Antoine Walker announces retirement from the game - NBA Update
Antoine Walker, a 12 years NBA veteran, had been persuing the dream of NBA revival by playing in the D-league for Idaho Stampede. But on Saturday night, he halted his pursuit by announcing retirement from professional basketball.
The 35 years old made the announcement in Stampede locker room after playing for 2 seasons with them. He averaged 9.5 points and 4.9 boards along with 2.3 assists in 44 games for Idaho this season, starting 17 of those.
Walker has been out of NBA since 2008 and in the last few years, he had been struggling with finances. He filed for bankruptcy on May 2010, having assets of $4.3 million and debts of $12.7 million, and it was only recently that
he managed to come out of the crisis.
The three time NBA All-Star’s career prospered with Paul Pierce, his former Boston Celtics teammate. Together the duo tried hard to revive the glory days at the Celtics, but despite being close to achieving the aim, that never
happened.Antoine was ultimately traded to Dallas Mavericks in 2003.
He came into the limelight again in 2006, when he played a pivotal role in Miami Heat’s title journey. That year Walker played all 82 games for the Heat and after struggling to make an impact earlier in the season, he really blossomed
in the playoffs, especially due to his perimeter shooting.
He played an important role in the final game by scoring 14 points to go with 11 boards against the Dallas Mavericks.
Afterwards in 2007, he was traded off to Minnesota Timberwolves and then to the Memphis Grizzlies a year later. Memphis played him in two preseason games only and after keeping him inactive for a while, waived Walker off. He didn’t
find any takers in the NBA and eventually went to play in the Puerto Rican league. For the last two years, Walker has been affiliated with the Stampedes.
His retirement brings to an end the career of yet another player, who could have achieved so much more. However, gambling and indiscipline, in both professional and personal life, always got the better of him.
Tags: