BOSTON (AP) Celtics coach Jim O'Brien saw a decline in Vin Baker's play and suspected that the forward might may have faltered in his treatment for alcoholism.

``This was not necessarily a complete shock to me,'' O'Brien said Wednesday, one day after Baker was suspended for three games for failing to comply with the conditions of his aftercare program.

``I saw a deterioration in his play _ what I would consider a significant deterioration in his play from the beginning of the year. I was not sure of what the problem was. I knew that he was not the player he was a month ago.''

Baker scored in double figures in 18 of his first 25 games with the Celtics. Over the next 10 games, he reached double figures just three times.

``I hope it's just a phase of the program that leads to the better outcome,'' said Wyc Grousbeck, a managing partner with the Celtics. ``It was doing great for a long time. I can tell you everybody in the Celtics organization is feeling badly for Vin, and supportive.''

O'Brien, Grousbeck and team captain Paul Pierce said they haven't spoken to Baker since the suspension.

``Calls are out and I expect that we will be talking to Vin very soon,'' Grousbeck said.

Baker is scheduled to miss home games Wednesday against Orlando and Friday against Cleveland and a road game Sunday against Houston.

``It's an unfortunate circumstance. We really give our support to Vinny,'' Pierce said. ``We're here to lend a helping hand. Right now he's going through a difficult time.''

``It's an ongoing struggle and there are ups and downs along the way,'' Grousbeck said. ``He's come so far that I hope he can keep going forward.''