If ever Antoine Walker had a catch word, “pressure” was it.
He shouldered too much of it in Boston. He won’t carry nearly as much with the Mavericks.
Walker, acquired by Dallas in last week’s five-player deal with Celtics, is experiencing a change in expectations with his first uniform change in seven years.
“I’m looking forward to doing whatever it takes to win a championship,” said Walker, a three-time All-Star set to begin his eighth NBA season Tuesday when the Mavs face the Lakers in Los Angeles.
“My total mind-set has changed. You’ve got a legitimate shot of winning the championship. It’s tough in the West, but with these guys you’ve got to think nothing but championship.”
Pacers moves
The Indiana Pacers released guards Omar Cook and Carl English and forward Michael Smith.
Cook, a former high school All-American and St. John’s standout, averaged 3.3 points and 1.5 assists in six exhibition games.
Smith, a seven-year veteran who also spent time in Sacramento, Vancouver and Washington, played sparingly in the preseason, averaging 1.5 points. He was trying to make a comeback after spending the last two seasons overseas.
English, a rookie from Hawaii, averaged 3.5 points in six exhibition games.
Raptors cuts
The Toronto Raptors cut center Ken Johnson, a former All-Big Ten star at Ohio State, and forward George Williams.
Johnson averaged 2.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 9.8 minutes last season with the Miami Heat.
Williams averaged 3.5 points and 2.6 rebounds in 48 games with the Roanoke Dazzle of the National Basketball Developmental League last season.
