That Antoine Walker is hosting a party in Chicago isn’t very notable. But when that party coincides with an Idaho Stampede home stand, eyebrows raise.

Walker is reportedly scheduled to appear at a party in the Windy City on December 1, when Walker’s Stampede host the Dakota Wizards. I’m not positive, but the party might be named after The Artist Formerly Known As Employee Eight’s shot selection: “That Shit Crazy.”

Walker re-signed to play with the NBA D-League’s Stampede, but hasn’t reported to the team as he awaits sentencing for gambling charges. He was supposed to appear in court for sentencing weeks ago, according to Ridiculous Upside’s Scott Schroeder, but his lawyer rescheduled the court date for Dec. 6 instead.

The 35-year-old was supposed to appear in court a couple of weeks ago for sentencing after pleading guilty to some gambling debt issues. His lawyer apparently worked out a court date for Dec. 6 instead as he deals with the casino issues in Vegas, but that date would seem a lot less convenient considering the Stampede will be beginning their first road trip of the season on that date.

Walker hasn’t reported to the Stampede yet this season, however, and it doesn’t seem like he will until after the court thing is taken care of — considering he’s planning on hosting two-day parties in Chicago (see flyer at right) when he is supposed to be visiting Bismarck, N.D., for a two-game series against the Dakota Wizards.

Maybe there are extenuating circumstances involved and the Stampede are okay with Walker’s absence. But this doesn’t sound good. Postponing a court date, failing to report to training camp on time, hosting parties while he should be playing for the Idaho Stampede — the Antoine Walker I remember knows his recent actions are nothing to wiggle about.

If you were wondering how Antoine Walker looked last night in his D-League debut, I wrote far too many words on the subject (read by clicking here).

Don’t worry; not everything Walker did was as bad as this missed free throw. He finished with 13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal, in 26 minutes. At times, he looked like the best player on the court (by far), and at times he looked overweight and rusty.

I will now discuss Antoine Walker, again, for the ten millionth time.

You’re probably annoyed with my Antoine obsession, but Employee Number Eight was one of my heroes growing up. No, seriously. He was. I actually used the Walker Wiggle in 5th grade CYO basketball games. Fortunately, I didn’t also fall in love with launching miserable three-pointers.

‘Toine makes his D-League debut tonight, which is odd mostly because of his swift fall from grace. Only 34, Walker is at an age when most NBA All-Stars, with eroding but still-passable skills, remain in the NBA.  Instead, Walker (if I’m not mistaken) will become the first former All-Star to play in the D-League. He’s doing it because he yearns to return to the NBA — maybe because he loves and misses the game, maybe because he desperately needs a fat paycheck, and probably for a mixture of both those reasons.

The fall from NBA champion to laughingstock took only a couple years, but that’s not what I’m here to discuss. Rather, I want to harp on something far more positive. Whatever the reason for this comeback happens to be, ‘Toine’s going about it the right way.

He spent the summer working out with college coach Rick Pitino. He took a job in the D-League, where NBA scouts will be watching, rather than overseas, where they might not. He knows this comeback isn’t going to be easy, and he knows NBA teams aren’t going to come calling after a week or two. (NBA Fanhouse)

“I’m here to play. I came with five or six bags, so I’m here to play,” Walker said. “I don’t put any sort of expectations on me. I think if I can come out and play and help the team win, I think people will see what I’m worth. I know it’s going to be hard and I know it’s not going to happen overnight so I don’t want to put that type of pressure on myself. I want to come play basketball and let my play speak for itself.”

Pride? There’s no room for any. If he intends to return to the NBA, which he does, Walker can’t let himself worry about shame. He can’t worry that he has intentionally chosen to put himself through the same long bus rides, meager food spreads, and generally poor accomodationswith which the New Jersey Nets punished Terrence Williams. Antoine Walker isn’t an NBA All-Star anymore. He isn’t even an NBA player. Rather, he’s like all his Idaho Stampede teammates — just trying to impress the right person, just trying to do whatever it takes to land an NBA job.

Walker seems to understand how he’ll impress NBA GMs: by helping his team win. GMs don’t want to see Walker firing three-pointers at will, or trying to invent the four-pointer, or even scoring 25 points per game. They want to see how he’ll fit on an NBA roster.

Walker was asked what wisdom he can impart on his teammates, and he responded in part, “One thing I learned in the NBA is that if you win, everybody reaps the rewards of winning so that’s one thing that I can tell the guys: ‘Let’s win every night and we’ll all reap the benefits of it with opportunities outside of the D-League because people like winners.’

“I think that’s one thing I can share,” Walker told Ridiculous Upside.

Play to win. That’s all Walker has to do. Prove he can fit in on the next level, rather than dominate a lower level. Do that, and ‘Toine might get his shot at another NBA contract after all.

Even if he doesn’t, he can be proud about his comeback attempt. He’s approaching it the right way.

*****

P.S. — If you want current Celtics news rather than another Antoine chat, a Turkish GM claims Shaq is headed to Turkey… next year!

The Celtics ought to remember that there are other options for their need at backup (or is it backup-backup?) Point Guard: The D-League.
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