Newsgroup: it.sport.americani
Titolo: [NBA] La trade Boston-Seattle (in inglese e un po' lungo)

The Celtics are expected to complete a trade with the Sonics as early as
today, according to sources close to the situation. The deal would send
Kenny Anderson, Vitaly Potapenko, and Joseph Forte to Seattle for Vin Baker
and Shammond Williams.
If several details get squared away, contracts are reviewed to satisfaction,
and the trade meets league approval, Boston likely would announce the move
at a press conference tomorrow. General manager Chris Wallace canceled a
scouting trip to Lithuania, which would have started this Friday, because
''too much is going on.''
Sources said there are a few sticking points to be considered before the
trade is officially completed, but no deal-breakers. The Celtics are
reviewing all aspects of the trade, from a basketball standpoint to a
financial one, and are considering team chemistry, as well. Boston is taking
a long look at Baker's contract and the many clauses it contains. The Knicks
also have expressed interest in dealing for Baker, but they don't have as
many favorable contracts to offer as the Celtics.
If the trade is made, the Celtics roster for the 2002-03 season will be
dramatically different than the squad that advanced to the Eastern
Conference final in May. While Seattle would free itself from the four years
and $50 million plus on Baker's contract, the Celtics would acquire a
30-year-old nine-year veteran and a third ''maximum'' contract (Baker), and
a 27-year-old guard with three years of NBA experience (Williams).
With the departure of veteran point guard Anderson, backup center Potapenko,
and combination guard Forte, Boston would lose two familiar faces and a
player fans never really got to know.
The Celtics' starting point guard job would be up for grabs, while the
frontcourt would be restocked without Rodney Rogers.
The deal apparently would signal the end of the pursuit of free agent
Rogers, with Baker slated to fill essentially the same role. The Celtics
apparently believed they had to make a big move to fill the void that would
be left by Rogers, the power forward acquired in February from Phoenix.
Last season, Baker played in 55 games and started 41 at power forward, where
he averaged 14.1 points per game and 6.4 rebounds and shot 48.5 percent from
floor. But those numbers represent a marked decline from the days when he
was an All-Star in Milwaukee and averaged a double-double in points and
rebounds for three consecutive seasons.
He was also an All-Star during his first year with Seattle, when he averaged
19.2 points and 8.0 rebounds.
At 6 feet 11 inches, Baker certainly could play center in the
pivot-challenged Eastern Conference, where he would join Celtics Tony Battie
and newly signed Bruno Sundov.
The Celtics' hope would be that a return to the East, and playing for a team
close to home, would rejuvenate Baker's career. Baker, who grew up in Old
Saybrook, Conn., and starred at the University of Hartford, always has
wanted to play for a team closer to his New England roots. A change of venue
to more familiar surroundings may be just what he needs to get his career
back on its All-Star path.
Williams has played backup point guard for Seattle, and was an offensive
threat in limited minutes. He is very quick with the ball.
Last season, Williams played in 50 games and started two, averaging 12.1
minutes. He recorded 4.4 points, 1.7 assists, and 1.2 rebounds per game. He
has shot almost 40 percent from 3-point range during his brief career.
While the Celtics made it to the Eastern Conference final without Potapenko,
who suffered a partially torn left ACL in the last regular-season game,
Anderson was an integral part of the playoff run.
The veteran understood and accepted his role as the player expected to get
the ball to cocaptains and leading scorers Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce.
He made smart decisions that allowed the offense to flow relatively
smoothly. It was a particularly satisfying season for Anderson, who had
suffered through an unproductive, injury-riddled season in 2000-01. In late
March, when Anderson was sidelined by a sprained left ankle, the offense
struggled as Tony Delk, then Erick Strickland, took over point guard duties.
But with one year left on his contract (albeit at $9.185 million), Anderson
is a very attractive component in a deal.
The Celtics would feel the loss of Anderson more than that of Potapenko, who
averaged 4.6 points and 4.4 rebounds. As for Forte, he could have better
luck finding minutes with Seattle.
The Boston team that takes the FleetCenter floor for the season opener Oct.
30 against Chicago could sport a new look, with new names and faces trying
to replicate the success of last season, a difficult task.
Dion Glover of Atlanta was named the most outstanding player of the Shaw's
Pro Summer League after leading the Hawks to a 6-0 record. Glover averaged
17.8 points. Atlanta beat the Celtics, 85-68, yesterday at UMass-Boston to
end the weeklong event. Forte and Kedrick Brown of the Celtics were
first-team selections to the all-league team. The Celtics finished with a
5-1 record.
This story ran on page D1 of the Boston Globe on 7/22/2002.
© Copyright 2002 Globe Newspaper Company.

 The Celtics are expected to complete a trade with the Sonics
Mah, onestamente non capisco perché. Baker giocherà centro, darà post basso
in area, però ha un contrattone mica da ridire. Pensare che possa tornare
quello dei Bucks è folle, potrebbe dare un buonissimo apporto, specialmente
nella Eastern, però la flessibilità è finita, sino al 2006 Boston punterà
solo su questo gruppo, si lamentano della luxury e si prendono questo
contrattone? Se Rogers andrà via come sembra per questione di $, allora
questa trade diventa ancora più incomprensibile, e la rinuncia a JJ alla
fine è stata una sciocchezza che si inquadra nella strategia di provarci
subito ma se va male....
Tecnicamente Baker secondo me farà bene, darà una grossa mano, ma questa è
la classica mossa che se non da frutti in 1 o 2 stagioni al massimo, si
rivela un boomerang. IMO Anderson si poteva venderlo meglio, molto meglio.
--
Ciao
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"Lo ammetto, non capisco molto di basket"
 James Dolan, owner dei New York Knicks
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 today, according to sources close to the situation.
OK, è tutto ufficiale:
Boston trades G Kenny Anderson, C Vitaly Potapenko and G Joseph Forte to
Seattle for F Vin Baker and G Shammond Williams.
--
SkydAnceR
GO KNICKS GO
NEW YORK KNICKS UNOFFICIAL PAGE:
http://digilander.iol.it/skydancer/newyork.htm

 subito ma se va male....
Sono d'accordo.
Ecco i Celtics cmq: Baker $12.375M di salario il prossimo anno (44M poi per
altre 3 stagioni), Walker la stessa cifra l'anno prossimo e poi 28M negli
ultimi due anni del suo contratto, Pierce oltre 10M l'anno prossimo. Totale
oltre 34M quando il cap è, per il 2002-03, 40.27M e sommando gli altri si va
intorno a 50M. Credo abbiano rinunciato al rinnovo con Rogers e forse
proveranno a tenersi almeno McCarty penso. Per non parlare della luxury tax
che incompe poi...
Lato giocato: Nessun play di ruolo puro, S.Williams (se pur un buon
giocatore) non credo possa guidarti la squadra come faceva Anderson (che
avrà tutti i suoi limiti ma almeno sa passare la palla benone...). Delk è
una SG e stessa cosa Bremer (a quanto pare almeno). Chi giocherà allora nel
ruolo di PG?
Baker impossibile che torni quello dei Bucks (anche se il Connecticut, dove
è nato, non è che sia lontano da Boston...) ma nella Eastern potrebbe
risollevarsi un pochino, chissà.
Roberto.