Would Vin Baker dominate today?

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Would Vin Baker dominate today? 

Post#1 » by ScrantonBulls » Thu May 2, 2024 1:23 am

I caught an interesting discussion in another thread. A couple guys were discussing whether Vin Baker would dominate today's era. I can't say I remember Vin having many dominating traits. Do you think he would be a dominant player today?

bledredwine wrote:
tsherkin wrote:
bledredwine wrote:Pretty much all of the B-list stars of the 90s is definitely well-equipped to be a star today.
Take Vin Baker. His game perfectly translates to today's talent/rules. He'd kill it.

Didn't stand a chance in the 90s.



What? That's ridiculous. Sub-50% 2pt shooter, 64% FT shooter, bleh passer, bleh defender, net negative on O. He had one good season in 98 and otherwise largely sucked.

He'd be awful today.

Am I falling for you kidding here? Because this is so ridiculous it feels like it can't be serious.


No chance. He was too skilled, regardless. He was an athlete and he'd find a way to score, especially in this zero defense beat-one-man to get a layup era.

His sub 50% 2 point shooting was because he took many post-up/midrange shots. He was still .490 from the field. Come on now. Barely under .500.

Lebron is sub 40% beyond 3 feet. Didn't stop him from scoring 30 per game. Actually, he's been trash beyond 3 feet, and below average from 3. Athleticism matters.
bledredwine wrote:There were 3 times Jordan won and was considered the underdog

1989 Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons, the 1991 NBA Finals against the Magic Johnson-led Los Angeles Lakers, and the 1995 Eastern Conference Finals against the NY Knicks
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Re: Would Vin Baker dominate today? 

Post#2 » by kodo » Thu May 2, 2024 1:45 am

I assume he would have been an alcoholic in any era, so I would say nothing changes.

The fact that he made the AS team, All-NBA, and got MVP votes while drinking during games (he had vodka in his water bottles) is kind of an amazing statement on the talent level. But I don't see anything about the modern era that would have stopped that.
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Re: Would Vin Baker dominate today? 

Post#3 » by Wallace_Wallace » Thu May 2, 2024 2:02 am

He might dominate the bakery industry since he got a head start at Starbucks.

He’s like a teddy bear version of Zach Randolph, so no he won’t dominate today’s NBA
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Re: Would Vin Baker dominate today? 

Post#4 » by bledredwine » Thu May 2, 2024 2:41 am

Thanks! I appreciate the attention.

Yep. He'd likely be an all star today, with all of the open space and his athleticism/talent.
LeBron has a 17.8% field goal percentage and a 12.5% 3-point percentage in clutch situations, and also made 20 of 116 game winning/tying shots in 4th/OT during his career :wink:
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Re: Would Vin Baker dominate today? 

Post#5 » by ScrantonBulls » Thu May 2, 2024 3:12 am

bledredwine wrote:Thanks! I appreciate the attention.

Yep. He'd likely be an all star today, with all of the open space and his athleticism/talent.

It's certainly a good debate!
bledredwine wrote:There were 3 times Jordan won and was considered the underdog

1989 Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons, the 1991 NBA Finals against the Magic Johnson-led Los Angeles Lakers, and the 1995 Eastern Conference Finals against the NY Knicks
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Re: Would Vin Baker dominate today? 

Post#6 » by RookieStar » Thu May 2, 2024 3:14 am

Gin Baker??
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Re: Would Vin Baker dominate today? 

Post#7 » by Hoops3355 » Thu May 2, 2024 4:18 am

You know it's funny. My pops and I sometimes talk about Vin and that Bucks squad. I used to love Glenn Robinson since I got one of his Rookie cards that was signed. I don't remember Vin having that quick of feet which is still the kiss of death in today's NBA.
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Re: Would Vin Baker dominate today? 

Post#8 » by SHAQ32 » Thu May 2, 2024 4:24 am

Only if he could shoot 3s
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Re: Would Vin Baker dominate today? 

Post#9 » by Ritzo » Thu May 2, 2024 4:50 am

Markkanen is better than him in every aspect of the game. Markkanen is good but he's not DOMINATING the league.
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Re: Would Vin Baker dominate today? 

Post#10 » by Beethoven » Thu May 2, 2024 5:14 am

No.
Kobe Bryant forever
GO LAKERS
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Re: Would Vin Baker dominate today? 

Post#11 » by Hellcrooner » Thu May 2, 2024 5:18 am

he would absolutely dominate..........................the bar.
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Re: Would Vin Baker dominate today? 

Post#12 » by picc » Thu May 2, 2024 5:21 am

I see him averaging like 10 shots a game.

And 12 beers.
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Re: Would Vin Baker dominate today? 

Post#13 » by jkvonny » Thu May 2, 2024 5:21 am

Fat and slow.
He'd camp out at the 3 point line during the games/decoy...... or be drunk during pregame and at practice.
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Re: Would Vin Baker dominate today? 

Post#14 » by SlimShady83 » Thu May 2, 2024 8:17 am

Any of the old school guys would hehe 80's 90's at least and even some 70's 60's
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Re: Would Vin Baker dominate today? 

Post#15 » by UcanUwill » Thu May 2, 2024 8:26 am

In what world would Vin Baket dominate? I disagree its a good debate, this is people refusing to acknowledge king is naked, since the premise so wack, makes odd to even question it at first, like am I missing something? Good player, but he is not dominating anything.
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Re: Would Vin Baker dominate today? 

Post#16 » by Handlez » Thu May 2, 2024 8:30 am

VinGOAT dominating Starbucks still?

Heard he was a manager there.
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Re: Would Vin Baker dominate today? 

Post#17 » by hippesthippo » Thu May 2, 2024 9:05 am

Maybe. There's better recognition of and support for addicts these days than there was in his era.

Mind you, we could still use improvement in that area, but generally speaking I think he'd have a better chance at making use of his talents.

Dominate? No.
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Re: Would Vin Baker dominate today? 

Post#18 » by nomansland » Thu May 2, 2024 9:46 am

I got to watch his best years in Seattle and remember them as, "the guy was pretty good but not amazing."

Then I checked the stats and he'd barely be a tier 2 starter today. Couldn't shoot 3's, low FT %, nothing special on defense.

No way he would dominate anything today.
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Re: Would Vin Baker dominate today? 

Post#19 » by jpengland » Thu May 2, 2024 9:56 am

Poor shooter. Couldn't defend in space. Not a great rim protector. Below average passer.

He'd be a 3rd or 4th rotation big these days.
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Re: Would Vin Baker dominate today? 

Post#20 » by Red_man1 » Thu May 2, 2024 10:54 am

He wouldn’t dominate, but he would still be a great player, he had insane post moves, and quick first step facing up and a soft touch around the basket. He would at least be a fringe all star.

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