No one handed a program to Walker last June and asked him to start eating better, or to start running mini-marathons on 90-degree days.

But O'Brien was pleasantly surprised when he drove to Connecticut last Sunday to take part in the Celtics co-captain's charity golf tournament.

There, greeting his guests, was an energetic, trimmed down Walker - a striking sight, considering the worn-down player who finished out last season.

``My best guess would be that he's lost in the neighborhood of 15 to 20 pounds,'' O'Brien said. ``He's watching his diet. (Personal trainer) Tim Glover has given him a dos and don'ts list, and I guess he's following it.

``It's not the first time that he's heard about nutrition - all of our guys are given the information - but it's nice to see.

``I've never been discouraged by Antoine - that's something that comes up with all of you guys (in the media) - but if he feels that he needs to be lighter, then I think it's great,'' he said. ``A leaner athlete is always a better athlete.''