Milwaukee Bucks: 20 Greatest Individual Performances In Franchise History
By Adam McGee
14. Vin Baker – vs. Charlotte Hornets, April 20, 1997
The mid-90s were a pretty grim period in history for the Milwaukee Bucks. As the young team that would eventually put a strong Conference Finals run in 2001 came together, the results weren’t always pretty, but there were good performances as the team continued to learn.
Vin Baker was a man who was often found at the forefront of that too. Baker was probably a little unfortunate not to have a career in Milwaukee that was timed five years in either direction, as he found himself as a Buck in a relative period of drought for the franchise.
A great example of what Baker was capable of came when the Bucks matched up with the high flying Charlotte Hornets in the final game of the 1997 regular season. The Glen Rice and Vlade Divac led Hornets sealed a 54 win season in that game, but they did so with a loss, due in large part to Baker.
Baker posted 31 points and eight rebounds, a strong showing, but not necessarily something of note in a historical sense. That is, until you consider Baker’s efficiency.
Baker made all 13 of his field goal attempts on the night, the most field goals attempted without a miss in franchise history. The Bucks finished the season 33-49, but a 20 point win off such a strong performance was a nice way to conclude.
Baker would be traded to Seattle in the offseason that followed, meaning quite incredibly that what was arguably Baker’s greatest game as a Buck, also happened to be his last.
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