Sure he's 30, but Sonics forward Vin Baker has never looked better. Especially when you imagine what the Sonics' arduous upcoming schedule would have been like without him in the lineup.
Starting with tonight's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Sonics have eight games in 12 days, including three back-to-back sets and three matchups with current division leaders.
Unlike last week, when practices resembled a doctor's waiting room with wounded players lounging while Sonics Coach Nate McMillan practiced, yesterday everyone listed as active actually is healthy. And matching up inside against Kevin Garnett and Joe Smith tonight or Shaquille O'Neal Friday is easier with Baker, center Calvin Booth and forward Predrag Drobnjak on the roster.
"The last couple of weeks were difficult enough," guard Brent Barry said of the team's injuries. "Now we're going to be facing some very good teams. The timing couldn't be better to get them back."
Baker, Booth and forward Rashard Lewis will be challenged against the Timberwolves (10-2). Minnesota took over the Midwest Division lead and snapped the San Antonio Spurs' seven-game win streak Saturday with a 99-94 victory. Timberwolves center Rasho Nesterovic had a breakout game, scoring 24 points against the Tim Duncan-David Robinson tandem.
Last season it was the Spurs who bumped the Timberwolves out of the playoffs 3-1 in the first round. The ousting made Minnesota look reminiscent of the Sonics teams of the late '80s and early '90s that advanced to the playoffs but couldn't make it past the Western Conference semifinals.