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Chat Transcript: Walter McCarty
Walter chatted live with fans on Friday.NBAE/Getty Images |
Celtics forward Walter McCarty chatted live with fans on Friday on celtics.com
McCarty, entering his eight season as a member of Celtics and his ninth in the NBA, is coming off one of his best seasons, in which he averaged 7.9 points on 37.4 percent shooting from beyond the arc. As the Celtics prepare to enter their first training camp under new Head Coach Doc Rivers, the team will be looking for the 6-10 forward to be a part of a big, talented frontline that includes Mark Blount, Raef LaFrentz, Al Jefferson, Kendrick Perkins and Tom Gugliotta.
McCarty, who has long been a fan favorite of Celtics fans with Tommy Heinsohn's famous "I Love Waltah" call during game broadcasts, has established himself as a fixture in the Boston community. In 2002 he started the I Love Music Foundation, and in July 2001 became the first member of the Celtics to win the Hometown Hero of the Month Award for his community outreach efforts. On October 3rd, McCarty will host and perform at a concert featuring J Records recording artist Gavin DeGraw at the Roxy Ballroom in Boston to benefit his foundation.
See what Walter has to say about this year's rookies, his music and much much more:
Justin Poulin (Portland, ME): How are the pre-training camp workouts going and out of all the rookies drafted this year who so you think is the most ready to contribute?
Walter McCarty: It's going well. We are getting our wind up and getting into good playing shape. The young guys look good, but we'll have to wait until we get into training camp to see what they can do.
Alessandro (Worcester MA): How do you see yourself fitting into Doc Rivers' new system this year?
Walter McCarty: I think it will be great. I can use my athleticism to get up and down the court. The system puts a premium on getting out and running and attacking the basket and I think that fits my game. I look forward to playing this style of basketball.
Jason (Boston): Walta... I was a big Jim O'Brien fan, but I think Doc will be real good for us. How do you see Doc making an impact on this team? And how will it feel to play the Sixers and Coach O'Brien again?
Walter McCarty: First, I think we will have a great time here with Doc. He is very succesful as a coach and we look forward to playing for him. As far as coach O'Brien, we need to be professional about it. People move on. When we face Philly we'll try to win and they will be trying to win too.
Petey (Cambridge): How long have you been playing music?
Walter McCarty: I've been teaching myself piano since I was a senior in high school. I've been teaching myself guitar in the past year or so, and I've been singing since I was young.
Chris (Boston): WHat does the I love Music foundation do?
Walter McCarty: The I Love Music Foundation helps kids interested in music. We give grants to kids trying to get into music programs, we give instruments to schools and we try and encourage kids to explore their love of music.
Adam, Rochester, N.H: Walter, I hear you are very interested in music and are involved in some projects now. Would you rather win a Championship or record a platinum album?
Walter McCarty: Definitely win an NBA championship. My love of basketball is my first love. I would really love to both. Can't I do both? (Laughing)
Gio Galang Vancouver B.C: hi Walter..what do you think of the addition of Tom Gugliotta?is LaFrentz healthy enough?
Walter McCarty: I think adding Tom, a veteran guy, will help our young guys. He's a great professional, he knows how to play the game, but also knows about the little things needed to make everyone else better. Raef is doing better. He's working out, working hard and trying to get better. Training camp will be a time to really test that.
Rico (springfield, MA): As one of the few players in the league able to play three positions (pf,sf, and c) where do you see yourself playing most of your minutes this up comming season?
Walter McCarty: Wherever the coach wants me to play. The good thing about being able to play three positions is that I can get more minutes. I'm happy that the coach can use me in a variety of ways. Whatever I can do to help the team, I will do.
Thybault (Lynn): What do you think about the new people the Celtics brought in with the trade? What do you think they will bring to the table?
Walter McCarty: Which trade? There's been so many. I think when you get a guy like Gary Payton, he has to help. He is a guy who can help you win now. It's exciting to have him here with us.
Justin from Boston MA: Walter, what do you expect the Atlantic divition will be like this year with shaq on the heat and jason kidd out till december. Thanks for listening GO CELTIC'S
Walter McCarty: I think it will be very interesting. To lose a person like Jason Kidd, will be hard on any team, even though Richard Jefferson is a terrific young player. And Shaq going to Miami definitely helps them, and they will be going out there now and trying to win right away.
Fitchburg: Walter, If you took Doc on in his prime...Who would win?
Walter McCarty: (Laughing) Doc was a point guard so he would probably dribble circles around me, but down low I would dominate him. The big thing is, if we played together, we'd be a great threat. He'd be running the point and getting me the ball in transition. That would be great!
John Gaspar (Metuchen): How would you compare this year's squad going into the preseason to last year's team? What do you think will be our biggest improvement?
Walter McCarty: I think this year's team is more confident and stable. That should help us go out and play as a team, and win as a team. Last year there were too many distractions. This year should have less distractions. I think we have good talent here and we can use a lot of different schemes to win games and it should be an exciting year for us.
Colin Little Rock, AR: Walta, Any plans on a new CD?
Walter McCarty: Yeah, I'm revamping my studio right now, updating my equipment. Hopefully by the end of the spring it will be ready and things are in process and moving.
Uncle Paul (NYC): I just moved to NYC from Boston and got the NBA League Pass so I can watch you guys. Are you confident the C's will win the Eastern Divistion this year?...There's nothing I want to see more, than you guys beating out the Knicks this year!
Walter McCarty: I think we have a good opportunity. I think we can win it. We just need to come together as a team and play well.
Walter McCarty: Thank you everybody for showing the love and chatting with me. I appreciate it. If you are local, I hope you will come down to the Roxy Ballroom in Boston on October 3 for our benefit for the I Love Music Foundation.
