Le Basketbawl

Over the last couple of weeks we have heard rumblings of former NBA players who had been retired for a while were planning on making attempts to return to playing in the league. When former players like Greg Ostertag and J.R. Rider talked about coming back from retirement New York Vinnie wrote a column asking Are Former NBA Players Trying To Return Because They are Broke?

Although there was still some doubt about the true intentions of guys like Ostertag and Rider in New York Vinnie’s mind there is no doubt at all that the only reason that another PUD’s name surfaced Monday as the latest former player to try to come back is strictly for the Benjamins. Our old buddy Antoine Walker former NBA All-Star and  last heard from via a Nevada Police Blotter may try a come-back attempt next month according to reports.

“Sports Illustrated” reporter Chris Mannix has texted on his “Twitter” account that he ran in to Walker this past weekend. Mannix says that the former NBA All-Star told him that he was in talks with four NBA teams and plans on being at an NBA Training Camp as a non-guaranteed invitee with one of those clubs. Walker last time in the NBA ended on December 18, 2008 when the Memphis Grizzlies bought him out of his contract.

Earlier this summer New York Vinnie labeled Walker as “ the stupidest Frickin human being to ever walk the planet“ after being arrested in Nevada back in July. Walker was arrested back in July while playing in a Celebrity Golf  Tournament at Lake Tahoe. The reason behind the arrest stemmed from the fact that Walker had a warrant out for him in the State of Nevada  due to $822,500 in unpaid debts that he had racked up in Vegas. When Walker came into the state to play the Tournament he got popped!

Okay there may have been shades of doubt over the reasons that Ostertag and Rider want to play again in the NBA but there is no question with Walker it is because he needs the bucks. He has every right to  try to get back into the league and any team in the NBA has every right to give him a contract. However in New York Vinnie’s mind that team in particular and the NBA in general would be just a bit sleazier if this comes to pass. There are more than enough PUDS currently playing in the NBA; they can certainly do without adding another one like Antoine Walker.