http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/159/sports/Walker_s_game_to_get_seasoning_in_summer+.shtml Walker's game to get seasoning in summer By Shira Springer, Globe Staff, 6/8/2003 CHICAGO -- Technically, summer vacation ends tomorrow for Antoine Walker. He will sit down with personal trainer Tim Grover and devise an offseason conditioning program. He will begin weightlifting again. He will hit the court and practice shooting, particularly free throws. He will hear a lecture about the importance of a better diet. He will set a plan for losing weight and lowering his percentage of body fat. He will work toward strengthening his legs, particularly his injured and oft-abused knees. To be sure, there will still be early-morning golf outings and late nights. Walker does have a charity golf tournament scheduled for mid-July at Mohegan Sun. But Grover expects the weekdays to be largely devoted to strength and conditioning work. A few weeks from now, Walker will start playing pickup games at Hoops the Gym. In general, it sounds a lot like the last couple of summers under Grover. But there is one glaring difference. Walker wants to sign a four-year contract extension with the Celtics this summer. He wants to remain with Boston for the remainder of his career. The extension and the strength and conditioning routine are unavoidably linked. The prospect of one motivates the other, though a somewhat slimmer and certainly refreshed Walker said his commitment to the team will not change, regardless of whether he gets the extension. ''It's major,'' said Walker. ''It's like they gave [coach Jim] O'Brien. It's just the reassurance I'm going to be in Boston. ''I don't have the slightest idea if it's going to happen. It would be disturbing if I didn't get it. Right now, it's too early to say.'' Walker has two years remaining on his contract, with the option to become a free agent after next season, though he won't give up the $14.6 million owed him for 2004-05. But in all likelihood, if the Celtics do not offer Walker an extension, his run in Boston will end after that season. When director of basketball operations Danny Ainge was asked about extending Walker, he offered, ''No comment.'' ''It's not going to affect me and affect my work ethic and affect me coming in mentally prepared to get back to the playoffs and try to get [title] No. 17,'' said Walker. ''It's not going to affect that at all. It's just a reassurance the team believes in me and that they want me to be around for a long time.'' If the Celtics are looking for a show of good faith from Walker, they should find it at Hoops the Gym. While Walker wants a commitment in years from the Celtics, Ainge wants a commitment to conditioning from all players. It's essential for a team that plans to run more next season. Conditioning remains an area where Walker knows he can improve, and Grover expects this to be Walker's most productive summer to date. There are three reasons for such confidence. First, the Celtics' second-round exit from the playoffs, which included disappointing performances from Walker when he matched up against the Nets' Kenyon Martin. Second, a more mature Walker, willing to make lifestyle changes after two consecutive playoff trips and All-Star Game appearances. Third, the desire for an extension. ''I think he'll be extremely receptive this year,'' said Grover, who is best-known as Michael Jordan's personal trainer. ''I have my speech already all outlined for Antoine once I sit him down: Harold's Chicken, J&J Fish, Doc's, everything he likes to eat. Of course, he likes to eat late. He's a late eater and that's something we're going to have to discuss. ''We want him to change the way he eats his calories -- more protein later at night, more carbohydrates during the day. We'll talk about all that. Hopefully, he'll stick with the regimen. I don't know what his ideal weight would be, but my guess is 235-240 maximum.'' With less body fat percentage and weight, there will be visible and statistical benefits. ''As you decrease his body fat percentage, his explosiveness will increase back,'' said Grover. ''As we strengthen up his legs, the discomfort he has in his knees should go away. ''His game is being able to move. If he can't move, he's not as effective. His ballhandling skills are tremendous, but if he doesn't have that step to go around somebody, it doesn't matter how good your ballhandling skills are. ''He wasn't getting lift on his shots. As you saw, his rebounds have been dropping each year. We want to get all that back up. We want to get him back to a 20-[point], 10-[rebound] guy and increase his shooting percentage.'' In addition to posting a career-low field goal percentage last season (38.8), Walker also had difficulty with free throws. He dropped to 61.5 percent from the line after hitting a career-high 74.1 percent in the 2001-02 season. This summer, Walker will devote time to developing a comfortable routine from the line. In addition to simply shooting a lot of free throws, Walker will work with Grover to develop better focus. ''I'm going to get my touch back from the foul line,'' said Walker. ''I was upset that I didn't shoot foul shots well this season. I want to make sure I get that back. I change routines too much. I've got to get back to one routine that I like and enjoy.'' Grover will consult with O'Brien and Ainge about other points of emphasis for Walker's summer training program based on how the Celtics plan to play next season. Since the Celtics are in a tough financial position with respect to the salary cap and luxury tax, Walker knows much of the team's prospects for success depend on how well the current players prepare themselves individually for next season. ''Hopefully, I can continue on the same pace,'' said Walker. ''I've had two very good seasons, two good individual seasons, and was able to make the All-Star team twice with Tim Grover. So, I'm looking forward to a third summer with him. ''I've got to improve myself. I'm 26 now and I know the game real well. I just want to constantly improve. I want to continue to be at the peak of my profession -- that's being in All-Star Games and competing in the playoffs.'' --

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