Globe - Baker, Brown

[Eggcentric@xxxxxxx]

< Gordon claims he had discussions with the Celtics that facilitated the 
trade, and that Baker reneged on a promise to pay him $1 million if the 
deal was completed. > -  Dell'Apa, Globe

''Kedrick works diligently on every area of the game,'' O'Brien said. 
''Every time the ball leaves his hand I expect it to go in.'' - Obie

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CELTICS NOTEBOOK
Exit out of his hands

By Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff, 1/25/2003

Celtic fans and the Celtics were rooting for Paul Pierce to break his 
career high for points (48) and the FleetCenter scoring mark (47) last 
night. But Pierce departed with 2 minutes 14 seconds remaining, 
replaced by Shammond Williams, after converting 45 points in the 
Celtics' 77-58 win over Denver.

''I thought they were taking me out,'' guard J.R. Bremer said. ''I 
wanted to be cheering him on from the sidelines. I was surprised he was 
taken out when he only needed 5 points to get 50. He did some 
unbelievable things, things I've never seen before.''

Pierce, who will take a charter plane to Lawrence, Kan., for the 
retirement of his collegiate jersey tonight at the University of 
Kansas, tied a career high for field goals with 16.

''Paul was very aggressive,'' Walter McCarty said. ''He played within 
his game and didn't force anything, but he was able to get to the 
basket any time he wanted.''

Votes are in

Antoine Walker finished fourth among forwards and Pierce fifth among 
guards in fan voting for the Eastern Conference All-Star team for the 
game Feb. 9 in Atlanta.

The East starters will be Vince Carter(Toronto), Jermaine 
O'Neal(Indiana), Ben Wallace(Detroit), Allen Iverson(Philadelphia), and 
Tracy McGrady(Orlando). The West starters will be Tim Duncan(San 
Antonio), Kevin Garnett(Minnesota), Yao Ming and Steve 
Francis(Houston), and Kobe Bryant(Lakers).

Walker got 528,613 votes, Pierce received 313,652.

Baker being sued

A former Seattle SuperSonics assistant coach is suing Vin Baker, 
claiming Baker promised him $1 million to massage the trade that sent 
Baker to the Celtics.

Steven Gordon, a Sonics special assignments coach until last year, said 
in a lawsuit filed Jan. 17 he ''devoted time and resources'' speaking 
to various teams last season to promote a trade on Baker's behalf.

Gordon claims he had discussions with the Celtics that facilitated the 
trade, and that Baker reneged on a promise to pay him $1 million if the 
deal was completed.

Gordon is also seeking $46,000 a month for the duration of Baker's 
contract, which runs through 2005-06.

Experience counts

Coach Jim O'Brien decided to go with experience last night, relegating 
Kedrick Brown to the bench. McCarty, who scored 22 points in a 106-97 
loss to Milwaukee Wednesday, was in the starting lineup for the third 
time this season, at Walker's power forward slot. The benching of Brown 
could be related to his .333 shooting percentage. Brown is 1 for 19 on 
3-pointers and was 0 for 3 from the field last night. ''Kedrick works 
diligently on every area of the game,'' O'Brien said. ''Every time the 
ball leaves his hand I expect it to go in.''

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.