Re: Vin Baker

["hironaka@xxxxxxxxx"<hironaka@xxxxxxxxx>]

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> 
>  And, I'm sure you know, Vin looks as bad as his stats. 
He's terrible.
>

Wow, I really don't agree! If Tony Battie attempted the 
same pivot and upfakes, much less the occasional dribble 
drives, that Vin Baker rolls into, he would look clumsier 
by far. I'm certain of this. 

I'd like to see Battie attempt a turnaround or post move 
this year, but I don't think its happened to date.

To put it another way, Baker seems more refined on his 
pivot moves compared to Parish or Walton (circa 1986). 
These are the only Celtics centers I can really compare 
him to, having largely missed out on earlier eras. If you 
strongly disagree with this assertion, let's argue.

Baker's not as swift as Parish, but not as clumsy or 
stiff-legged. Parish had the ball stripped by guards 
frequently, comparitively speaking. 

Walton also was rapidly losing his grace and mobility of 
course. He rarely laid down effective pivot moves of the 
quality that Baker has shown this year. Do you disagree?

I missed last week's Philly game and a few others, but 
I've yet to see Baker miss by a mile off of any pivot 
move. 

Sundov is the only other big man who has tried any kind 
of post move this year, and you've seen the results. He's 
1-10 on 2-point FG% so far.

Once Baker goes into a given pivot move, he seems very 
much in control. And if it were smooth but strictly 
robotic, like Walker in the past and occasional present, 
Baker wouldn't be able to adjust to how the defense 
reacts. He'd get his shot blocked.

But not only does Baker show strong technique on his 
initial pivot move, but I see he notices and is able to 
adjust a little to where his defender is at the end of 
the move. He basically has a strong professional grasp of 
that part of the game. Its a rare thing these days.

Mark, I can hardly believe we are this far off in our 
opinion. He's been disappointing, but not "terrible".

I felt that what George Callahan wrote about Baker's 
clumsiness and effort was phony. I felt he probably tuned 
into only a few games all year.

These evaluations are relative position-by-position, 
don't expect Baker to be Walker. But relatively speaking 
Baker's fine to above average compared to true centers 
around the league, or even "old school" centers we've had 
in the past (Hall of Fame caliber centers).

I've said it before, I think its appropriate to fault 
Chris Wallace for not recognizing that this type of 
player could be a dinosaur. That's exactly what Baker has 
been, with the new defensive rules. 

But as far as saying Baker looks "terrible", I couldn't 
agree. In terms of back-to-the-basket technique he looks 
good in his opportunities and makes the most of it. 

And as far as Baker making grossly obvious or clumsy 
fouls, again, I think I just need to be more attentive 
about in watching him. 

He gotten a fair number of whistles that aren't very 
apparent in the televised replays. Maybe you disagree. 
Maybe I missed some idiotic reach-ins or not-part-of-the-
game shoves. I don't recall these types of fouls.

Obviously I must be really wrong, or partly wrong, about 
Vin Baker. I say that sincerely. ANd since I'm voicing 
opinions on him, I'll try to pay stricter attention to 
his game from now on. Up to now, there have been more 
interesting controversies to focus on during games. 
People shouldn't get worked up about Vin Baker as long as 
we're winning, regardless of what Callahan and other 
write.

Joe H.

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