Photo. adidasAntoine Walker wasn’t with the Timberwolves last night when they got cracked in Toronto, which the team attributed to “a passport problem.” Everyone swears it has nothing to do with the fact that ‘Toine doesn’t want to play in Minnesota anymore. Whatever.
Says this from the AP:
The 31-year-old Walker is now hoping this week the Wolves will buy out his contract in time to allow him to clear waivers and join a playoff contender by Saturday, making him eligible for a postseason roster.
Walker, who is making $8.5 million this season and is scheduled to draw $9.3 million next season, does not want to give up much of his guaranteed money.
First of all, I’m just as shocked as you to learn that ‘Toine is only 31. You could’ve told me he was 37 and I wouldn’t have argued. Second, of course he doesn’t want to sacrifice any guaranteed money. I wouldn’t want to either.
Third, why does it seem like every NBA veteran who’s so much as sniffed an All-Star Game once in their career feels like they’re entitled to a roster spot on a contending team? Granted, every one of us has at one time or another worked in a crappy situation and longed for something better, but even if you’re playing for the 12-44 T’wolves, it’s still a pretty good place to be.
I’m never one to use the “You make X-million dollars, deal with it,” line, but I’m close to breaking it out here. A player like ‘Toine may not be in an ideal situation, but there are 30 NBA teams — 14 of them Lottery teams — and some of those 15 rosters spots per team have to be filled by veterans. And isn’t part of your job as a ballplayer to make your team better?
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February 28th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
GEE... swag it out! says:
Ok just saying, if Minny does buy dude out though. PLEASE HOUSTON DON’T TAKE THE BAIT! I know it seems like a good fit for a guy who can shoot the 3 and is a fatter oops bigger dude.
Still I so hope Houston does not go trying to put that bum on the squad.
3000 DON’T DO IT!
February 28th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Prof. TX says:
I’m so tired of this trend. Who doesn’t want to play for a contender? Of course you want to win a ring, but what ever happened to the idea of improving your current team instead of just jumping to one where you can ride the bench and get a ring someone else earned?
February 28th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Austin Burton says:
And what has ‘Toine done to deserve a chance at a ring? Especially when he already has one. It’s not like he’s Barkley or Ewing, near the end of a 15-year run and still ringless.
February 28th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Bust Jlaze says:
I’m SAYIN…good points brought up in this post:
1.) Dude HAS to be older than 31! I thought he was up there in retirement range…and by that I mean CORPORATE retirement age.
2.) I am SOOO sick of this “contender-hopping” foolishness…when did this start? It wasn’t until recently, like the past few years maybe, where you started seeing a team that becomes a serious contender, and then all of a sudden MAD veterans try to jump on…I think it started with the ‘03-’04 lakers? Karl Malone and Gary Payton jump onto a team that was already the favorites to win the whole thing. And they did NOTHING to help the team, they were just on for the ride.
February 28th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Bust Jlaze says:
And THEN Payton gets sent to Boston, and straight REFUSES to play, ’cause they weren’t a contender. Then he jumps on with Miami, gets a ring, and now he wants to go to BOSTON of all places now? WAAAACK!
February 28th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Kevin says:
What a douchebag!!!
And 31? Are you serious?!?! Wow!
February 28th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Logan Light says:
… and it Toine was any good, we might be more willing to accept his request. Fact is, he’s selfish, lazy, and never seems to be in shape. For a shooter, his free throw percentage is abysmal.
I haven’t talked to a fan of the NBA who likes Walker… when I play 2k8 with the Heat, I refuse to let him shoot the ball. If that’s not a mark of a bad player I don’t know what is.
February 28th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
dagwaller says:
He DOES seem a lot older. Probably because he plays like an old dude (slow, just wants to jack 3s and not play defense).
Personally, with some players, I don’t mind this trend, but guys that have been career dbags don’t deserve to play for contenders. I just hope that teams around the league are onto this guy, and judging from the fact that he’s on one of the worst teams in the league (again), that seems to be the case.
February 28th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Prof. TX says:
A good player works hard and makes his team-mates better by his skill and work ethic and his focus on the whole team getting the win.
A bad player chases personal credit, lets himself fall apart physically, doesn’t care if his own game is bad, cashes paychecks that are too big, and mostly just sits there b!tching.
I know, hard call to make, but I have to put Walker in column B.
February 28th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
K-Dizzle says:
Blaze
Hold up, playa
Malone and GP were free agents who signed with LA in the offseason. Nuthin wrong with that. Team did start out 18-3 and I still say they woulda won it all if Malone was healhty. Dude busted his leg and we “only” got to the finals. No shame in losing to Detroit and those two earned the right to chase the chip if they wanted. I’m not down with average dudes tryin to get bought out to get with a contender in the same season, but if you wanna jump to a team as a free agent for a huge paycut like GP and Malone did (vet’s minimum of 1 mil each), then more power to em
February 28th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Celts Fan says:
“And THEN Payton gets sent to Boston, and straight REFUSES to play, ’cause they weren’t a contender. Then he jumps on with Miami, gets a ring, and now he wants to go to BOSTON of all places now? WAAAACK!”
Bust Jlaze, that’s actually wrong. He signed w/ us and played here, but was involved in a midseason trade (ironically enough, for Antoine Walker) to Atlanta and refused to play THERE, then came back and resigned with the Celtics.
February 28th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Captain America says:
Firstly, this is all about posturing for a buyout. The Wolves obviously looking for the cheapest way out and ‘toine looking for max bucks.
Secondly, the Wolves are better off waiting until summer to dish ‘toine and his “team option” expiring contract. His value actually goes up after this season.
Thirdly, millionaire basketball players still have max pride and retain their competitiveness. The bench is not a source of pride and fails to satisfy competitiveness.
So, the dance is on.
February 28th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Captain America says:
The dance is also transpiring with Sam-I-Am.
February 28th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
GEE... swag it out! says:
Bust Jlaze. I am possibly wrong but I think the trend started with Clyde Drexler going to Houston. Cause correct me if I am wrong Charles Barkley then came to Houston trying to get a ring. Pippen even had a stint in H-Town if my memory serves correct. Anyway that is when I remember the whole star to a contender to get a ring thing.
Toine is a bum. LOL he does play like an old man or somebody grandaddy!
February 28th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
penske1 says:
Besides the whole wanting to be on a contender thing, why is it acceptible that a player wants to cut short a contract that THEY agreed to - especially when they are being overpaid? And on top of that…they want to be PAID for NOT playing??? I wish I could quit my contracted job and demand most of my salary for the time I wasn’t going to be working.
If it’s my team and you want out, then fine, I don’t need your lack of loyalty and integrity in my organization…but you don’t get a DIME of my money for being a quitter and a ring-chaser.
February 28th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Bust Jlaze says:
Yo celts, Payton actually suited up with y’all? For some reason, I remember that totally different. And I don’t think I wanted to believe it cause at the time, I was a GP fan and that made me mad at him…hmmm…dag I guess you would know cause you follow them cats so I won’t argue!
I think my main problem with the hopping thing is that it feels like cheating to me. Like, ok you spent 20 years tryna get a ring and failed. Somehow because you were a great individual talent in your day, you feel like you deserved a ring at least once. So rather than retire like you normally would, you opt out of your contract or beg for a buyout or whatever, and start looking for teams that look like THEY’RE going to get the ring next. That way, you get a ring for your “legacy”, and you didn’t REEEALY earn it. You may have “helped”, but just like the little girl from the Shake N Bake commercials, they were going to do it without you ANYWAY, they’re just being nice.
February 28th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
penske1 says:
On second thought, if I own the team I want damages paid to ME for an early termination that might set back my team years of building (obviously that is lessened in Walker’s case…). Whoever initiates the breach in contract should pay the damages.
February 28th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Celts Fan says:
ya Bust, it was during the dark ages, around ‘05 I think. Not a memorable time for Celtics basketball…
February 28th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
srk says:
As happy as I was that Payton got a ring I was equally disappointed that ‘Toine got one- so what’s he complaining about?
How about he just shuts up and for once tries to let his playing speak for him?
Bassy’s on some comeuppance, right? And ‘Toine is still a scrub!
February 28th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
alberto says:
‘Toine is a wack
February 28th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Jackass says:
Yo Toine, why don’t you just shoot yourself and be done with it. that way everybody is happy. I mean it!!!
February 28th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
control says:
Walker is one of my most hated players…it is just disgusting to me that a player as bad as he is somehow got PAID. The guy is fat, lazy and stupid, and is probably one of the few players in the NBA I could beat 1on1.
Now that this bitch is whining to be paid to go away, just because he’s a loser and because he needs some good players to mask how bad he is, just makes him the lowest piece of scum in the NBA. Kick this asshole out of the league, and maybe sue him for breach of contract.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
boogey banger says:
I need an agent to tell my boss that I like out of my crummy job, but I need them to line my pockets with the loot I was supposed to make this year for me to go away. I think we’d both be sitting on the curb. How do ballers get away with this? I would kill someone for Gabe Pruitt loot, and a guy making 10X that doesn’t want to suit up for a bad squad. Before I took a higher paying crummy cube job I taught Spec Ed for 24K a year. And this clown with a suspect dribble isn’t happy with his 10 mill. F him
February 28th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
GEE... swag it out! says:
This is the line of the week!….
I taught Spec Ed for 24K a year. And this clown with a suspect dribble isn’t happy with his 10 mill. F him
HILAAAAAAAARIOUS!
Boogey please let me make that my tag line for tomorrow! LOL That ish is to funny!
February 28th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
boogey banger says:
it’s all you
February 28th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
GEE... swag it out! says:
Preshate it.
No homo and all but fat boi ain’t got noooo muscle definition in that photo lol.
DIME you all could have airbrused ya boi up lol, and gave him a vein poppin somewhere or something lol. He looking like Greg Ostertag.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Manny says:
He can go back to Miamy….I mean Pat Riley’s Dog house…lol
February 28th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
doc says:
Toine is terrible anyway.Who would want him.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
jz_smoove says:
enough of this buyout bullcrap! if some dude decides he dont wanna play fot their team, bench and let them rot there. or send em home. nobody deserves to be bought out in midseason because the player decide he dont wanna play, too bad. who the eff is employee no. 8 anyway?
February 28th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
jnuh says:
I just love that this fat, lazy fuck thinks he can actually contribute to a “contending team”!
I didn’t know San Antonio was in the market for paperweights.
Owners need to take a stand & let some of these asshats rot on the end of the bench until they’re good & ready to deal them on their own terms.
Fuck Employee Number ATE the whole fucking dessert cart…
February 28th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Bone says:
How much money has ‘Toine made as a pro? Has to be well over $100 million plus all his money from Adidas. What the hell is he frettin about over another $9 million or so?
Secondly, I don’t think he grasps the concept of you have to give a little to get a little. If he wants to be released or bought out to go play for a winner, then he should have to forfeit his remaining salary. That goes for everyone of these “buyout babies”. Otherwise, Glen Taylor, Kevin McHale, Donald Sterling, and the rest of the owners should sit his ass on the inactive list or send him home like the Bulls did with Tim Thomas a few years back.
February 28th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
sam says:
i totally agree that they should jus put him on the inactive list and send his ass home. if he’s asking for close to full money in the buyout, might as well jus keep hi around and also send out a message to the other washed up vets in the league looking for buyouts to play for a contender.
February 29th, 2008 at 12:30 am
Jim says:
Of all the commercials made in the history of NBA endorsement deals…do any seem as inappropriate now as the old Employee No. 8 campaign (no love on youtube)? Yeah, ‘Toine is the common man.
February 29th, 2008 at 12:33 am
Jim says:
http://yeahthatcommercial.com/video.php?id=67
There ya go.
February 29th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
ShutUp says:
He never said he was entitled to anything. Try doing your research. He wants to play (which FYI is what he gets paid for) and when they said they need to see what the kids can do he said fine. He then sat on the sidelines and cheered his teammates on EVERY DAY. Something he has done all year.
He asked not to be active if they weren’t going to play yet he STILL sat on the sidelines cheering on his teammates.
Problem here is none of you have actually watched the Wolves at all this year so not a single one of you have any clue what you are talking about.
Walker NEVER demanded anything.
And for the stupid people Payton played for a year with Boston. He was traded during the season and came back and played the rest of the year.
February 29th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
ShutUp says:
Oh dime magazine should be ashamed of itself for the readers it has.
“Go kill himself” “Faggot” Didn’t know this magazine was run by bigots and racists and lunatics. It’s fans and supporters have issues and Dime magazine condones it. Pathetic.