If this keeps up we can definately count one Western Conference contender out.

AstroRocket · Nov 26, 2000

http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2000/1126/904597.html

Sunday, November 26, 2000
Security guards needed to restrain Seattle forward

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ESPN.com news services

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Five security guards were needed to keep Vin Baker of the Seattle SuperSonics from going after Chris Webber of Sacramento in a weight room at Arco Arena after both players had been ejected from the game Saturday night, The News Tribune of Tacoma, Wash., reported.

According to one witness, The News Tribune reported, five security guards had to restrain the 6-foot-11, 270-pound Baker. They then escorted him back to the locker room.

It was a frustrating game the Sonics, 125-101 losers, and for Baker, who was burned by Webber for most of his 24 points and 14 rebounds. Baker had just 12 points on 5-for-14 shooting and managed only five rebounds in 28 minutes.

In the fourth quarter, with Sacramento leading by almost 20 points and Hidayet Turkoglu shooting free throws, Webber stood between Baker and Gary Payton talking nonstop, according to The News Tribune.

At the other end of the floor, Webber fouled Payton on a drive, and Baker, who already had gotten a technical foul earlier in the game, went over to Webber and said something.

Webber took offense at Baker's comment, and the two started shoving before teammates separated them.

The Sacramento Bee reported that Baker and Webber began talking heatedly, and the action really started when Baker put his right finger in the face of the Kings' forward. That angered Webber, and he responded with the same gesture. Those actions earned Webber two technicals and an automatic ejection.

Baker already had picked up a technical, and the subsequent technical sent him to the locker room. Baker didn't regain his composure after walking to the locker room.

He continued onward around the bowels of the arena, apparently in search of Webber, who had gestured while on the court that they could settle the matter outside, according to the Bee.

The Kings and Sonics' locker rooms are on opposite ends of Arco Arena, and the players went through different tunnels to reach them.

But Baker ran around the oval-shaped corridors of the insides of the arena looking for Webber, according to The News Tribune. In a chaotic atmosphere, security guards ran around the corridors looking for Baker, yelling into their walkie talkies as they tracked him down.

Baker -- averaging just 6.9 rebounds, second-lowest of his career, behind only the lockout season, and is shooting a career-low 43 percent -- left the locker room with tears in his eyes, although he declined to speak about the incident.

Webber did not. He insulted Baker in every way he could.

"We're power forwards," Webber said. "And I think he has it twisted about his position among power forwards."

Twisted?

"Misconstrued," Webber said. "Misunderstood. He is one of the softest power forwards in the league. He wanted to get tough, so I had to remind him what time it is."

Asked about Baker searching for him, Webber said: "He had to do that to save face. I understood. I don't care."

While Baker would not speak, Brent Barry said the game clearly was an indication of mounting tension on a team that dropped to 6-9 after giving up its second-most point total of the season.

"The frustration is building," Barry told The News Tribune. "It's mounting. It's a bad seed to be sowing so early in the season. It seems like we've gone through a lifetime, and we've played only, what, 15 games so far. These 15 games have felt like an entire season, with the ups and downs of this year. We need to get it corrected as soon as possible, but I don't have the answers for that."

Baker was not the only one who lost his emotions. In the third quarter, Seattle center Patrick Ewing was trying to get offensive position on Kings center Vlade Divac when Divac -- a serial flopper -- acted as if Ewing had elbowed him in the mouth.

Referee Rashan Michel called Ewing for a quick foul, at which point Ewing immediately went over to argue. Michel hit Ewing with two quick technicals and ejected him from the game.

On the way to the locker room, Ewing stopped in the tunnel and began to berate a fan who had said something to him.

"I was disappointed I got thrown out," Ewing said, "but I was frustrated with the calls. I didn't think I offensive fouled Vlade. He flopped. I was angry at that, and one thing led to another."

Asked if his ejection was the result of the Sonics' struggles, which included yet another deficit by at least 20 points, their seventh such deficit this season, Ewing said, "I didn't come here to lose."

Implosion? Sonics? I love seeing those two words together

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WooHoo! The season's here!....I'm still gonna need that keg of Pepto-Bismol.

TeXaSalsa · Nov 26, 2000

I dont like the sonics but i feel bad for baker. he cant seem to get his life in order. his teammates say he is a great guy. he has depression. and it didtn help that the sonics tried to trade him.

yes he should step up his game but i feel bad that his life and basketball game is such a wreck. no excuse for trying to "come after" webber but i wish he could turn his life around.

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--TEX

R0ckets03 · Nov 27, 2000

I always made so much fun of Baker, but I feel kinda bad for him. I think he might regain his form if he gets away from Scary Payton.

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ZRB · Nov 27, 2000

I think the Sonics would be better off with a Moochie Norris type point guard instead of Payton. They have a great core of Ewing, Lewis, Mason, Patterson, Barry, and Baker. Payton is a cancer to that team. There is no way he should be taking 25+ shots a night. Especially if he only makes 8. Not with such great talent around him. Poor Baker, and poor Westphal.

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2000-2001 Rockets Game Formulas:
End of 1st quarter: "They're playing so well!"
2nd: "What a great game!"
3rd: "Theres no way they can lose now!"
4th: "What the ******* **** happened?!!"
Revote! Revote! Revote!......
Rocket's Championship 2001!!

GATER · Nov 27, 2000

IMO Payton has a large ego and as the team leader is trying to carry the team. This is magnified by the fact that besides Payton & Rashard, the Sonics other starting 5 are shooting very poorly. Combine the two and you have GP shooting over TWICE as many shots as Rashard (who's second in FGA's). This even though Rashard is shooting 50% from the field.

I respect the Sonics but am not going to waste any love on 'em!

An interesting scenario if the Sonics become Lotto contenders in 2001. It's a deep draft so do they move to replace a current starter or do they take a project to replace Ewing in 1 or 2 years? I pose this because Rashard and Patterson are both playing well at the 3 and it could mean the Sonics are looking for a Morris or Battier type and willing to deal Rashard or Patterson.

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GATER

Franchises' Team · Nov 27, 2000

Payton got rid of Westphal. Nate is now the man.

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I'ma need more than 6 and a half rebounds a game from the PF

Azim da Dream · Nov 27, 2000

I concur, as great as Payton is, Jason Kidd would be much better for the Sonics than the Glove.

Hmmmm . . . ?

Azim da Dream

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We don't live for the destination. We live for the journey.
http://www.clutchtown.com

Rockets R' Us · Nov 27, 2000

Didn't Mooch play for the Sonics once? Also, eventhough Payton may be the only reason Seattle gets any TV time, I think that the team would be better off without him. He looks like he disrupts team chemistry.

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Francis out top, 9 seconds on the clock, he gives a no look pass to Cuttino Mobley, 4 seconds left, Mobley passes to an open Langhi in the corner with 1 second left! Langhi at the buzzer.......YES!!! How Sweet It Is!!

Rocket River · Nov 28, 2000

Webber has to show Baker what time it was
what a *REAL* POWER Forward is

hehehehe

I gotta like C-Webb

Rocket River

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SamCassell · Nov 28, 2000

Amiz, Rockets03, Rockets R Us, ZRB...

You are all on drugs. GP is carrying that team, and has done so for many years. Yeah he's a hothead, but he's also easily one of the top 10 players in the NBA.

The problem is that the rest of the team is underachieving (other than Rashard, who is gonna be a SERIOUS player in the league real soon). CWebb is right: Baker is a soft, fluffy marshmellow of a "power forward".

Ewing has failed to yield the results they expected (at least the Sonics didn't give him an extension). Mason has not played nearly as well as he did in the preseason, or as well as Barry/Maxwell did last year. In fact the switch from Barry to Mason to me is one of the big differences: Rick's kid played some point last year, allowing Payton to spend some time playing offguard.

Moochie was drafted by Seattle. Eric Snow used to be a backup in Seattle. So did the Sonics new coach, McMillan. All solid pass-first type guys. Seattle needs that off the bench and they don't have it.

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"Don't blame me. I think I voted for Gore."
-Florida bumpersticker

vj23k · Nov 28, 2000

i feel sorry for vin. the lockout destroyee his career. even more than others. he had one great season in seattle and it has been downhill since then. the sonics are one of my second favorite teams, but they need a coach that demands respect and everything he can get out of his players.

ZRB · Nov 28, 2000

SamCassell: That is my point. Payton is carrying that team, and he shouldn't have to. I know he's going to be the leading scorer, but he should not take 25 shots a night. He needs to make a greater effort to get the other Sonics involved.

------------------
2000-2001 Rockets Game Formulas:
End of 1st quarter: "They're playing so well!"
2nd: "What a great game!"
3rd: "Theres no way they can lose now!"
4th: "What the ******* **** happened?!!"
Revote! Revote! Revote!......
Rocket's Championship 2001!!

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If this keeps up we can definately count one Western Conference contender out.

AstroRocket Member

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R0ckets03 Member

ZRB Member

GATER Member

Franchises' Team Member

Azim da Dream Member

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Rocket River Member

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vj23k Member

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