Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Dallin Turner @dallinturner.bsky.social · 2h

I'm really glad he's been able to turn his life around. But I still remember fondly his early Milwaukee and Seattle days, and mourn his abrupt downfall. However, today we will honor that one magical season where everything went right for a very good Sonics team.

Dallin Turner @dallinturner.bsky.social · 2h

In 2014, Baker bizarrely joined Dennis Rodman in an exhibition game in North Korea for Kim Jong-un's birthday. In 2015, Baker became the manager of a Starbucks in Connecticut. But in 2018, he returned to Milwaukee as an assistant coach for the Bucks — a position he still holds today.

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Dallin Turner @dallinturner.bsky.social · 2h

Baker has had a really rough retirement. In 2007, he was arrested for drunk driving. In 2008, he essentially went bankrupt and lost his Connecticut mansion. But in 2011, he stopped drinking and became an assistant high school basketball coach in Connecticut.

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Dallin Turner @dallinturner.bsky.social · 2h

The Rockets waived after just three games and he wasn't able to sign with another team until February 2006, when the Clippers brought him on board. He appeared in eight games for them, then signed with Minnesota the next season. But they released him before he played a single game.

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Dallin Turner @dallinturner.bsky.social · 2h

Seattle traded Baker to Boston for Kenny Anderson in 2002. But the Celtics cut him in 2004 when his drinking had grown out of control. But the Knicks decided to take a chance on him one month later. Of course, he failed to produce and was traded to Houston in 2005.

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Dallin Turner @dallinturner.bsky.social · 2h

Baker also struggled with alcoholism, admitting he'd binge drink whenever he had a bad game. He still managed to help Team USA win gold in the 1999 FIBA Americas Championship in San Juan and the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. But he wasn't the same, dominant player he had once been.

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Dallin Turner @dallinturner.bsky.social · 2h

Baker's first season in Seattle was his one magical season. And it seemed like the Sonics made the right choice by swapping Shawn Kemp for him. But then the 1998 lockout happened. Ironically, this derailed the careers of both Baker and Kemp. They didn't stay in shape and saw their weight balloon.

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Dallin Turner @dallinturner.bsky.social · 2h

In his sophomore season, Baker led the NBA with 41.0 minutes per game and made his first of four consecutive All-Star Games. In 1996-97, Baker made the All-NBA Third Team. But the Bucks were still struggling. So they sent Baker to Seattle in that blockbuster deal that also included Terrell Brandon.

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Dallin Turner @dallinturner.bsky.social · 2h

Vinny Lamont Baker was born in Florida, but attended high school in Connecticut. He attended the University of Hartford, where he was named America Easter Player of the Year in 1993. Later that year, he was drafted by Milwaukee with the eighth pick. And he made the All-Rookie First Team.

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Dallin Turner @dallinturner.bsky.social · 2h

#OneMagicSeason: Vin Baker, 1997-98, 24 MVP points
19.2 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.1 spg, 1.0 bpg, All-Star, All-NBA Second Team
Seattle SuperSonics (61-21)

Gary Payton finished third in MVP voting, second for DPOY, was an All-Star, All-NBA First Team and All-Defensive First Team.

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Dallin Turner @dallinturner.bsky.social · 16h

Almost looked like DeAndre wouldn’t reach it.

Dallin Turner @dallinturner.bsky.social · 17h

Gugliotta signed with Boston in 2004, but they traded him to Atlanta after just 20 games. He played in 27 games for the Hawks then retired in 2005. His jersey has been honored by North Carolina State.

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Dallin Turner @dallinturner.bsky.social · 17h

In 2004, he was sent to Utah in one of the most celebrated trades in Jazz history. This was just a salary dump for Phoenix and even though Gugliotta got to start on the rebuilding Jazz, he only averaged 3.7 ppg. But the Suns included a 2010 first-round pick in that trade, which became Gordon Hayward

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Dallin Turner @dallinturner.bsky.social · 17h

In December 1999, Gugliotta nearly died after taking a shady supplement that was supposed to him sleep. He was hospitalized and it took him several weeks to recover. Unsurprisingly, his production on the court took a hit. He lost his starting job in 2000 and never played more than 57 games a year.

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Dallin Turner @dallinturner.bsky.social · 17h

Minnesota offered Gugliotta a seven-year deal. But he allegedly hated playing with Marbury, so he chose to play with Jason Kidd in Phoenix, instead. He wasn't quite as dynamic as he had been before, but he was able to help Team USA win the gold in the 1999 FIBA Americas Championship in San Juan.

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Dallin Turner @dallinturner.bsky.social · 17h

Everything came together for Gugliotta in 1996-97. He finally started playing up to his potential and Minnesota's future looked bright with him, Garnett and Marbury. Sadly, this was Gugliotta's only year as an All-Star. He started the next season off strong, until an injured ankle cost him 41 games.

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Dallin Turner @dallinturner.bsky.social · 17h

Gugliotta made the All-Rookie First Team, but the Bullets couldn't resist trading him and three first-round picks to Golden State for Chris Webber in 1994. Gugliotta only spent 40 games with the Warriors before they dealt him to Minnesota for Donyell Marshall.

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Dallin Turner @dallinturner.bsky.social · 17h

Thomas James Gugliotta was born and raised in Huntington Station, New York. He attended North Carolina State primarily because his dad was friends with Wolfpack coach Jim Valvano. Gugliotta made the All-ACC First Team in 1992 then was drafted sixth by the Washington Bullets that same year.

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Dallin Turner @dallinturner.bsky.social · 18h

#OneMagicSeason: Tom Gugliotta, 1996-97, 1 MVP point
20.6 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.6 spg, 1.1 bpg, All-Star
Minnesota Timberwolves (40-42)

Gugliotta was the only Timberwolf on the MVP ballot, but Kevin Garnett joined him in the All-Star Game. And Stephon Marbury was runner-up to Rookie of the Year.

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Dallin Turner @dallinturner.bsky.social · 23h

I did a quick look, and it seems like the only other person to serve under four prophets was Joseph F. Smith (Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff and Lorenzo Snow).

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Dallin Turner @dallinturner.bsky.social · 23h

They're trying to get you to click on the article. I understand the purpose behind that practice, but I despise it.

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Dallin Turner @dallinturner.bsky.social · 23h

Not a single question!

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Dallin Turner @dallinturner.bsky.social · 23h

Eyring and Christofferson

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Dallin Turner @dallinturner.bsky.social · 23h

Never would have guessed Christofferson!

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Dallin Turner @dallinturner.bsky.social · 23h

Mutombo's jersey has been retired by Denver and Atlanta, and he has been named to the Hall of Fame. He devoted his retirement to humanitarian work, building hospitals, combatting polio and supporting the Special Olympics. He sadly died of brain cancer in 2024 at the age of 58.