In last week's Ladder Challenge it was Dustin Pedroia earning 61% of the vote to defeat Terry Francona and maintain his place at #94 on the Ladder. This week's Challenge shifts from the Sox to the Celtics, as Antoine Walker (#97) attempts to move up the Ladder by taking on Don Nelson (#92). Based on offensive production, excitement and (admittedly) favoritism, 'Toine gets my backing this week. So who has your vote in the latest Ladder Challenge?
Posts
7 comments:
DON NELSON
Currently Ranked: 92
Challenge Record: 0-0-0
-------------------------------------------------
*Played final 11 seasons with Celtics (1965-76).
*Helped Celtics win 5 NBA Championships (1966, 1968-69, 1974, 1976).
*Career regular season averages w/Celtics: 11.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, .484 FG%, .769 FT%.
*Career playoff averages w/Celtics: 11.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, .500 FG%, .819 FT%.
*8th in franchise history in games played (872).
*Led NBA in FG% in 1975 (.539).
*Considered one of the best 6th men in NBA history.
*His #19 is retired by the Celtics.
ANTOINE WALKER
Currently Ranked: 97
Challenge Record: 0-0-0
-------------------------------------------------
*Played 8 seasons with Celtics (1996-2003, 2005).
*3-time NBA All Star (1998, 2002-03).
*1st Team All-Rookie (1997).
*career regular season averages w/Celtics: 20.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, .413 FG%, .662 FT%.
*Career playoff averages w/Celtics: 19.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, .412 FG%, 701 FT%.
*Top 10 in franchise history in: 3FG (2). 3FGA (2), Minutes per game (3), Points per game (4), Steals (4), Steals per game (7), Rebounds per game (9), Rebounds (10),
*Franchise single season records for 3FG made (222, 2002) and 3FG attempted (645, 2002).
*Led league in: 3FGA 3-times (2001-03), Minutes (2002), FGA (2002), 3FG (2001).
I realize Nelson has a fistful of championship rings and I'm certainly not taking anything away from his accomplishments, but he was a role player who had the fortune of playing on great teams while Toine was a very good player who had the misfortune of playing on mostly terrible teams.
For several years it seemed like the only reason to watch the C's (for those of us still watching) was for the excitement Walker brought to the table. The least I can do is thank him with a vote here.
Not to mention there is only one player who tops Walker's points/rebounds/assists in C's history = Larry Bird. And only 2 players who averaged more minutes per game = Russell & Cowens. Not bad company to keep.
The wiggle was the most exciting thing going for the C's for a while.. Toine gets my vote
5 rings win for me. i wasnt an antoine hater but my vote goes to nellie
you should have the nellie vs nellie challenge soon!
I originally posted this about 'Toine last June, but in case you missed it:
http://realbostonsportsfans.com/2008/06/in-case-you-missed-ittoine-great-celtic.html
Toine.
Post a Comment