[剪報] Walker's game to get seasoning in summer
http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/159/sports/Walker_s_game_to_get_seasoning_in_summer+.shtml
Walker's game to get seasoning in summer
By Shira Springer, Globe Staff, 6/8/2003
CHICAGO -- Technically, summer vacation ends tomorrow for
Antoine Walker. He will sit down with personal trainer Tim
Grover and devise an offseason conditioning program. He will
begin weightlifting again. He will hit the court and practice
shooting, particularly free throws. He will hear a lecture
about the importance of a better diet. He will set a plan
for losing weight and lowering his percentage of body fat.
He will work toward strengthening his legs, particularly his
injured and oft-abused knees.
To be sure, there will still be early-morning golf outings
and late nights. Walker does have a charity golf tournament
scheduled for mid-July at Mohegan Sun. But Grover expects
the weekdays to be largely devoted to strength and
conditioning work. A few weeks from now, Walker will start
playing pickup games at Hoops the Gym. In general, it sounds
a lot like the last couple of summers under Grover.
But there is one glaring difference. Walker wants to sign a
four-year contract extension with the Celtics this summer.
He wants to remain with Boston for the remainder of his career.
The extension and the strength and conditioning routine are
unavoidably linked. The prospect of one motivates the other,
though a somewhat slimmer and certainly refreshed Walker
said his commitment to the team will not change, regardless
of whether he gets the extension.
''It's major,'' said Walker. ''It's like they gave [coach Jim]
O'Brien. It's just the reassurance I'm going to be in Boston.
''I don't have the slightest idea if it's going to happen. It
would be disturbing if I didn't get it. Right now, it's too
early to say.'' Walker has two years remaining on his contract,
with the option to become a free agent after next season,
though he won't give up the $14.6 million owed him for
2004-05. But in all likelihood, if the Celtics do not offer
Walker an extension, his run in Boston will end after that
season. When director of basketball operations Danny Ainge
was asked about extending Walker, he offered, ''No comment.''
''It's not going to affect me and affect my work ethic and
affect me coming in mentally prepared to get back to the
playoffs and try to get [title] No. 17,'' said Walker. ''It's
not going to affect that at all. It's just a reassurance the
team believes in me and that they want me to be around for a
long time.'' If the Celtics are looking for a show of good
faith from Walker, they should find it at Hoops the Gym. While
Walker wants a commitment in years from the Celtics, Ainge
wants a commitment to conditioning from all players. It's
essential for a team that plans to run more next season.
Conditioning remains an area where Walker knows he can improve,
and Grover expects this to be Walker's most productive summer
to date.
There are three reasons for such confidence. First, the Celtics'
second-round exit from the playoffs, which included disappointing
performances from Walker when he matched up against the Nets'
Kenyon Martin. Second, a more mature Walker, willing to make
lifestyle changes after two consecutive playoff trips and
All-Star Game appearances. Third, the desire for an extension.
''I think he'll be extremely receptive this year,'' said Grover,
who is best-known as Michael Jordan's personal trainer. ''I have
my speech already all outlined for Antoine once I sit him down:
Harold's Chicken, J&J Fish, Doc's, everything he likes to eat.
Of course, he likes to eat late. He's a late eater and that's
something we're going to have to discuss.
''We want him to change the way he eats his calories -- more
protein later at night, more carbohydrates during the day. We'll
talk about all that. Hopefully, he'll stick with the regimen. I
don't know what his ideal weight would be, but my guess is 235-240
maximum.''
With less body fat percentage and weight, there will be visible
and statistical benefits.
''As you decrease his body fat percentage, his explosiveness will
increase back,'' said Grover. ''As we strengthen up his legs, the
discomfort he has in his knees should go away.
''His game is being able to move. If he can't move, he's not as
effective. His ballhandling skills are tremendous, but if he
doesn't have that step to go around somebody, it doesn't matter
how good your ballhandling skills are.
''He wasn't getting lift on his shots. As you saw, his rebounds
have been dropping each year. We want to get all that back up.
We want to get him back to a 20-[point], 10-[rebound] guy and
increase his shooting percentage.''
In addition to posting a career-low field goal percentage last
season (38.8), Walker also had difficulty with free throws. He
dropped to 61.5 percent from the line after hitting a career-high
74.1 percent in the 2001-02 season.
This summer, Walker will devote time to developing a comfortable
routine from the line. In addition to simply shooting a lot of
free throws, Walker will work with Grover to develop better focus.
''I'm going to get my touch back from the foul line,'' said Walker.
''I was upset that I didn't shoot foul shots well this season. I
want to make sure I get that back. I change routines too much. I've
got to get back to one routine that I like and enjoy.''
Grover will consult with O'Brien and Ainge about other points of
emphasis for Walker's summer training program based on how the
Celtics plan to play next season. Since the Celtics are in a
tough financial position with respect to the salary cap and luxury
tax, Walker knows much of the team's prospects for success depend
on how well the current players prepare themselves individually
for next season. ''Hopefully, I can continue on the same pace,''
said Walker. ''I've had two very good seasons, two good individual
seasons, and was able to make the All-Star team twice with Tim
Grover. So, I'm looking forward to a third summer with him.
''I've got to improve myself. I'm 26 now and I know the game real
well. I just want to constantly improve. I want to continue to be
at the peak of my profession -- that's being in All-Star Games and
competing in the playoffs.''
--
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