance from his introductory press conference that he does not feel entitled to anything at this level.
“I am not a proud guy,” he said. “This is Paul (Pierce’s), KG (Kevin Garnett’s) and Ray (Allen’s) team. I am just trying to be as helpful as I can. … They are all pro players. I know they are going to work extremely hard. My job is to try to keep up with them. Just try to ourwork them and try to earn their respect so I can be a guy they can count on.”
Pierce did show up one day this summer and shot around with Walker. The second-round pick was impressed: “That guy’s unbelievable. You get a taste of how good guys are. I didn’t know he could shoot it that good.”
***
Though a cheerful Giddens seemed relieved to be back in the Boston area, he said he never doubted that his contract situation would get worked out.
“I made sure (his agents) knew that I wanted to be here. Why wouldn’t I want to be here? I didn’t care what they were going to give me, I was coming here. I didn’t matter. Why would I want to go anyplace else when I could come here with such a historic organization? Why not watch Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce, and KG - the greats - and watch them and what they do? That’s what I am here to do - be a sponge and a student.”
Giddens said the hardest part of the last few days has been the driving.
“Everywhere you turn the streets are going in all different directions,” he said. “I just keep saying ‘Sorry, sorry. I am new here.’ I am just trying not to kill anybody.”
***
Apparently making good on his vow to ramp up his work ethic and prove himself after two dismal seasons in Golden State, O’Bryant had a long individual workout with Celtics assistant coach Clifford Ray. The workout focused on shooting from the post all the way out to the top of the key and left the slender 7-footer with a sweat-soaked shirt.
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Unlike last season, when many of the components of the new team arrived shortly after Labor Day to begin their clandestine workouts and bonding, the long championship run will likely keep most of the team away until about a week before the Sept. 29 Media Day.
« Last Edit: August 30, 2008, 07:18:16 PM by incoherent »
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