Fwd: Baker comes out! Will he trip on the carpet, or take the city by storm?

[JB <jimmetz@xxxxxxx>]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: JB <jimmetz@mac.com>
> Date: Wed Dec 11, 2002  6:25:38  AM US/Eastern
> To: Celtics' Stuff <Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: Baker comes out! Will he trip on the carpet, or take the city 
> by storm?
>
> 	What already would have been an interesting game, since we only get 
> to see the rising Suns, with our former munderkind, Joe Johnson, twice 
> a season, has become even more of a focus, with the suspension of Tony 
> Battie and  the resultant start for the struggling, Vin Baker.
> 	Not only do we get to measure first hand, the decision to trade 
> johnson and keep Kedrick Brown in the playoff made trade last season, 
> for Tony Delk and Rodney Rogers, but we get to see if the Baker blimp 
> can get off the ground. (I know he's in shape, but what a shape!)
> 	Interesting  that Paul Pierce didn't remember that johnson was 
> playing for Phoenix:
> ``You know, I forgot actually Joe was on the team,'' he said before
> laughing at himself yesterday. ``I mean, because when you think of
> Phoenix you think of Stephon (Marbury), Penny (Hardaway), Shawn
> (Marion),..." as he might just find himself guarding and being guarded 
> by Joe, at some point in the game.
> 	As I see it, Walker will guard Amare Stoudamire, a tough kid, who was 
> drafted right out of high school, has shown, unlike Joe Johnson, or 
> Kedrick Brown, who each had two years of college ball, that he can 
> play in the big leagues. Walker will have his hands full.
> 	Shawn Marion  has a big height advantage over Pierce, or Eric 
> Williams, so i suspect Walter McCarty will get on him early, even if 
> Williams starts.
> 	Baker should have an easy time against Jake Tsakalidas. Jake is slow 
> and not a great leaper, or a major part of the Suns offense.
> 	Tony Delk and S. Williams will have their hands full with Stephon 
> Marbury, out of the spotlight in Phoenix, but still in his prime and 
> capable of taking over any game.
> 	That leaves Paul on the aging and creaky Anfernee Hardaway. Hardaway 
> is slowed by injury, but plays within himself, has a smart game and 
> will need to be watched. If he is left alone, he cvan still bury you 
> and if he is anfterthought, he can make the finishing pass, as another 
> man is left open as the defender has to recover to him. Since Anfernee 
> usualy gets about 25 minutes, Joe Johnson will be the man  Pierce may 
> have to guard. On defense, I expect Shawn Marion to be all over Paul. 
> Marion is quick, big and wanting to make a name for himself.
> 	No matter, the side shows, the main ring, will feature Vin Baker. All 
> eyes, from coast to coast, will be on him  to see if, given minutes, 
> he can give the Celtics more than six fouls. While it's still early, 
> by coach O'Brien's timetable for Vin's ascension:
> ''I said this to Vin in front of the team,'' said O'Brien. ''I thought
> the last six or seven games his defense has become very, very solid. I
> have always maintained that as soon as his defense gets to the level of
> the guys who are returning from last year's team, that will be the
> start of nothing but good things. I think he's getting there. I thought
> he played very, very good basketball [against Orlando].
> 	We really will expect to see for ourselves what the  coach has only 
> seen in practice. Can Baker score points and rebound, anywhere near 
> his pre Celtics level, let alone his pre Sonics, all-star days?
> 	Phoenix is a team that shoots poorly, but defends tenaciously. Sound 
> familiar? They also have some young legs and will hit the boards with 
> more strength that our guys may like.
> 	Prescription for victory? As always: pass,  pass, pass.
>
> 	
> 		JB
>
> 	Unchain My Heart !