Patriot Ledger on Baker

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SPORTS
A 'new' Vin Baker returns to Celtics
 A rejuvenated Vin Baker hopes to have a ball during his second season with the Celtics. (Associated Press)	
By DEL N. JONES
The Patriot Ledger
WALTHAM - Vin Baker sat up straight and strong. 
His slender, 6-foot-11 body toned. His face muscles pulled back in a smile he could not chase away.
It was an uplifting portrait of the Boston Celtics power forward witnessed by about 50 media members during the team's annual media day before training camp for the regular season officially begins.
Baker joined his teammates and faced the local scribes for the first time since being suspended indefinitely by the Celtics for alcohol-related problems Feb. 28. After voluntarily participating in an alcohol rehabilitation program, Baker has been allowed to rejoin the team.
So, with all eyes and attention focused on him at the team's practice facility at HealthPoint yesterday, Baker spoke of a personal revival, both on and off basketball court.
''I feel good right now,'' Baker, 31, told the microcassette tape recorders and video cameras yesterday afternoon in a frame close to 30 pounds lighter than the 257 he played at last season. ''I did a lot of work over the summer, working on my body and getting my body in the best shape. I came back at about 240 pounds, so I'm excited to see if it works on the floor now.
''I'm just looking forward to finally being able to get here and get in camp. It's been a lot of work. I've been training like a fighter.''
Baker, acquired by Boston along with Shammond Williams for Kenny Anderson, Joseph Forte and Vitaly Potapenko before last season, has watched his production decline from an All-NBA rookie first-team selection with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1993-94 and a member of the USA men's Olympic team in 2000 to an aging veteran with a big contract. 
After averaging a career-high 21 points and 10 rebounds in two seasons with the Bucks, Baker's statistics sank to a career-low 5.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game as a Celtics reserve in only 52 games last season.
With his new body and his new outlook, Baker wants to bring better results as a clean and sober player in his 11th season.
''I definitely feel like I have a new lease on life in general and obviously getting a second chance at my career,'' Baker said. ''This organization has been wonderful. They've been great through this whole situation, and I'm obviously appreciative of this organization, my teammates and the staff. I definitely feel like I'm getting a second chance, and I'm looking forward to it. I think I've prepared myself physically and emotionally for that second chance, and I'm ready to go.''
Along with an aftercare program both facilitated and monitored by the NBA, Baker said he worked to get in shape with a personal conditioning and weight-training regimen,from his home in Connecticut, putting him in the best shape since early in his career. Baker also played scrimmage games with the University of Connecticut and Hartford University basketball programs during the last month and a half of the suspension.
Now back with the Celtics, Baker has to prove he's a meaningful member of this franchise. It's something the New Englander believes he's ready for.
''My teammates didn't get the best Vin Baker last year, and I want to give them the opportunity to see the best of me,'' he said.
Both the Celtics and the NBA will work with Baker in his aftercare program throughout the season. ''Just getting on the floor every day and giving 110 percent, which I prepared myself to do, over the course of training camp and over the course of the season they'll see the work that I've put in,'' he said.
''Where I've put myself physically is the best I've been in a long time, and what that ends up being I don't know, but I know I'm better than I was last year, and I'm in better shape than I was last year. I'm looking forward to getting back on the court. I don't want to overtalk about it. I've prepared myself, I worked hard in the gym, and I just want to contribute to this team. I'm just looking forward to getting on the court, getting all of the cameras out of here and getting on the court.'' 
His role on a Boston team that is younger, more athletic and fastbreak-hungry will be unsure until Baker shows he is again ready to compete against NBA talent.
The Celtics certainly hope he can. The organization is still responsible for three more years and $44 million left on Baker's contract.
''I expect Vin to be one of the best conditioned athletes to start camp,'' head coach Jim O'Brien said. ''I expect leadership from him, added low post scoring, a much more effective defensive player, a much more effective rebounder.
''In short, I expect him to be like a new player for us, like we just went out and this year and were able to sign a free agent that is the type of Vin Baker we saw in the past. How quickly he'll be able to acclimate himself remains to be seen.'' 
Baker's teammates are just pleased to see him recovering as a human being.
''I'm happy for him because he had a tough situation that he went through,'' Antoine Walker said, ''and to bounce back so quickly in a five- or six-month span is a tribute to him. I'm happy to see him smiling.'' 
Apparently, Baker has been doing a lot of that lately. 
Del N. Jones may be reached at djones@xxxxxxxxxxx
Copyright 2003 The Patriot Ledger
Transmitted Friday, October 03, 2003