If you were Pat Riley, what would you do?
Antoine Walker is “portly” - the Sun-Sentinal’s words, not ours. If you haven’t seen it yet this morning, ‘Riles is all bent out of shape because ‘Toine reported to camp in less-than-optimal shape.
Kind of funny, kind of frustrating (if you’re a Heat fan). What should Pat Riley do about it? He says it’s been a problem every year, but other than fining/suspending ‘Toine (which apparently doesn’t work) and calling him out in the papers (apparently hasn’t really worked in the past), what can he do? Is Riley expecting too much?
Let us know in the comments section below….
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October 11th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Lucky Lester says:
He should make him play 48 in their next pre-season game - then tell him afterward, “You better get into shape man, our depth is shallow, you’re going to be playing a lot.”
All the while, during the game, he should get a guy up to the sidelines to check in, a guy who would be taking over for ‘Toine, but then check in for someone else. Maybe sub him out in the last minute to get a standing O….
C’mon, as a coach, I think that’s what I’d do.
October 11th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
LongDon says:
If I were the heat, I would probably arange for there to be an “accident” on the team plane while Walker was the only one on it…maybe tell him they are going to do him a favor and fly him to a Krispy Kreme factory.
That fat ass is the most overrated player in the game, he shouldn’t be in the league at all.
October 11th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Andy Buckets says:
Pat needs to call Toine’ out. This is the NBA, your body needs to be a fine tuned machine. If Walker is showing up to camp fat then call him out on it.
We all know Toine’ was a great player, but he is starting to decline and players on the down end of their careers need every edge they can get.
You gotta call him out on it, who cares if feelings are hurt. The Heat have a decent Shaq for the next two years….if they wanna win, now is the time.
October 11th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
Gee says:
LMAO man you dudes are wild! I think Pat needs to trade for him. Lighten that salary load the Heat have, trade for a younger player who hits three pointers (cause basically that is all Toine can do …seriously) and you will get a player probably with less luggage body wise, attitude wise and otherwise lol. I mean honestly if I am Pat I am glad dude is reporting overweight. That just makes it easy to get rid of him. Don’t wave him though that would just be a crazy. At least get something in return for dude. Oh yea and send his “portly” arse to struggling team. Fa Sho!
October 11th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Coldchain says:
This is the NBA, not Gold’s Gym. If you can ball, you can ball. I don’t care if Toine has some baby fat or Durant can’t bench 185 or Paul Pierce has flabby arms. If it’s not hurting you on the court it’s not a big deal. Someone like Oliver Miller is one thing — him being fat made it so he could only play a couple minutes at a time and couldn’t guard anyone. But Toine never was a guy who depends on being quick or athletic. And how is Pat Riley gonna call out Toine when he lets Shaq’s big ass walk around overweight?
October 11th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Dime Magazine says:
Coldchain -
i hear what you’re saying, but if it’s directly hurting the team, then it’s a problem. Riley clearly thinks that a slimmer ‘Toine makes them much better, especially while D-Wade is out.
October 11th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
djKianoosh says:
I like Lucky Lester’s choice. Make him play all 48 minutes every preseason game. but as a coach I’d have a hard time playing him when the games count if he’s not helping me. If he can do what coach asks him to do, then it really doesn’t matter what he looks like.
As for trading him, it’s a catch-22. now that everyone knows he’s fat, they’re not going to want him. for example, why would the sixers trade Korver for Walker? that’s dumb. they can’t trade him just like the lakers can’t trade kobe after he made his demands. it just weakens your bargaining power.
does it matter that he’s fat? of course. he’s supposed to be a professional. this is just another one of those things that turn people off from the NBA. get into shape ‘toine, ya bum!
October 11th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
DOC says:
Tell Pat say something to Shaqs fatass and Walker would know he better be in shape.
October 11th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
Gee says:
Trust. In some sort of a package deal I promise Toine could get traded. It’s not like he can’t shoot (he just shoots a lot lol). I mean I woulnd’t trade Korver for Walker either but Toine might be worth an up and coming bench player, late round draft picks, cash or something. I am just saying don’t walk away empty handed cause to do that is just crazy. If Pat has tried all of these different methods to get his point across (calling out, money and otherwise) then you have nothing let but to either trade him, release him or shut-up and let him be fat. Pat should trade dude though for real.
October 11th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Teddy says:
Fuck man. Im a heat fan. To me Antoine been bullshittin since he got there. Stupid descisions, outta shape n all that. He hasnt really produced, he’s an NBA “veteran” that misses layups! Also I was on crutches for a month n i aint played ball for a month ina half so this shit is really gettin me mad. I feel like he takin the game forgranted. He aint even good he way past his prime n all he do is take up bench space with his old slow ass. I say cut his ass so he could be lazy on his own damn time.
October 11th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
smity says:
‘Toine has been known to miss a lay up or two…(sadly enough, so have I…)
October 11th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
Amar says:
walker is just doing the reverse hunger strike until they impliment the four point line.
October 11th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Wags says:
Wait a second, if Toine is “out of shape” that means that he was once “in shape?” I must have missed that part of his career.
October 11th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
Steven says:
Maybe Shaq can do another TV show- this time working one on one with ‘toine to trim off the fat!
Seriously make him all 48 minutes and force him to play his way into shape!
October 11th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
2 Easy says:
Lol Wags Ive never seen truer words written. Toine’s always been a tad chubby but if he’s straight up fat then I suggest killin the team wit suicides until he decides to lose the weight. If u have a cheesed off Shaq runnin suicides givin u the crazy eye I think that would be good motivation to lose weight. I like that overplayin him in preseason idea too cause its not like it matters. As to trading him, it’ll be a little harder to unload a fat toine cause if the weight affects his game then who in the hell would want him? I kno I wouldnt and that was wen he was skin…less fat. The only place he had to fall back on was Boston and they dont need his fat ass anymore lol
October 11th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
sans says:
Wait until midseason, when ‘Toine is down to 250, and send him to the Wolves for Howard or Jaric/ and any of the young’n’s who can’t get burn. The Heat need depth, youth, and some one dependable behind Haslem and Wade.
Or call up Isiah and get Nichols from them before he gets released, just so Thomas can eat up that contract like Z-Bo and Curry would eat pancakes in a competitive eating contest (which they might be better at than basketball).
Even a fat ‘Toine has some value. Take advantage of the overloaded Houston backcourt, or the Sactown front court situations. Sign and trade with Cleveland for Varejao/Pavlovic, send Damon Jones back down there. Or go straight up for Donyell.
He might start doing some suicides on his own if his name starts flying around.
October 11th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
Jah says:
If he’s such a problem, get rid of him. If not, let him be.
October 12th, 2007 at 12:40 am
giacomo says:
“fat” toine has no value. what team would actually trade something with value for him? noone.
the only way toine gets traded is if he is involved in a trade involving other heat players.
October 12th, 2007 at 1:08 am
Coldchain says:
How about getting Toine a 3rd go-round in Boston? They’re bench sucks; they could use him as the #1 option on the 2nd unit. I don’t know if the salary stuff works out though.
October 12th, 2007 at 5:46 am
heavy d says:
Speaking as a fat man, I would go with the play me the full 48 minutes in preseason. I’d get in better shape for self-preservation.
I have no sympathy for Pat Riley in all of this. He signed my fat butt to a contract that is unmovable at this point in my career. He should have made sure there was weight-related language in the contract. Also, I doubt that there is a realistic weight I could reach to make him happy.
October 12th, 2007 at 8:06 am
Riqueno from Orlando says:
Pat Riley definetly needs to trade or cut Antoine Walker. The dude can’t even play. All he does is jack up some cheerleader looking shot and i promise you he missed the backboard, rim and net at least 3 shots per game last season. He looks like he has a hard time getting out of a seat when he sits.
October 12th, 2007 at 9:37 am
Groves says:
We would all love to trade him off but his bloated contract is a definate job-stopper. Here’s what should be done:
Full Metal Jacket - tie his ass down while on a road trip and beat him with the soap in the towel.
“Order the code red”
Shallow Hal - reverse hypnotize him into seeing himself fatter than he is (shit, give him the tail too)
Living in Miami myself, I know it’s super easy to get a DUI down here. Remember Robert Hite? He was cut after being charged with a DUI (later he was found innocent).
….those are some suggestions
October 12th, 2007 at 10:43 am
girlybballluver says:
Speaking as a Heat fan, I say get rid of him. I never wanted him on the team in the first place, and I honestly can’t tell you how he’s helped us any. Jacking up ridiculous shots every chance he gets. He’s not a shooter, he’s simply a guy that likes to shoot. He has his ring, congrats for him now bounce, so we can compete for another one. I hate these over paid lazy players. It makes me so angry.
And would everyone please lay off of Shaq. He may come to camp with a few extra pounds from over the summer, but he usually slims down some. He’s not setting a bad example for Walker. Walker needs to follow Shaq’s example and learn how to play ball…or at least make a lay up!!! Let Walker become useful to the team, and maybe I’ll cut him some slack for liking food too much. Until then Riley needs to run his arse ragged!!
October 12th, 2007 at 11:08 am
Nick rogers says:
it really quite simple. Maybe Mr Walker isnt a goog fit for the Heat. or he is not the player that he one was.He is a Pro Basketball player that is paid to play ball, and with that comes the resondibilty of keeping your body in the best condition that you can all year, not just during the basketball season. he is just another example of the over paid athelete that doesnt care, He has the long term guaranteed contract, so he can do what hever he wants. Get rid of guananteed contracts for pro athletes, and then see what the fat tubby overpaid athletes do. As far as Shaq…he is just another fat overpaid black athlete that is past his prime and living on guaranteed contract, againg take away his guaranted contract and see if he show up to work as a fat boy.
October 12th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
Kudabeen says:
A coach expecting a high dollar athlete to be in shape to…That doesn’t make sense at all…Walker needs to file a grievance through the Player Union…Having his name and work ethic dragged through the mud like this has to be embarrassing…Walker has traumatized by being held up in his home and understandably couldn’t make it to the gym due to the developed Agoraphobia that is heightened by the Ecophobia from being robbed from within his “safe-place” (home). We all just don’t know the pressures this man is under. So much pressure…
Totally kidding…But the real joke is Antoine Walker and the other clown ass athletes that could give a damn about being professional and prepared to handle business. They are paid a lot of money to be prepared, what ever that takes. He can afford the cooks, the trainers, and what ever else he needs. That tells me he is just another shiftless “bball is a job” athlete…But get your dough bwoy! The checks are guaranteed as long as you show up, so hey what does he care? When has Walker ever really dedicated himself? He has always had nagging injuries that could have been avoided if he was conditioned. He isn’t the only one. I get sick of hearing, “this year I just dedicated myself to being in great condition”? I don’t respect that coming out of the mouth of a professional athlete.
Whatever…In the end he still gets paid and we still watch.
also I wouldn’t exclude Shaquille “Rest on my Laurels” O’Neal…The attitude of I’ll get in shape as the season progresses doesn’t sit well with me, especially when your big ass is suffering from knee, ankle, quad issues from all the extra weight you decided to carry into a season. That’s why I could never side with Shaq over Kobe, because Kobe was looking from the perspective, “You don’t work hard enough to lead me”. The leader should be the example and if Shaq is the example Walker gets a pass and Wade shouldn’t be working so hard to get back and Wayne Simeon should be a Co-captain on the strength of being able to miss major parts of the season with varied injuries, but keep your name on the payroll and in the program…Simeon must be an all-star in practice when he can play, because it’s so many others that don’t get all that patience from an organization that needs bodies…
I’m done my rant…
October 12th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
girlybballluver says:
Nick Rogers:
“As far as Shaq…he is just another fat overpaid black athlete”
That comment is almost offensive. Think before you type.
October 12th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
DeeNice says:
Fire his Bleep!
October 12th, 2007 at 5:45 pm
.K.i.n.G. says:
trade walker for jr smith, heat dont want walker and denver REALLY dont want jr smith (or at least George Karl) and if salaries need to match find a body on denver who sucks but has an expiring contract