Since 'Toine's broke, should we feel bad?

[TitleMaster]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Former-Celtics-star-Antoine-Walker-is-broke-and-?urn=nba,198509

Ok, I don't feel bad at all. In fact, I'm astonished because I know how hard it is to make that kind of income and so when one actually earns it, it's better to party on a quarter of it, post-taxes, then all of it at once.

But on the flip side, will this motivate him to get back into shape and join the C's as the 12th man off the bench?

[lostjumper]

1. No. The man made something like 90 million in contract dollars and endorsements. He has gambling and money issues, nothing that deserves our pity.

2. I almost used the "report to moderator" link on your idea of him re-joining the celtics. The guy is out of shape and done nothing for the last 5 years. I'd rather give gerald green another shot than toine. besides, who would he replace, and why bother the chemistry? Not a smart idea.

[Donoghus]

The guy squandered the money himself and surrounded himself with people who only wanted one thing; his money.  Supporting 70 people in one way or another?  I mean, come on.  Use some common sense here.

He should've either educated himself about how to handle his wealth or found legimiate financial advisors to help him out. 

I don't feel bad for activity like this:

"[Walker] liked to move in an outsized entourage; his mother estimates that, during his playing days, he was supporting 70 friends and family members in one way or another. And speaking of his mother, he built her a mansion in the Chicago suburbs, complete with an indoor pool, 10 bathrooms, and a full-size basketball court. [...]

Living at the Bishops Forest condominium complex in Waltham during the Celtics season, Walker turned the pavement surrounding his home into a virtual luxury car lot — two Bentleys, two Mercedes, a Range Rover, a Cadillac Escalade, a bright red Hummer. Often, the vehicles were tricked out with custom paint jobs, rims, and sound systems at considerable added expense. He also collected top-line watches — Rolexes and diamond-encrusted Cartiers."

[nickagneta]

The only thing I feel bad about is that I didn't become a personal friend of Toine's while he was playing here cause Lord know's if he had me on his payroll, I wouldn't have squandered the money he gave me.

[Donoghus]

Also, when you're facing felony check fraud charges? Is there anyone else to really blame?

Antoine brought a lot of this upon himself.  

[Celtic]

Initial sympathy cause he was a Celtic, but then none, he can sell of his property, pay his debts and still probably by a great house and get a real job or play over seas.

[kenmaine]

I always hated his game, but thought he seemed like a decent person.
Hope he comes out of this OK.

[RAcker]

Whether or not I should feel bad is beside the point I think.  I feel bad for anyone that does this to themselves.  I hope he gets his situation straightened out.

[Eja117]

I feel bad for the people he owes money to

[Celtics17]

I think of the movie "The Edge" or at least I think that was the name of it. Anyway, it's where Anthony Hopkins tells Alec Baldwin "never feel sorry for a man who owns a plane". I dont know that Antoine owns one or ever has but he has certainly been paid enough to have. I am sorry but there is no way I can feel sorry for him for being broke! Now, if he had to go play for the Lakers just to put food on the table, then I might feel sorry for him.

[xmuscularghandix]

CSN should bring him in to do work for them, i'd love to hear Antoine talk about the game.


EDIT: just NOT in the "MOHEGAN SUN" studio, keep him in that new one or in the garden.

[JSD]

I feel bad for Antoine. He obviously messed up over the years and probably didn't know how big of an issue it was until it was too late. I would love to see Antoine sell his assets, pay of his debt (if still possible), go to counseling, take some business courses and transition into coaching at the college level (perhaps an assistant somewhere?). He still has earning power, I hope to read a "How Toine turned it around" article in a couple of years.

[yall hate]

I feel bad for the children who his charities helped and could have helped in the future. 

I dont feel bad for him, because those were his decisions.  He needs to pay for the consequences of his stupidity (even if he was just trying to take care of family and friends)

[Bahku]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Former-Celtics-star-Antoine-Walker-is-broke-and-?urn=nba,198509

Ok, I don't feel bad at all. In fact, I'm astonished because I know how hard it is to make that kind of income and so when one actually earns it, it's better to party on a quarter of it, post-taxes, then all of it at once.

But on the flip side, will this motivate him to get back into shape and join the C's as the 12th man off the bench?

'Tonie is gone, and he has no one to blame but himself. When a young man is given the talents and opportunities he's been given, and squanders them away so effectively, then he needs to man-up and face the consequences. There's no way he will ever wear green again, unless he joins the Army, which might not be a bad option for him at this point ... at least that way he'd gain a little integrity in the process. It's a shame, because if he had set his mind and his heart to it, he could have been a great ball player.

[ToppersBsktball10]

I don't care one bit, sucks for him. Shouldn't have been such an idiot.