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Player profile: Bill Walker

Email|Link|Comments (19) Posted by Gary Dzen, Boston.com Staff October 20, 2008 12:00 PM

This is the eighth in a series of profiles for all 15 players (after today's release of Darius Miles) on the current Celtics roster. We'll profile at least one player each day leading up to the season opener.

Bill Walker

Bill Walker drives to the basket in between New Jersey Nets Yi Jianlian (9) and Brook Lopez (11) on Sunday Oct. 19. (Matthew J. Lee/Globe)

Born: Oct. 9, 1987
Height: 6 feet 6 inches. Weight: 220
College: Kansas State
Years pro: Rookie
Acquired: Drafted No. 47 overall by Washington in 2008 (rights traded to Celtics for cash considerations.)
2008/2009 salary: Not disclosed by team.
Signed through: 2008-2009, team option for following season.
Last year's numbers: 16.1 ppg, 1.9 apg, 6.3 rpg at Kansas State.

Strengths: This is a good place to start. "I'm a dunker," Walker told the Globe's Julian Benbow of his two showstoppers during the Celtics' preseason opener against the 76ers. "I've always done that. That doesn't stick out to me." What has stuck out in a limited view of Walker this preseason is his athleticism, as well as his intensity. In what is actually a good thing, Walker also mixed it up with Rockets forward Tracy McGrady (video). "I told him, 'Don't back down, but don't be stupid,' " said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "Bill will get under a lot of people's skins because he plays so physical and cuts so hard. People don't like it, but it's what's going to make him a good player."

Weaknesses: Experience is a weakness with any rookie, but especially in Walker's case. Because of knee trouble, Walker played in just 37 games in two seasons at Kansas State. He's had torn ACLs in both knees and has undergone three surgeries, which lowered his draft stock from a mid first-rounder to a late second-rounder.

What to expect: If he stays healthy, Walker could see minutes as an energy player off the Celtics' bench. But he's got a lot of competition in front of him, with Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Tony Allen, Leon Powe, and Glen Davis all likely to get time at his position (he's a 3 or a 4). But no single player has gotten more out of training camp than Walker, and if his improvement going forward is comparable to the improvement he's already shown, he could contend for minutes by season's end.

Check back tomorrow for another player profile, and give us your expectations for Walker in our comments section.

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19 comments so far...

If he stays healthy then Walker is gonna be a BEAST for us!

Posted by DI$CO October 20, 08 02:41 PM

walker will be the steal of the draft when it's all said and done. I just wish he could nail 3's...

Posted by jsmooth October 20, 08 02:53 PM

Bill's gonna be a great energy player off the bench...He's gonna provide a potent offensive sock for the Celts if his head is in place. He's scary good!!!

Posted by raymund October 20, 08 07:23 PM

hey celtics fans, as a K-state grad, let me tell you, bill is really, really good, and he is in a perfect position to learn from kg and paul pierce, this guy was a blue chip prospect coming out of high school with OJ Mayo, and would have played with him at cincy if Bob Huggins hadn't gotten fired. He loses his cool at times, but at K-State he really had no leadership coming from the coach and he played with Michael Beasley, who while really good also, was not a team leader. i think he will be great for you guys as a bench energy guy, as well as a gy who can D up 2's and 3's and maybe smaller 4's. I also know that he loves basketball and will soak up what KG and Paul say and will try really hard to play at their level, and fortuantely, he has enough talent to succeed. Good luck to him and you guys.

Posted by Clay October 20, 08 09:44 PM

Bill will be a great player for the Celtics for many years to come.

Posted by Alan October 21, 08 05:41 AM

kinda small 4 a 4 (sorry couldn't resist),but i'd love to be a fly on the wall at the practice scrimmages this season!

Posted by rob October 21, 08 01:25 PM

This kid has TONS OF POTENTIAL(PERIOD)

Posted by J-rich October 21, 08 02:23 PM

When Bill develops his outside shot, he can not be defended (just ask Kansas!) He's got the potential to be a MONSTER #3 in the league...like no one since Scottie Pippen... but he's got a long way to go.

Posted by KSU-TA October 21, 08 08:14 PM

Walker's energy is infectious...just look at how the leaders on this team react to his game. This can only make the other guys on the bench play harder to get the same attention. I can't even begin to imagine how exciting this team is going to be to watch this season. This was a great pick up.

Posted by tbagga October 21, 08 11:07 PM

BILL WILL BE A GREAT PLAYER FOR THE CELTICS HE IS VERY STRONG AND HE WILL BE ON ALOT OF PLAYERS MIND WHEN HE HAVE TO CHECK THEM AND WHEN THEY HAVE TO DEFEND HIM. AND I CANT WAIT TO SEE ESPN TOP TEN BECAUSE HE WILL BE TOP FIVE ALL THE TIME HE GOT DUNKS

Posted by DIHONNE MOORE October 22, 08 02:31 PM

Bill will languish on Doc's bench like most rookies have done.

Posted by notrade October 23, 08 10:04 PM

WHat a steal this was! I coul not believe he was still available at the number 47 pick. This guy has all the ability in the world and he is not going to back down from anyone! PERIOD!

Posted by cincyceltic October 24, 08 11:24 AM

Bill Walker hasn't even begun to reach his potential. It is going to be fun to see him mature as a Celtic. He will be one tough SOB to deal with for years to come!

Posted by Larry October 31, 08 06:15 PM

I watched Bill for a year at K-State and I think he will be a much better pro than he was a college player. He is a very physical and emotional player which got him into much foul trouble last year. He was very streaky type of player but when he is hot, he will take the game over. He will not back down from anyone which will be great for your team.

Posted by Rich-4 October 31, 08 07:23 PM

Bill's three will come around. He was real streaky at K-State last year, but when he got on a roll, he could fill it up...

Posted by Walker Fan October 31, 08 07:27 PM

All I am saying is "Give Bill a chance." His physique, physicality, defense, and intensity fit perfectly with the current Celtics. Yes, there is depth especially at shooting guard already, but Walker may have been drafted especially to stop Kobe and Ginobli and McGrady and Hamilton and Roy and Durant, if the Celts ahead of him get injured, get into foul trouble, or have an off night.

Posted by Know-it-some November 10, 08 12:11 AM

i Like what i see from young buck. plays defense, lots of energy, and ATTACKS the rim. with some games under his belt he may be able to help out late in season.

Posted by Big Baller75. November 11, 08 05:08 PM

i would like to see him play.i think even with the knee problume he most be good.good luck and get it!

Posted by annie January 13, 09 09:11 AM

Anyone notice the difference in energy level when Bill is on the roster not in the D league? Coincidence? Bill brings an intensity to everything and the players around him seem to increase their intesity when he is around.

Posted by Stahlhaber January 15, 09 10:39 AM