By Sam Amico

BAKING UP SOMETHING GOOD

I like the Vin Baker deal.

There, I said it.

In fact, I'll say it again -- I really like the trade that sent Baker and Shammond Williams from Seattle to Boston for Kenny Anderson, Vitaly Potapenko, and Joseph Forte on July 22. I even like the Sonics' end of it (but more on them later).

For now, let's talk about Baker and the Celtics. For now, I'll give you my very first thought after hearing about the deal:

"Man, if the Celtics get a point guard who can dribble, the rest of the Eastern Conference is in for some serious trouble."

I mean, can you imagine what happens if Baker becomes the motivated player he was in Milwaukee? Can you imagine an inspired Baker playing alongside all-stars Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce?

I can, and it ain't pretty for the rest of the East.

Actually, all Baker has to do is display a little more aggressiveness, and the Celtics get my vote for the team with the most potent trio in today's NBA.

We always hear about the outstanding duos -- Shaq and Kobe, Webber and Bibby, Stockton and Malone, even Garnett and Szczerbiak. But I really like the sound of Walker, Pierce, and Baker.

Granted, this is Baker who we're talking about, the same man whose passion was in question during each of his five seasons in Seattle.

As SuperSonics coach Nate McMillan said on the day of the trade, "For whatever reason, the marriage of Vin Baker and the Seattle SuperSonics didn't work."

McMillan makes a solid point, as Baker never averaged 20 points per game in any of his seasons in Seattle. This despite averaging 21 points in each of his final two years in Milwaukee (1995-96 and '96-97).

Still, Baker was never bad with Seattle. He just never turned into the all-star the Sonics expected, after unloading Shawn Kemp in that three-team deal involving Cleveland and the Bucks.

But I like Baker. He just completed his 10th NBA season, and even on his worst days he brings a certain degree of professionalism to the court. Plus, Baker is an old-school big man -- meaning he actually has some moves in the low post, a concept lost on many of today's younger players.

You can bet Pierce and Walker will be pushing Baker, doing their best to convince him that if he plays well consistently ... well, then the Celtics are just a point guard away from very big things.

ABOUT THAT POINT GUARD

Right now, the only true point guards on the Celtics' roster are Williams and Omar Cook. I'm the world's biggest Omar Cook fan, but he didn't play in the NBA last season, and even I admit that he isn't ready to take a team deep into the playoffs.

Williams has also proven to be nothing more than a solid backup -- and there's nothing wrong with that. It's just that solid backups shouldn't be forced into starting (Indiana's Kevin Ollie, while arguably the nicest guy in the NBA, supports that point).

So hopefully for Celtics fans, general manager Chris Wallace is still working the phones, trying to bring in an experienced floor leader.

Of course, if you read my book, "A Basketball Summer," then you know Wallace NEVER stops working the phones. (Yes, when it comes to plugging my book, I am shameless).

AS FOR THE SONICS

A lot of Sonics fans have e-mailed me a question with the following sentiment -- "Couldn't we have gotten more for Baker?"

My answer is obviously not. Let's remember that Baker never got comfortable with his role as The Guy Who Replaced Shawn Kemp. It would've been difficult for anyone to replace Kemp in Seattle, and after about six months in a Sonics uniform, Baker seemed to just shrug his shoulders and give up.

And who knows? Maybe Potapenko will be the hustling big man the Sonics need. There's still time, as he's just 27 years old.

Also, Anderson will be a wonderful backup to Payton, and the Sonics may even use Anderson and Payton on the court at the same time.

Finally, I think Seattle may have gotten a steal in Forte.

Yes, he played in just eight games for Boston as a rookie last season, scoring a measly six points. Yes, he seemed overwhelmed in practice. And yes, he should have stayed at North Carolina for another year.

But Forte will get an opportunity in Seattle to be a contributor, and will be taught by a former NBA guard who once got the most out of his abilities in Coach McMillan.

AND FINALLY ...

Did you realize that the Celtics have now traded two of their three first-round picks from last summer? Joe Johnson, who the Celtics selected 10th, was traded to Phoenix at midseason (in the deal that brought Tony Delk and Rodney Rogers to Boston).

And now Forte -- who was selected 21st at the urging of Red Auerbach -- is also gone. That leaves Kedrick Brown as the lone first-rounder from Boston's 2001 draft. Brown was chosen 11th, but played sparingly last season and is not expected to be much of a contributor for some time.

SUMMER TIP-INS

More thoughts from the NBA summer leagues:

-- I've really enjoyed watching little point guard J.R. Bremer, who went undrafted out of St. Bonaventure and is now playing for the Celtics' summer entry. Of course, I'm a little biased, as Bremer and I are the only two guys mentioned in this week's newsletter who are natives of Northeast Ohio (we're also both lying when we say we stand 5-10). Anyway, with Kenny Anderson having been traded, Bremer has a shot to get called back for veterans camp in October.

-- Former UConn and Chicago Bulls point guard Khalid El-Amin has resurfaced as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Just like last summer, El-Amin is playing very well, and has even outshined T-Wolves second-round draft choice Marcus Taylor.

-- New Jersey second-round pick Tamar Slay (Marshall) has been outstanding and appears to be a steal. Slay has shown an ability to put the ball in the basket, but he's also been a strong passer and ballhandler for a player his size (6-foot-7). The Nets have 11 guaranteed contracts on a 12-man roster for next season. So far, Slay has proven he deserves the final spot.

-- John Salmons has looked very good for Philadelphia's summer team, as has Johnny Taylor. Also, point guard Eric Murdock is trying to return to the NBA with the 76ers.

-- Remember Chris Porter? The former Auburn standout who was drafted by Golden State in the summer of 1999? Well, after bouncing around the minor leagues, Porter is currently battling for a spot in the NBA with Portland. Josh Davis (Wyoming) -- one of my favorite college players from last season -- is also on the Trail Blazers' summer roster.

-- Another of my favorite college players from last season, Preston Shumpert of Syracuse, is currently playing for the Bulls. I would be shocked if Shumpert made it -- simply because he reminds me too much of one of my other favorite former Orangemen, Lawrence Moten. (No, I'm not a Syracuse fan. I just liked those two guys).

-- John Linehan, William Avery, LaRon Profit and Gyasi Cline-Heard are some of the more familiar names on Utah's summer roster. Cline-Heard is the son of former NBA forward Gar Heard, and Gyasi went undrafted out of Penn State last summer.

-- Michael Wright is playing for San Antonio this summer. Wright came out of Arizona in 2001 as an undersized forward and early-entry candidate. He still doesn't appear to be ready for the NBA -- although I love how guard Jason Hart has played for the Spurs (Uh-oh. Isn't Hart another Syracuse guy?).

-- Finally, keep an eye out for guard Tyrone Ellis, a former NAIA all-american who played in the NBDL last season as a rookie. Ellis is currently on Dallas' summer roster. He's 6-4 and can play either guard position. Scouts are also impressed with his 42-inch vertical. But more than anything, Ellis is said to be just a good person all the way around.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

FROM SAMMY, A PISTONS FAN IN TAIWAN

Q: What is your opinion of Detroit second-year forward Rodney White and rookie forward Tayshaun Prince?

A: Dear Sammy, I thought drafting White so early in last summer's draft (No. 9) was a mistake by the Pistons. But I also thought getting Prince with the No. 23 pick this year was an absolute steal. It's too early to tell, but it looks as if I may be wrong on both accounts. White has looked very good this summer, while Prince has looked a bit soft -- which is why he dropped all the way to No. 23. Still, I am now sold on both guys becoming valuable players for Detroit within the next few seasons.

Finally, Sammy, I must thank good friend Chris Wang for translating your e-mail. Those of you who know how to read Chinese can check out the Amico Report on Chris' wonderful Web site at http://www.roundballcity.com.

FROM GARY BERNSTEIN

Q: Do you think the New Jersey Nets will be able to make any moves to improve during the offseason? Will anyone take Keith Van Horn off their hands?

A: Dear Gary, I'm no general manager (insert loud and hearty "amen" here), but I do know that one of the best ways to improve an already good team is to keep it intact. In other words, the Nets may be wise to give the current group another run and see what happens. If they stay healthy, they sure aren't going to get any worse. Unloading Van Horn may not be a bad idea, but I doubt there will be any takers.

FROM SCOTTIE KATO

Q: What's up with the Los Angles Clippers? I thought for sure they would have traded for Baron Davis or Andre Miller by now. Or how about this scenario -- Lamar Odom, Jeff McInnis and Chris Wilcox from the Clips to Seattle for Gary Payton?

A: Dear Scottie, you're from LA and your name is Kato? Forgive me for raising an eyebrow. In all seriousness, the Sonics would only make that trade if they wanted to watch the Clippers eliminate them from the playoff picture. But you're definitely right when you say the Clips are still trying to land Miller or Davis. There's still time, and watch for something to go down in October.

(Note: Amy Armstrong e-mailed a few weeks ago asking for the whereabouts of Mark Sanford. Well, Amy, we have your answer. Leslie James wrote in to say that Sanford is playing in the Los Angeles Summer Pro League for the LA Pros).

SAM'S SLAMS

I just went out and bought my Atlanta Hawks hat last week, and now the team is talking about trading Jason Terry. Please, Mr. General Manager Pete Babcock. Don't do it! ... Needless to say, you can read about Babcock in my book, "A Basketball Summer." ... Former Houston Rockets guard Robert Reid is currently coaching the Sugar Land (Texas) Sharks of the Southwestern Basketball League. The SBL touts itself as "the first basketball league with 100-percent African-American ownership." ... Former Golden State guard Sarunas Marciulionis is now the commissioner of the Northern European Basketball League. ... I will get to wonderful e-mails from Craig Rudnick and Massimo Consonni next time. ... Also, I'll have another major announcement regarding the Amico Report next week. For now, see below.

THE AR MAGAZINE IS COMING!

You read that right, as I will be publishing the Amico Report 2002-03 Pro Basketball Preview this October.

The 40-page printer-friendly magazine will come directly to your e-mail inbox in PDF format -- and consist of NBA team-by-team previews, photos, trivia, draft information, a special report on the minor leagues, and my analysis of the upcoming season. There will also be a page on which readers will give their own thoughts and predictions.

The magazine is only $3.50 and will be delivered to you two weeks before the season begins. How's that for a bargain?

Ordering information coming soon!

BUY MY BOOK ON AMAZON.COM

My book, "A Basketball Summer," is now available on the Amazon.com Web site. It's also available at your local Barnes & Noble bookstore (or at www.barnesandnoble.com). To find it on either site, simply perform a search for my name. As I've explained probably way too much, the book is about how NBA general managers spend their offseason, and is told mostly in the words of the GMs themselves.

SIGN UP A FRIEND

To sign up yourself or someone you know for the Amico Report, just send an e-mail address to amicoreport@hotmail.com. Why not? The Amico Report is free, and it always will be. Not bad for something that arrives in your inbox each week of the year -- even during the offseason. So sign up a friend today!

CONTACT ME

E-mail questions and comments to me at amicoreport@hotmail.com. I will try to answer questions in the newsletter, but you must include your full name.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!