Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
“He’s definitely looking to go into training camp, but he knows it’s not going to be a guaranteed contract,” said [Walker's uncle] Chico. “He’s going to have to go in and make a team, and he understands that. That’s where he is in terms of his conditioning. He knows he has to go in there and earn a spot. Nothing’s going to be given to him regardless of what he’s done in the past.
“I think the main concern is that this other stuff is going to follow him around. Is that going to be a deterring factor for a lot of teams? Hopefully not because basketball-wise, I still think he has a little bit to give to the game. But he has to go in and he has to show that. Nothing’s going to be given to him at this point.”
Jess Camerato/WEEI: Antoine Walker trying to learn from mistakes
The other stuff... like his gambling debts and the various legal problems stemming from said debts?
Antoine is trying REALLY hard to come back to the NBA. As Jess writes... he's even gone back to Rick Pitino to work out and shed some weight.
So if he's really serious about it... maybe there's someone out there willing to watch him work out and sign him to a non-guaranteed minimum deal. And before you get any crazy ideas... I'm not even entertaining the possibility of a return to Boston. Don't even try that.
It's still stunning to believe that Antoine NEEDS work. He's broke... even though he made $108 million over his career.
You know... I once wrote this line after the 2008 trade between Memphis and Minnesota that involved Antoine:
And then there's Antoine. Oh 'Toine... you've gone from All Star to journeyman in such a short amount of time. I only hope your obscene amounts of cash can help comfort you as your career limps to an end.
Guess not.
Good luck Antoine... It would actually be nice to see you back in the NBA.
The rest of the links:
WEEI: Ortiz fine with Shaq being "bigger Papi" | Herald: Americans in zone | Globe: Spain's Calderon out of Worlds with leg injury | CSNNE: Rondo sits, but he's OK | Celtics Hub: Figuring out Rondo's DNP | NSS: Perk-dicament | Celtics Town: Caption this: Nerd Swag