Re: Baker article

[bird <birdwl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> From: "hironaka@xxxxxxxxx"<hironaka@xxxxxxxxx>
>
> The big thing that jumps out is Baker saying he will be
> one of the top four power forwards in the East. I wonder
> if he is lobbying not to play center, or if the coaching
> staff has actually told him he will start next to Tony
> Battie.
I don't know, Joe.  The article also mentioned how Baker expected to get 
most of his minutes at center.  Sure would like to see that "big line-up" 
(PG-Pierce-Walker-Battie-Baker), though.  It has many things going for it,
 but I fear for its implementation.  Hopefully, Obie will come up with 
some new offensive ideas.  Last year's weren't bad -- you can't argue with 
success -- but Obie has got to realize that, with a new cast of characters,
 who have differing strengths and weaknesses, his offense and defense must 
change.  You can't turn Baker into just a high-post passer and jump 
shooter, though I think Vinnie can do this, because it neglects his inside 
game.  However, Obie's new may look a lot like the old: maybe all three 
guys will rotate being the lone inside offensive post threat.

The big line-up probably won't happen for two main reasons other than 
because moving Walker to the three is the right thing to do and therefore 
will not be done: 1) It'd mean more time for Bruno Sundov.  Now, I like 
this idea.  Sundog's 7'3" and, apparently, hungry.  Could at least see 
what he's got to offer.  2) Less time for Obie's cast of swingman-types 
(EWill, Brown, Delk), though there are less of them now.  Obie likes small 
ball, but maybe he sees that this team is different.  If Sundov can 
actually play, we're much bigger.  We could have a size advantage at every 
position, and some of these guys are quick, too.  I'm salivating as I type.

Whether Baker works out or not, I haven't seen this much hype and spin for 
a player in a long time.  And, you know what?  It almost has me convinced.
  What's wrong with 16 points and 8 rebs? I ask myself.   Sure, you lose 
Kenny and thus the only real pg on the team, but he's gone.  Sure, there 
are many reasons why Baker *won't* work out in Boston.  There were lot's 
of reasons the C's wouldn't make it to the playoffs last year, either.  I 
think in Seattle, they blamed Vin Baker directly for the lack of success.  
I don't see Vin Baker as that kind of guy.  As long as Walkerpierce take 
the heavy load, tote that barge, lift the bale, *and* shoulder most of the 
focus, (and thus, blame), at least for a while, maybe Baker can settle in 
and do some damage.  I find myself not as worried about Vin Baker as I am 
about the cast of probable low money/low talent that may surround them.  
The team really needs to maximize the effect of the guys on team who 
possess real talent (The Big Three (Salaries), Battie, Brown, Delk ... 
hmmm, after that, the pickings are slim).  I'm tired of waiting around for 
guys like Bremer to really contribute.

The sign I really want to see is the C's go after a good point guard.  I'm 
not usually waiting around for a free agent, but this time I'd like to see 
a sign, a portent.  Sign up a good point guard.  if you don't want a "true 
point guard" fine, just pick one who you see fitting into the team.  Want 
defense and shooting?  Then target the top 3-5 guys and go after (one of) 
them.  Don't wait for the guys who couldn't get contracts to fall into 
your laps.  Get a starter, and not just some guy who would start because 
he's better than Bremer and Delk.  I realize this is a tall order.  It may 
even be put off a year -- for the draft or, more likely, the free agent 
pool.  I guess I expect to see the C's sign a guy -- say like Damon Jones 
-- who ought to be fighting it out for one of the backup slots.  I'd be 
happy with something better.


> Atleast he's no Pitino. I can easily picture Pitino doing
> what Nate McMillan did. Baker wouldn't have lasted a week
> under Pitino.
Not even close.

> Spare the rod in practice and he'll hopefully be able to
> motivate himself. Obie's not the type anyway to single
> out a player for criticism.
This is key.  I don't know how Obie will handle Baker.  I suspect, though,
 that Obie's enough of a player's coach to give this a decent chance at 
working.


> As for the fans, I think/hope they'll lay off Baker if he
> can average 8 board while shooting 50%. Its the captains
> who will carry the brunt of fan expectations and
> criticism.
Perhaps they'll try the ol' "Boo that bad behavior out of him" ploy?  That'
s bound to work out well.

> WEEI and Peter May articles will have to be made strictly
> off limits to Baker. NO RADIO...rip the antenna off his
> SUV.
Vin Baker thought the media light in *Seattle* was hot?  He's already got 
a taste of it if he wandered over to espn, or virtually anywhere.  I 
suggest he avoid watching or listening to the sports media as you do.  
Seriously!  At least have some sort of media plan.  Hmmmm, somewhat 
fragile guy, blood-thirsty sports hosts and the like.  Perhaps Springer 
will be Baker's Howard Cossell?

Bird