By Rich Myhre
Herald Writer
SEATTLE – Assuming he gets a thumbs-up from the doctor today, as expected, Vin Baker will be back on the court this afternoon for the Seattle SuperSonics.
That’s the first step. Next the Sonics want Baker back in the low post.
After spending six games on the injured list with a bruised knee, Baker pronounced himself fit for duty after a spirited Saturday workout. The final word belongs to the team doctor, who will give the player a yea-or-nay examination this morning. But if the doc concurs with Baker – “And I’m going to make him say I can go,” the 6-foot-11 power forward playfully vowed – he will return to the active roster and perhaps the starting lineup against the visiting Indiana Pacers.
Needless to say, the Sonics can use a healthy Baker. What they also need is a formidable and consistent low-post presence, and that’s something Baker has rarely provided in recent seasons, even when he’s been injury-free.
“It would be good for him and our team if he establishes himself in the low post,” said Seattle coach Nate McMillan. “That’s where your power forward normally plays.”
Anyone who has followed the Sonics the last five years has seen a transformation in Baker’s game. After arriving via trade in the fall of 1997 as a three-time NBA All-Star, he had an outstanding debut season with the Sonics. He averaged 19.2 points and 8.0 rebounds a game, both team bests, in helping Seattle to a 61-21 record, and along the way he was voted to the All-NBA second team.
Since then, Baker’s career has tumbled to mediocrity. Several factors have contributed to the three-season slump – poor physical conditioning and moodiness, among them – but for McMillan, a glaring problem has been Baker’s penchant for drifting to the perimeter, swapping bump-and-back post moves for easy 18-foot jump shots.
Now McMillan wants the old Baker back.
“When we brought him here, Vin was capable of scoring in the low post,” McMillan said. “That’s why we basically replaced Shawn Kemp with Vin. He was an excellent low-post player.”
Understand, it takes a special soul to relish the combat that takes place around NBA baskets, where offensive players are battered on almost every possession. Still, a strong a low-post presence is vital to a successful offense, and that fact was evidenced in Nov. 3 game between Seattle and the Utah Jazz.
Utah’s Karl Malone, one of the best low-post players in NBA history, scored 28 points in 40 minutes, including 10-for-13 from the free throw line. Baker, who was paired against Malone much of the game, managed just 10 points and did not take a free throw – an astonishing statistic – in 34 minutes.
Did McMillan notice? Most definitely.
“That shouldn’t happen,” he said. “Playing that position, and if you’re receiving the ball in the post, you should look to get to the free throw line at least 6-10 times. That should be an average if you play down there.”
During Seattle’s subsequent five-game Eastern Conference road trip, McMillan told Baker to stay inside (“He said, ‘Get deeper post-up position and we’ll get you the ball,’ Baker recalled). That night, in a game at Boston, Baker responded with 23 points, eight rebounds, three blocked shots – and then promptly went on the injured list.
Today’s game, if he plays, will be an opportunity for Baker to continue what he hopes – no, promises – is going to be a new approach.
“I don’t want to come back and be passive,” Baker said. “I need to step in and get deep post position. … I thought the Boston game was the best post-up position I’ve been able to get in years. Then the injury happened, but now I’m going to come back with the same attitude about getting as deep as I can to get easy baskets.”
During his injury absence, he said, “I’ve been watching our games and we’ve been shooting a lot of jump shots. We need a low-post threat, so I don’t want to get back in the (habit) of being a jump shooter.”
A year ago, McMillan said he was “real strict” about keeping Baker and former Sonic Ruben Patterson (an outstanding low-post player) from slipping to the outside.
“I wanted to keep them on the blocks,” McMillan said. “And I’m going to go back to that (with Baker this season). I’ve basically allowed him just to play this season, but he’s been creeping further and further out. So I will talk to him more, and I have been already, about getting into the post. I’m not going to allow him to play on the perimeter so much.”
With Gary Payton, Rashard Lewis, Desmond Mason and Brent Barry, “we have good enough perimeter players,” McMillan said. “And even though Vin is capable of shooting outside, this is about sacrificing and making an adjustment to what your team needs. Everybody wants to shoot the ball, but if you’re part of a team, then you’re willing to sacrifice something you love to do.”
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