Lakers Coach Expected Baker To Succeed Harris Had Inside Information About New Supersonics Star
Del Harris had inside information on new Seattle SuperSonics power forward Vin Baker.
“I was disappointed that they were able to get him the day it happened,” the Los Angeles Lakers coach said. “I knew who Vin Baker was and a lot of people out West didn’t.”
In the first Sonics-Lakers meeting of the season on Saturday, Baker contributed 23 points and 10 rebounds in a 101-95 victory that improved Seattle’s NBA-best record to 33-9.
Baker, a three-time All-Star in Milwaukee, is still trying to make an impression in Seattle.
“I had a lot of built-up intensity about this game,” he said. “I couldn’t go to sleep last night.”
The Pacific Division rival Lakers, who won three out of four games from the Sonics when Seattle had Shawn Kemp last season, are 31-10.
Harris knew all about Baker because his son, Larry Harris, is director of scouting for Milwaukee.
Baker came to the Sonics Sept. 25 in a three-team trade also involving Cleveland for Kemp, who wanted out of Seattle because he was unhappy about his contract. Baker has fit in as perfectly in Seattle as Gary Payton’s defensive glove.
“There were immediately some articles that showed up out West that said, ‘So, this is going to do Seattle in,”’ Harris said. “I said to myself, ‘Boy, some people need to do their homework.”’
The Sonics are a better team with Baker than they were with Kemp, according to Harris.
“He’s a better all-around player,” Harris said. “Kemp did some things very well and on his good nights, he was a high-impact player. But Baker does everything across the board, he really doesn’t have any weaknesses and he gives it to you every night.”
Seattle’s forwards, Baker and Detlef Schrempf (19 points, 13 rebounds) outscored Lakers forwards Robert Horry and Rick Fox 42-1 and outrebounded them 23-11.
Still, the game went down to the final 20 seconds.
xxxx TONIGHT Sonics at Kings, 7:30 tipoff. Radio: KXLY 920, 7:05.