Latest news with #AntoineWalker
New York Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Breaking down NBA's opening-day and Christmas schedules, plus WNBA stretch run
The Bounce Newsletter | This is The Athletic's daily NBA newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Bounce directly in your inbox. Antoine Walker turns 49 years old today! During his 12-year career: He finished 12th in MVP voting in his second season, said he shoots so many 3-pointers because there are no 4-pointers and had one of the greatest video game commercials ever. Happy birthday, 'Toine! We have opening night and Christmas schedules! I know what you've been thinking. You've been wondering just how bad this new 'War of the Worlds' movie can be about the NBA's upcoming schedules on some of its biggest days. Wonder no longer, my friends! While the league hasn't officially announced these games, The Athletic's Joe Vardon and Mike Vorkunov are all over the case. Advertisement First, we're going to get a pretty intriguing ring-ceremony showdown, followed by two of the greatest to ever lace up the sneakers. These are your opening-night games! Rockets at Thunder: Yes, Kevin Durant will make his Houston debut when one of his old teams, the Thunder, will be raising a championship banner for the first time. This is like your new job making you attend your ex's wedding. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and the rest of the Thunder will get their sectional-sized rings, and Houston, the No. 2 team in 2024's West standings, will try to use it as motivation. If you're wondering whether Durant is feeling any sort of way about it, this was his response during a social media session (he talked so much trash this weekend, we probably should do a section on it Friday) when asked about having to watch the Thunder raise a banner that night: Finally. It's been 10 years, bout time they win one lmaooo — Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) August 10, 2025 That's a real tweet. It's not photoshop. It wasn't a fake meme. It's a real tweet. Anyway, after that throwdown between West titans, we'll get Steph Curry versus LeBron James for the 56th time in their careers (including playoffs). Warriors at Lakers: This will cap off opening night, and it's a very smart decision by the NBA. People question what the league will do to promote its stars once LeBron (40 years old, ICYMI) and Steph (37) are gone. Well, keep throwing these guys out there until you have to cross that bridge. They're still the biggest draws, and they'll help NBC's opening night perfectly. Plus, you get Luka Doncic, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green in the mix. The other big calendar date for the NBA is Christmas Day, a holiday hoops has traditionally owned. Roger Goodell is encroaching on the holiday, and maybe that galvanized the NBA, because they hit on all five games (health permitting). This is the schedule, in my recommended order: The rest of the season schedule should be known to us later in this week? Maybe next week? We're not totally sure yet, but it's coming soon. We'll have a full breakdown of everything you need from it. The Concern-O-Meter™ hits the NBA! 🏀 Time to panic? I wrote about 10 potential concerns heading into next season. Including Giannis' future in Milwaukee! 💰 Another coach extended. We've seen a lot of coaches get contract extensions this summer. Boston and Joe Mazzulla just extended their relationship. 🏀 WNBA history! A'ja Wilson just did something no other WNBA player has done. She put up a 30-20 game. 🏈 Tiered up! This isn't basketball, but I always enjoy when Mike Sando unveils quarterback rankings. This is the top tier of QBs. Quick Q&A with Sabreena and Ben The 2025 WNBA trade deadline has passed, and we have roughly one month left in this season. Playoffs begin on September 14, so it's the perfect time to check in with two of our favorite scribes: Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman. I asked them three questions to get us ready for the final stretch. What was the most significant trade from the start of the season, leading up to the deadline? Ben: A few days before the deadline, the Minnesota Lynx acquired All-WNBA defensive first-team guard DiJonai Carrington in a trade with the Dallas Wings. While in the long run, the trade represents a gamble for the Lynx, who parted ways with former No. 2 pick Diamond Miller as part of the return, 27-5 Minnesota hopes Carrington is a short-term add who can push them to a title. She has already proven to be a seamless fit in Minnesota. She's played more than 20 minutes in two of her three games, scoring in double-figures each time, and is an elite perimeter defender now playing with elite rim defenders. She takes defensive pressure off teammate Kayla McBride. Sabreena: Lots of different ways to interpret the word significant, so I'll choose the Las Vegas Aces trading their 2027 first-round pick for NaLyssa Smith. After using their 2026 first to move Kelsey Plum for Jewell Loyd, this was basically the last shot the Aces had to meaningfully upgrade their roster around A'ja Wilson, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray. Bringing in Smith doesn't seem to have elevated 18-14 Las Vegas to a championship contender, but the team has given up a pick in what could be an all-time draft featuring JuJu Watkins, Madison Booker, Hannah Hidalgo and more. Can the Aces get it together? Who is your pick (outside of the 20-11 Liberty) to challenge the dominant Lynx the rest of the way? Sabreena: No, I have no hope in the Aces to be more than just a playoff team. As far as challenging Minnesota, the Lynx's biggest weakness is on the glass, and 20-11 Atlanta has given them some difficulty because of their size. If the Dream's 3s are going in, that could be a tough postseason matchup. Ben: The Aces were my preseason pick to make the Finals, but it's hard to imagine them reaching that point with how inconsistent they've been. New York — when healthy — and Minnesota are the league's two best teams, but it's not out of the question that the Liberty slip down the standings because of their rash of injuries. That opens the door, ever-so-slightly, for teams like Atlanta and 19-12 Phoenix, especially if New York somehow ends up as the No. 4 seed. We must have a Caitlin Clark question, so what's your bold prediction for the rest of her or the Fever's season? Sabreena: With or without Clark, the Indiana Fever will win a playoff game for the first time in a decade. Ben: Forced to play an even larger role due to recent injuries to Aari McDonald and Sydney Colson, Aliyah Boston will make an All-WNBA team for the first time in her career. Don't forget to read: Half-court shot contests fuel WNBA competition. What can we expect from the NBA Cup chase? A little over a month ago, the league announced the NBA Cup groupings and scheduling for the third installment of what you might call the In-Season Tournament. But we're really supposed to be calling it by its proper given name, the NBA Cup. Aside from the courts on the floor, I've had a lot of fun during the first two NBA Cups. I'm not sure the NBA is totally accomplishing what it wants the Cup to be yet, but there's definitely something there. Advertisement I think the Cup will eventually become a pretty big deal, even if we're not quite sure what to do with the championship aspect. The money award for the players and the trip to Las Vegas in the middle of December does seem to give the participants something to really play for, especially once we get to the elimination rounds. We now have the groupings from the NBA, and I want to break them down so far. (Remember, there are three groups of five from each conference. The winner of each group moves on to the elimination rounds, and then there is a wild-card entry also based on group-play success from each conference to give us eight teams in the tournament bracket.) We'll remind you the Lakers won the inaugural tournament in 2023, and the Bucks took it home last year. Easy group in the West: Group A! Yes, you have the Thunder and the Wolves in this one. We're not sure how seriously to take the Kings and Suns just yet, and we know the Jazz will be the worst team in the conference by design. This is potentially a two-team group. Group of death in the West: Group C! Yikes, this is a tough one. Denver and Houston are monsters. The Warriors could be monsters. The Spurs are trying to learn how to be monsters. And if the Blazers can carry over their second half of last season, they'll be tough to handle. Goldilocks group in the West: Group B is just right. You can't really trust the Pelicans. Dallas likely won't have Kyrie back by this time. The Lakers and Clippers are good teams. Memphis will be good if they're healthy. This is the right amount of competition without being overwhelming. Easy group in the East: Group A! We don't know if Toronto will be able to climb up. Indiana is going to be without Tyrese Haliburton. Washington is fun but not good yet. We're relying on Atlanta to get it right; otherwise, Cleveland could cruise here. Advertisement Group of death in the East: Group B! This is entirely contingent on the Sixers being healthy, but if Philadelphia can be for this portion of the season, that makes four very tough teams and the Nets. Orlando and Detroit will want to use this as a learning experience. Goldilocks group in the West: Group C! I'm not believing in Chicago or Charlotte, but any team with Giannis Antetokounmpo (a defending NBA Cup champ, mind you) will compete. Miami is a very solid team when healthy, and we think the Knicks might be the class of the East. Bonus facts: The Bucks are the best NBA Cup franchise in history, with a 13-1 record including group play. The Knicks are 7-3 overall, but 0-2 in their elimination games. The Wizards have never won in group play (0-8). The Grizzlies and Hornets are both 1-7, the second-worst NBA Cup records of all time. The games in Las Vegas will happen on December 13 and December 16. Streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Listen again: Why pro athletes keep going broke
Listen and subscribe to Financial Freestyle on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts. In this episode of Financial Freestyle, host Ross Mac sits down with NBA champion and three-time All-Star Antoine Walker for a wide-ranging conversation about his financial journey. From signing an NBA contract worth millions of dollars at just 19 years old to his eventual bankruptcy in 2011, Walker has rebounded to bring a message of financial literacy to the masses, especially to young athletes. Tune in to learn more about his inspiring story and what's next on the horizon for him. Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac on Yahoo Finance is dedicated to promoting economic prosperity for all. Through expert insights, practical advice, and inspiring success stories, we empower you to build and grow wealth. Join us on this transformative journey toward financial freedom and inclusive economic growth. This post was written by Dennis Golin. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
07-05-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Antoine Walker's Debut Book Explains Discovery of Identity and Fulfillment
The author, Antoine Walker is pleased to announce the release of his very first book, ' Know Who You Are: Discovering Your True Identity to Live a Fulfilling Life .' This enlightening work summonses readers on a life-changing journey to discover their true selves and adopt the within power. With genuine insights coming from personal experiences and a deep understanding of human behavior, the author delivers a comprehensive guide to personal discovery and self-growth. The author, Antoine Walker is a Georgia inborn currently living in Texas. He has devoted his life to inspiring others, beginning his journey as a teacher in the ministry. This foundation ignited his passion for delivering messages of hope and guidance during life's challenges. Though he transitioned from traditional ministry, Walker continues to share his wisdom through writing, aiming to enrich the lives of his readers. With a background in audio production from Full Sail University, Walker has cultivated a creative method of storytelling. His diverse experiences in the medical field further enhance his understanding of human behaviour, enabling him to connect deeply with his audience. Through the self-help book ' Know Who You Are ,' Walker seeks to touch hearts and minds, guiding readers toward self-acceptance and empowerment. This inspiring book is a tribute to the author's late mother, Wanda L. Cooper, whose potential and love have been a continuous source of motivation. Her legacy of endurance and dedication to nurturing others notifies his mission to uplift people as they navigate their journeys of self-discovery. In a contemporary era flooded with distractions and social burdens, the book ' Know Who You Are ' uplifts readers to stop, imitate, and know their identities. The author elaborates on the complications of identity formation. He focuses on how our sense of self is formed by various factors. The factors include family dynamics, communities, and cultural aspects. He challenges the idea that identity is immovable. According to him, identity is fluid and multi-layered, developing with our experiences and connections. The author's writing is relevant and deep, addressing basic questions for example who am I? and What is my purpose? The book is structured to guide readers through ten insightful chapters, each designed to illuminate different aspects of identity. From understanding personal and social identity to recognizing the significance of life experiences, Walker offers practical techniques for overcoming obstacles and living a fulfilling life. The inspirational book includes actionable strategies to assist readers in connecting with their core values and aspirations. Walker encourages stepping outside comfort zones, writing experiences, and engaging in purposeful conversations with life coaches or mentors. Through these doings, he intends to authorize people to adopt their real strengths and pursue their passions. The appealing book, ' Know Who You Are: Discovering Your True Identity to Live a Fulfilling Life ', is now available for purchase through major retailers and online platforms. Antoine Walker invites readers to experience the journey of exploration and transformation, encouraging them to adopt their exceptional identities and live fulfilling lives. Media Contact Company Name: Antoine Walker Contact Person: Antoine Walker Email: Send Email Country: United States Website: Press Release Distributed by To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: Antoine Walker's Debut Book Explains Discovery of Identity and Fulfillment
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'The money came so fast': What an NBA All-Star learned after going from millions to bankruptcy
Listen and subscribe to Financial Freestyle on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts. As a three-time NBA All-Star and former NBA Champion, Antoine Walker is one of the best basketball players of the 1990s and early 2000s. But his early success came with some difficult financial lessons. Walker was signed to the Boston Celtics at just 19 years old. Throughout his 13-year athletic career, it's estimated he earned as much as $108 million — a large portion of which came from a six-year $71 million contract he signed at just 21. "The money came so fast without the education," Walker told Ross Mac on the Financial Freestyle podcast (see video above or listen below). Walker partly attributes his lack of financial education to the decisions that ultimately led him to file for bankruptcy in 2010. Though he became debt-free just three years later, the former professional athlete now talks openly about his financial mistakes and offers advice for others to learn from them. "I think it's my job to kind of use the things that I did wrong and just help [others] out," Walker said, addressing the challenges of newly minted professional athletes and those who come into wealth quickly. "I know the things that they want to do," he said. "I know the things that they're buying. I know the things that they're overlooking. ... I try to put that back in their face and understand that this basketball career or any sports career is going to be short-lived, and you got a whole life to live after your career is over with." Walker admitted that when he signed his lucrative NBA contracts, he didn't have a firm understanding of taxes and tax brackets. Though his contracts promised him millions, he took home significantly less than he thought he would after taxes. This, coupled with some bad investments, led him to build a lifestyle he couldn't financially sustain. "I think we have to start teaching our kids about their lifestyle," Walker said. "Because when you're making money, ... everything is going good — you're buying cars, you got houses, you got jewelry, you got all these things going on. But at some point, the money's going to stop coming in the way it came in the beginning. Are you able and are you prepared to maintain that lifestyle?" "You have to be ready to withstand that storm,' he cautioned. Read more: How to budget: Your complete guide to budgeting for 2025 Walker said he relied heavily on financial investors and other professionals to manage his money, but it didn't stop him from being hit hard by the drop in the real estate market during the 2008 recession. There's nothing wrong with leaning on professionals, he said. However, it shouldn't be a reason for someone to avoid learning more about how to build and maintain their wealth. "No matter how much money you make, you're never too busy to take care of your own finances," Walker said. "We have to stop being uneducated when we're the ones out there making our money in this livelihood." According to Walker, taking time to learn from your mistakes is how you can build wealth that can sustain generations. "If you want to be successful financially down the line, you've got to be stubborn," Walker said. "You have to be to a point where you have to actually build, not only for your kids, [but] your kids' kids." Every Monday, Financial Freestyle host Ross Mac talks with key guests to discuss their wealth-building journeys and what it takes to build a lasting financial footprint. You can find more episodes on our video hub or watch on your preferred streaming service.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'The money came so fast': What an NBA All-Star learned after going from millions to bankruptcy
Listen and subscribe to Financial Freestyle on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts. As a three-time NBA All-Star and former NBA Champion, Antoine Walker is one of the best basketball players of the 1990s and early 2000s. But his early success came with some difficult financial lessons. Walker was signed to the Boston Celtics at just 19 years old. Throughout his 13-year athletic career, it's estimated he earned as much as $108 million — a large portion of which came from a six-year $71 million contract he signed at just 21. "The money came so fast without the education," Walker told Ross Mac on the Financial Freestyle podcast (see video above or listen below). This embedded content is not available in your region. Walker partly attributes his lack of financial education to the decisions that ultimately led him to file for bankruptcy in 2010. Though he became debt-free just three years later, the former professional athlete now talks openly about his financial mistakes and offers advice for others to learn from them. "I think it's my job to kind of use the things that I did wrong and just help [others] out," Walker said, addressing the challenges of newly minted professional athletes and those who come into wealth quickly. "I know the things that they want to do," he said. "I know the things that they're buying. I know the things that they're overlooking. ... I try to put that back in their face and understand that this basketball career or any sports career is going to be short-lived, and you got a whole life to live after your career is over with." Walker admitted that when he signed his lucrative NBA contracts, he didn't have a firm understanding of taxes and tax brackets. Though his contracts promised him millions, he took home significantly less than he thought he would after taxes. This, coupled with some bad investments, led him to build a lifestyle he couldn't financially sustain. "I think we have to start teaching our kids about their lifestyle," Walker said. "Because when you're making money, ... everything is going good — you're buying cars, you got houses, you got jewelry, you got all these things going on. But at some point, the money's going to stop coming in the way it came in the beginning. Are you able and are you prepared to maintain that lifestyle?" "You have to be ready to withstand that storm,' he cautioned. Read more: How to budget: Your complete guide to budgeting for 2025 Walker said he relied heavily on financial investors and other professionals to manage his money, but it didn't stop him from being hit hard by the drop in the real estate market during the 2008 recession. There's nothing wrong with leaning on professionals, he said. However, it shouldn't be a reason for someone to avoid learning more about how to build and maintain their wealth. "No matter how much money you make, you're never too busy to take care of your own finances," Walker said. "We have to stop being uneducated when we're the ones out there making our money in this livelihood." According to Walker, taking time to learn from your mistakes is how you can build wealth that can sustain generations. "If you want to be successful financially down the line, you've got to be stubborn," Walker said. "You have to be to a point where you have to actually build, not only for your kids, [but] your kids' kids." Every Monday, Financial Freestyle host Ross Mac talks with key guests to discuss their wealth-building journeys and what it takes to build a lasting financial footprint. You can find more episodes on our video hub or watch on your preferred streaming service. Sign in to access your portfolio
