RE: Perspective from Hoopsworld's Sonics writer

["Ravi Singh" <kelticsfan@xxxxxxxxx>]

With respect to Seattle playing much better without Baker, that has to
do with the fact that Seattle changed their offense to rely on their
outstanding perimeter game when Baker went down.  They went to a motion
offense and designed plays that would free up Lewis, Mason, Radmanovic,
and Payton all solid shooters.  Seattle was more able to take advantage
of their quickness and athleticism without Baker on the floor. 

Boston, runs a vastly different offense than what ultimately worked for
Seattle. The Celtics don't run and move, they play isolation basketball
because they have two go to players that can create their own shots and
get their teammates easy looks (when they want to) in Walker and Pierce.
The Sonics had Payton only and he is not a player that creates his own
shots. Seattle needed to alter their offense to highlight their roster
strengths, which was shooting.  Ball movement and player movement was
the only way to free up the shooters given their lack of players that
could create off the dribble for themselves or others.  

When Baker came back and played San Antonio in the playoffs, he had to
fit in the "new" Sonics offensive system and he played very well.
Seattle actually competed with the Spurs. 

However, Baker fits much better in an isolation offense such as the
Celtics use.  Park him on the block and allow him to work in low, if
he's doubled he kicks it out to the perimeter. Baker in effect can
replace Walker in that post roll, while providing the ability to get to
the rim and put the ball in the hole rather than have it consistently
blocked like Walker did. 

The questions surrounding Baker center on his emotional state, whether
he can motivate himself to play to his abilities, if he can, and that is
the big if, there is no question Boston will be a better team than they
were last season. 

Ravi



-----Original Message-----
From: owner-celtics@igtc.com [mailto:owner-celtics@igtc.com] On Behalf
Of Berry, Mark S
Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2002 6:19 AM
To: 'celtics@igtc.com'
Subject: Perspective from Hoopsworld's Sonics writer


Hoopsworld isn't much of a "news" site, but it's very good for getting
perspectives from avid fans like Josh and, in this case, Kevin Pelton.
Kevin brings a great perspective to this trade. I found his breakdown of
those East vs. West numbers especially enlightening. Keep those in mind
when Wallace rattles off Vin's numbers against the Eastern Conference.

Mark


>>>>As well, that performance did not translate into success. An
oft-debated statistic in Sonic circles has been the Sonics' dramatically
improved record when Baker did not play last season. That was magnified
against the East; the Sonics were a mediocre 10-9 (53%) with Baker
versus Eastern foes, an excellent 9-2 (82%) without him. 
In conclusion . . . goodbye Vin, and good riddance.