RE: Vin Baker

["Sampath, Venkatesh" <Venkatesh.Sampath@microcell.ca>]

The Riley analogy, Mishra, is incomplete. Don't forget Tim Hardaway was
a huge part of Miami's success, I dare say, more so than Mourning. One
of the reasons I say this is because Mourning almost disappeared against
the Bulls, except for one game. Alonzo also has a pretty good supporting
cast in PJ Brown, Voshon Leonard and the centre who substitutes for him
- - Austin? or something - I can't remember. 

My problem with the trade for Vin Baker is that we are giving up too
much to acquire just that one player. The combination of Walker,
Williams, Mercer, Billups and the rest is definitely a threat,
especially when you consider the fact that they are being coached by
Pitino. I'm not saying we are championship material with these guys in,
but let's see how well/badly they do before wishing Baker were a part of
the team. After all, he and Glenn Robinson haven't exactly turned
Milwaukee around. 

It's too bad that Rick Fox will no longer be a part of this team. With
the kind of work ethic he has, he would have set a fine example to the
youngsters. I hope that Dee Brown at least will snap out of his
I'm-going-to-sulk-until-I'm-traded mood and try to live up to the
potential he showed during his first year in Boston. 

  venkat




>.com>
>> 	I respect all of the your thoughts but why give up your future (billips,
>> williams, ect...) for a player who hasn't even went to the play-offs yet.
>
>Let me draw an analogy here, Riley when he had to rebuild the Heat did all
>to aquire that one special player  who could take him to the next level.
>Many may feel that Alonzo hasn't proven himself at the highest level, but
>still has Miami has gone to playoffs two years in a row. I feel that Vin
>can make that kind of impact for us. If you look at the predictions on this
>mailing list, they are between <35-42>, add Baker to our lineup and I
>belive we will win 45.   
> 
>> Vin  might be an all-star but, Chauncey and Eric could also be stars down
>> the road.  If Vin is willing to sign for less than his market value just
>to
>> play for the C's than bring him on.  But, giving up 2 or 3 players plus
>> another draft pick, would be moving in the wrong direction.
>
>I think the keyword here is "is", Vin is an all star. Billups has to take
>that first step, he could be a bust also, nobody has seen him play against
>NBA competition. Williams is a good player but he is not an all star. In my
>view I am willing to give any number of good players, to aquire a star who
>can take us to the next level.
>
>> Vin is good, but the combo of Walker, Williams, Billips and Mercer could
>> bring us a title...
>
>Vin Baker is very good and I belive that a lineup of Baker, Walker & Mercer
>is much better than a lineup of Walker, Williams Billups and Mercer. -
>Mishra
>
>