Re: Baker article

["Cecil" <cecil@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I think you may see Battie as the high post option.  He does have a nice
touch for his size from that distance.  Who the hell knows???

Cecil


----- Original Message -----
From: bird <birdwl@earthlink.net>
To: <Celtics@igtc.com>
Sent: Friday, August 02, 2002 6:47 PM
Subject: Re: Baker article


> > 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