D-League Idaho Stampede to announce today that ex-NBA player Antoine Walker is re-signing with the club.
Link
I find that really surprising. Figured it was a one time experiment thing by him. If no NBA team signed him last year, does he really think one will sign him this year? I give him credit for swallowing his pride and trying to go that route though, but I think he needs to call it quits and try his hand as a coach, commentator, or analyst or something. I love you though Antoine, prove me wrong!
I think this might be an indication that people are not knocking down his door as a coach, commentator, or analyst. He is trying to make some more money as a player while he still can.
While this might be true, I would find it hard to believe.
Say what you want about his play on the court (and decisions off of it), but Antoine is a smart, personable guy, and really knows the game, and has had success at all levels.
I'm under the impression that it's not that hard for a former player to become an analyst/commentator, and the better the player was, the easier it is to get your foot in the door.
Look at some of these lists of broadcast teams (current and former):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_on_ESPN_personalitieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_TV#Personalitieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_on_ABC_broadcastershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESPN_College_Basketball_broadcast_teamsWhile some are obviously good, there are a bunch that are not so great, and I feel Antoine has more personality, a better voice, and more experience than a lot of them (Scott Pollard!). With all these different former players doing NBA and NCAA games, I feel if Antoine did the work, maybe took a few classes (I think I hear a few colleges, like Syracuse, have summer broadcasting crash courses for former players), he would be able to get work.
Also, with guys like Walter McCarty, Rod Strickland, working in the NCAA or Dee Brown, Randy Livingston coaching in the D-League, I feel if Antoine was willing to start at as an assistant and put the work in, he'd have no problem getting a job as a D-League or D1 assistant (likely at a major school too). After putting in a couple of years work at the lower levels, it wouldn't be long till he got a 6 figure NBA assistant coaching job worst case.
Maybe it's true nobody wants Antoine in one of these roles, but I find it hard to believe that if he made the effort (like he's doing now playing in the D-League) and was willing to start low, that he couldn't get the foot in the door as an analyst (probably best situation) or as a D1 (maybe even NBA) assistant coach. Just find it hard to believe. Maybe nobody is calling him, but get out there and knock on some doors Antoine, I believe in you, you can do it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ2HcRl4wSk