Reason Bill Walker sat, not as announcers suggested to test how he'd respond

[KGamblePreBigContract]

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/10/15/rondo_is_happy_with_this_exercise/


"Walker, who had right knee surgery during the offseason, was given the night off because of soreness. "I just wanted to make sure it doesn't get out of hand," Walker said."

Not trying to make too much out of this, but good to recognize the kid still has some lingering effects from the summer surgery, that with time hopefully will get better.

I know one (I think it was pre-draft) interviewer asked Bill Walker if it is true that his knee injury actually ends up producing a stronger knee because you need to build up all the muscles/tendons around the knee that normal knees don't rely on as much.  Bill Walker confirmed that is what he was also told. 

The announcers suggested Doc sat him to see how he'd respond and if he'd stay positive, but per this quote it looks like the real reason is that he requested to sit as a safety precaution.

[Reggie's Ghost]

I think the most eyebrow raising thing is that HE seems to have been the one who asked to sit.  For a player who has so much passion, it seems odd to imagine him volunteering to ride the pine just as a precaution.

I'm not one to freak out about things like this, but my antennas are up for sure...

[jpd985]

Better safe than sorry.

[yall hate]

I think the most eyebrow raising thing is that HE seems to have been the one who asked to sit.  For a player who has so much passion, it seems odd to imagine him volunteering to ride the pine just as a precaution.

I'm not one to freak out about things like this, but my antennas are up for sure...

I look at that as a good thing.  He isnt going to risk his chance of contributing over a meaningless game.  If his knee has been hurting and he knows he is lacking in the explosiveness or he is creating an unnecessary risk for himself, I say good for him for recognizing when to reign it in. 

[Kwhit10]

I think the most eyebrow raising thing is that HE seems to have been the one who asked to sit.  For a player who has so much passion, it seems odd to imagine him volunteering to ride the pine just as a precaution.

I'm not one to freak out about things like this, but my antennas are up for sure...

I look at that as a good thing.  He isnt going to risk his chance of contributing over a meaningless game.  If his knee has been hurting and he knows he is lacking in the explosiveness or he is creating an unnecessary risk for himself, I say good for him for recognizing when to reign it in. 

I agree.  Young guys usually will try and play through pain to prove they can make a team.  I'm glad he had the honesty to say "hey you know what I had surgery my knee is a little sore, let me sit this out so it does not escalate."

Good for him.

[celts55]

I think the most eyebrow raising thing is that HE seems to have been the one who asked to sit.  For a player who has so much passion, it seems odd to imagine him volunteering to ride the pine just as a precaution.

I'm not one to freak out about things like this, but my antennas are up for sure...

I wouldn't get too worked up. I don't know that he asked to sit as much as kept the coaching staff up to date on his condition. Could have been as simple as Doc asked "how's your knee". A little sore. So they gave him the night off.

[Atzar]

Fair enough.  What about Giddens?  Or was Doc just trying to give Miles a chance to show something?

[Chris]

Fair enough.  What about Giddens?  Or was Doc just trying to give Miles a chance to show something?

I think seeing Miles had a lot to do with it.  I wouldn't heve been surprised if Walker played less minutes (or sat) anyways, just so they could see Miles.  Generally the best way to look at multiple players in the preseason is to give them each turns to play major minutes in particular games.  It gives them more of a chance to build some chemistry, and get in the flow, more than having two or 3 guys splitting the minutes in an individual game.

[celts55]

Fair enough.  What about Giddens?  Or was Doc just trying to give Miles a chance to show something?

I think seeing Miles had a lot to do with it.  I wouldn't heve been surprised if Walker played less minutes (or sat) anyways, just so they could see Miles.  Generally the best way to look at multiple players in the preseason is to give them each turns to play major minutes in particular games.  It gives them more of a chance to build some chemistry, and get in the flow, more than having two or 3 guys splitting the minutes in an individual game.

On that topic, I must admit, I've been less than impressed with Miles so far. I have a feeling he's the one to go.

[moskqq]

I was disappointed in Miles performance despite extended minutes.  I've yet to see his explosiveness considering his past world-class athleticism.  He also seems too rusty, lacking in instinctive moves to rebound or otherwise pursue loose balls.  I did expect that he'd have a better offensive performance as well.  On his one inside move for a layup, the play developed so slowly that Darius seemed more inclined to accept an "OLD-AGE" pension rather than a guaranteed contract.

In saying this I am well aware what Darius could mean to this team if he could return to form. The extended EFFORT seems to be lacking!

[bboncorr26]

this kid looks great and i hope they handle him with kid gloves all season. my only real concern is we just don't see him score anything when it's not a dunk or close around the basket. i suspect that will only improve with age as his attitude seems to be just aggressive enough but not in a way that could hurt his team. walker seems to have that athletic ability which Gerald has but the awareness and man defense that Gerald was missing.

the craziest part of us even getting him is he was ranked top 3 coming out of HS. he was top 3 on Oden/Durant class. the rankings changed depending on the scout. he was not only ranked that high but he graduated a year early. having that extra year in college should have really helped him. this kid should develop into a stud. i held my reservations with gerald green simply because i didn't see the attitude he needed to match his playing style. i definetly made it known i though trading Joe Johnson was a mistake and people would be wrong getting on Jefferson so early in his career.

i'm not saying i get them all right because i was one of the first saying play the Community College kid more, man did that one flop. but i just see it in this kid. the awareness, attitude, body size, and skills match up to him becoming a great player, one day.

[JR Giddens]

Bill Walker is not a good shooter from what I saw at K-state but he always jumps outside of the box and tries to leap over players for dunks. He can leap over a lot of players shoulders so he'll make highlight reels this year.

[LarBrd33]

Maybe he sat, because he's afraid of LeBron killing him after he acted a fool.

I'm not sold on this Bill Walker hype.  The guy threw down a couple dunks... whoopy.