Walker Broke, Planning a Return? (UPDATE: Walker files for bankruptcy)

[Apollo]

Whether it’s a cautionary tale of financial mismanagement on ESPN’s “Outside the Lines,” or his ex-fiancee putting his business in the street on VH1’s “Basketball Wives,” Antoine Walker has been in the spotlight a lot lately.

Reports have now surfaced that Walker, whose money problems and gambling debts have been well documented, is attempting a return to the NBA. His former college coach, Rick Pitino, said ‘Toine will work out with the University of Louisville squad in the coming weeks before gauging if there’s any interest from the NBA.

At 33 years old, ‘Toine was most recently playing pro ball in Puerto Rico. He last played in the NBA in ‘08 with the Timberwolves, and in his career made three All-Star teams and won a championship with Miami in ‘06.

DimeMag.com

The fact that he's getting up there in age for an NBA player, he looked washed up when he exited and he's being driven by debt collectors leads me to believe that this is going to result in regret by some owner and/or GM.

[Tim W.]

I think the only regret will be Antoine's. I don't see anyone taking a chance on him. He was never in shape WHILE he was playing. I'm sure he's too far out of shape now to even make it onto a roster.

[James Ballswin (Realizar)]

I think every NBA GM would give a min contract and a roster spot to a young player with some promise or a current NBA veteran than a disgraced former NBA player who's been out of the league for three years. Even if Walker was capable of being a 15th man, his return would cause a lot drama and a potential controversy that it would outweigh the value of his locker room presence and garbage time min.

What he's actually doing is trying to generate some publicity in an attempt to get a contract with any pro team willing to pay him a salary.

I literally think the moment he gives up on his pro career that he'd probably agree to play in a weekend local 3-3 tournament for a $1K advance and $500 per game, with a $1K incentive bonus if his team wins the tournament.

He'll be alright.

[OzRapFan]

He was semi-talented in his time except he was a volume shooter who couldn't really shoot, career F/G of .414 and .325 from downtown and he took a shit load of them, can't see any team taking a chance on him.

[Arsenalist]

He was semi-talented in his time except he was a volume shooter who couldn't really shoot, career F/G of .414 and .325 from downtown and he took a shit load of them, can't see any team taking a chance on him.

I never understood what a "volume shooter" meant, does it mean he needs to take more shots to get the same amount of points as somebody who takes less shots? In that case, he's just a bad shooter.

His shot-selection was so awful and he was such a bad outside shooter, that any other positive he brought was washed away with it. Maybe he could use that length to play some defense and help some contender out, but I don't see it.

[Raptorman]

I have a job for him. Do a clinic with every NBA team with a specific workshop for the Rookies.

Call it "Don't F@#k up like I did"

[TheGloveinRapsUniform]

I think the only regret will be Antoine's. I don't see anyone taking a chance on him. He was never in shape WHILE he was playing. I'm sure he's too far out of shape now to even make it onto a roster.

For a guy who averaged almost 20pts/8 rebs/3 asts a game for 11 years (till he was traded to miami), i think he was pretty much in shape dont you think?

I think its just sad and cruel the way these players careers are judged based on the last year or two that they played. Walker, Iverson, Glenn Robinson and most likely Turk, to name a few.

[Apollo]

Update

MIAMI -- Former All-Star Antoine Walker has filed for bankruptcy.

In Chapter 7 documents filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of Florida last week, Walker reported having $4.3 million in assets and $12.7 million in liabilities.

Walker's 2006 NBA championship ring, valued at $6,000, is included in a list of assets.

It's not the first time Walker has faced financial trouble. In November 2009, he agreed to pay more than $900,000 to settle bad check charges at three Las Vegas casinos and avoid trial on felony criminal charges.

Walker was a three-time All-Star with the Boston Celtics. He won the 2006 championship with the Miami Heat.

Walker's attorney did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

CBSsports.com

Wow, that's one wasteful story right there.

[Marz]

For a guy who averaged almost 20pts/8 rebs/3 asts a game for 11 years (till he was traded to miami), i think he was pretty much in shape dont you think?

I think its just sad and cruel the way these players careers are judged based on the last year or two that they played. Walker, Iverson, Glenn Robinson and most likely Turk, to name a few.

Antoine Walker sucked his entire career. Numbers don't tell the whole story at all with him. There was maybe one season where he was in shape. You can ask the Boston Celtics about this guy and they'll probably bash him harder than any of us will.