Re: Transcript: Press Conference

["Dan Forant" <dforant1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I like their attitude and articulate manner.

DanF
----- Original Message -----
From: <hironaka@nomade.fr>
To: <celtics@igtc.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2002 5:26 PM
Subject: Transcript: Press Conference


> Baker, Williams Press Conference
> http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/baker_pc_020723.html
>
> Chris Wallace:
> Welcome, and thanks for coming out today, the Celtics are
> pleased to announce our latest additions to the team. To
> my immediate left Shammond Williams and one over from
> Shammond a native from New England, who is ecstatic about
> coming home, Vin Baker. These are players that have
> established themselves in the league for their offensive
> gifts. Shammond has been one of the better three point
> shooters among the point guards in the league of the
> three years that he has been in the NBA. You might
> remember him in the Shaws Pro Summer League where he
> made his debut in the league three years ago. He is
> someone that we have tried to trade for in the past and
> been unsuccessful up until this point. Vins
> accomplishments speak for themselves; hes been an all-
> star in the league and Olympian, and the best part about
> this whole situation is the look of joy I see on his and
> his fathers face since they have been here yesterday --
> that they're back home and getting the opportunity of a
> life time playing for the Celtics. So if you have any
> questions feel free to fire away.
>  Vin Baker:
> Well Im very ecstatic as Chris mentioned about playing
> for the Celtics. A large part of the reason is because I
> grew up here in New England, Connecticut, about an hour
> and 45 minutes away. I have an opportunity to play in
> front of my family, and I also have an opportunity to
> play for one of the story franchises in all of sports,
> the Boston Celtics. Growing up in this area and being a
> fan of the Celtics, with those things combined and how
> they are a very good young team made it to the Eastern
> Conference finals last year. With those things combined,
> I think it makes for great situations being home and
> playing for the Celtics.
>
> I think coming back East and playing out West for five
> years, I have gained more experience. I think my game at
> this stage in my career really fits the Eastern
> Conference. I think playing in Seattle and playing for a
> fast-paced team and playing on the West Coast offense, I
> think Im going to suit this team well. I think this team
> likes to run. Theyre an East Coast team but I think
> theyre a team that plays Western style. I think my game
> at this stage of my career, being a low post presence for
> this team and also being able to play in an up-and-down
> system, I think it's going to be a perfect fit. Four
> years in Milwaukee I was an All-Star, but never played in
> the playoffs. The last five years in Seattle I have been
> able to play in the playoffs three times, so somewhere in
> the middle of that road of being an All-Star and having
> playoff experience, I hope to bring that to Boston.
>
> No, there are no concerns at all. My only concern is
> coming here and helping this team with the continued
> success that they have had. Those two guys Antoine and
> Paul are great young basketball players, and I just found
> out from Leo and Chris last night that Im the oldest
> person on the team. I want to make this team, get this
> team over the hump. I think this team can make the
> finals, and hopefully Im a piece of the puzzle to get
> them there.
>
> Im not sure yet, Ill probably know by the time training
> camp starts. I know Antoine and Paul are very versatile
> players who like to handle the ball a lot, so Ill find
> out in the locker room who I have to kiss up to to get
> the ball a little bit.
>
>  Shammond Williams:
> For a young guy like myself, its a great opportunity and
> its been something have been waiting on for a long time.
> I have had the opportunity to play sporadically in the
> past and to just have the opportunity to be here in
> Boston, I can see myself becoming a better basketball
> player. And with the things I have to offer, it suits
> this team. It always feels great to be part of another
> one, not just somebody thats winning year in and year
> out, but somebody thats going to be consistent winners
> over the years. I think its going to be a great
> opportunity for myself, as well as Vin, to be in a
> situation where we're appreciated and we can go out and
> do the things that were customed to doing helping this
> team reach levels that they want to reach.
>
> Theres a goal for me. Im here to make this team better.
> There is an opening there, and Im looking forward to
> filling that void. But the most important thing is me
> becoming a better basketball player, and like I said
> before, to help Boston get a world championship. They
> made it to the Eastern Conference Finals and the thing
> were here to do is make them go to the next level. And
> being a winner thats what Im about, try to win
> championships.
>
>  Vin Baker:
> I definitely dont think there was a problem with
> confidence. They also mentioned a problem with the
> marriage that we had in Seattle, myself and the Sonics,
> but my confidence is at an all-time high, and right
> before the three dislocated toes last year, right before
> the playoffs, I though I was playing the best basketball
> I played in the last three years. My confidence is still
> there, I feel like I can be a terrific player in this
> league, and Im going to work the next two months to get
> ready for that coming this season.
>
> Right now Im about 260, my playing weight is about 255
> so by the time camp hits, I should be right around 255 or
> well under 255. I probably got to about 275 during the
> lock out.
>
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