Just when it seemed as if things could not get worse for Seattle SuperSonics power forward Vin Baker, he played against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night.
And less than 24 hours after his coach said he did not give any effort, one teammate insinuated he did not have any heart.
In the fourth quarter alone, Baker missed all three of his shots, all four of his free throws and fumbled away what would have been a potential winning shot, allowing the Pistons to escape with a 95-91 victory at The Palace.
Afterward, nobody used any names, but it was quite obvious toward whom comments were directed.
Granted, rookie Vladimir Radmanovic missed a costly free throw in the final few minutes. He also threw the pass that Baker lost. And that certainly was pointed out.
But it was Baker's six-point, six-rebound outing that led Brent Barry to voice the current feelings of the entire team.
"It's not confidence, it's heart," Barry said. "You have to want to go make the game-winning shot, the winning free throws, the winning rebound, the winning play. Those are things as kids that you always think about. Now to be on this stage, to be an NBA player and have the opportunity to do it, I don't care whether it is the regular season, a playoff game or for the world championship, your focus has to be there. It's your job. When it comes down to winning time, make the play.