It's About Time G League Legend Maurice Baker "Returned" To The NBA
After five NBA games and a decade more of pro experience, two-time NBA G League champion Maurice Baker makes a long awaited return to the NBA in a new role with the Pacers.
Maurice Baker played in five NBA games during the 2004-05 season for the Blazers and Clippers, only never to be seen on an NBA hardwood again.
There’s where most stories of basketball journeymen end, but not “Moe.”
He’s back after more than fifteen years, albeit it in a different capacity. It’s been far too long. Making it to the NBA is an accomplishment that should be celebrated, whether it be for five games or five hundred. But it’s what Baker did, making the most of his time thereafter, that should get Pacers fans excited for the team’s newest video/player development assistant’s arrival.
In many professional basketball circles (arguably most notably, the Golden State Warriors’ organization), Baker is of legendary status. A veteran of ten NBA G League seasons (all with the Dakota Wizards / Santa Cruz Warriors), Baker ranks in the top five in a number of all-time NBA G League statistical categories, including steals (2nd), games played (3rd), assists (5th), rebounds (4th), and defensive rebounds (2nd).
Baker owned a 10 points per game career average through 357 minor league contests. It’s clear his impact on the game and the people around him went well beyond his ability to pour in the points, and that’s the way it should be. When he won his first NBA G League title in 2007 (worth noting, this was after what would be his only cup of coffee in the NBA), Baker was one of the Dakota Wizards’ headlining attractions. The next season, he averaged 18.2 points. As the seasons progressed and the Wizards moved to Santa Cruz as part of their affiliation with the Warriors, Baker’s on-the-court role diminished but his presence was more needed than ever and his impact ever felt. The NBA G League all-star who had already gotten a taste of the big league life wasn’t above driving the team bus to provide player transportation or to help move equipment. Conditions have steadily improved in the NBA G League over the years, but back then it wouldn’t have been a surprise to see Baker driving the team bus late into the night (or at least riding shot gun to lend moral support to that night’s driver) to help Santa Cruz venture out to Bakersfield, California (or elsewhere) so that players (himself included) could suit up for the game the next night.
Why is this relevant or applicable to the Pacers’ interests in hiring him now? Baker’s coach during his last season in Dakota and first season in Santa Cruz was none other than new Pacers head coach Nate Bjorkgren, who saw Baker’s dedication, skill, and selflessness first-hand. The two made it to the NBA G League Finals together in 2013, and Baker went on to win a championship two years later under Casey Hill, a current Pelicans assistant, who also shouldered much of the team bus driving duties.
"That was my buddy right there," Baker said of Coach Hill back in 2014. "He used to leave me the keys to his truck, so we definitely have been able to build up that relationship. It goes back to all the way back then, and I know his father (who, coincidentally enough, is former Pacers’ coach Bob Hill), so we have a good relationship.”
I’m not one to discuss personal experience much here, but I will as a means of shedding light on Baker. I observed the Santa Cruz Warriors’ training camp prior to their championship winning 2014-15 season. At that point, Baker was in his mid-thirties. There was no real reason for him to be there, much less work hard in the minor league. But there he was competing in the gym each and every day. He had clearly lost a step of athleticism and agility over the years, but he kept showing up. His younger teammates would apply pressure defensively and go at him hard in the lane trying to get off an easy shot, and Baker never backed down. He appeared tired, perhaps, but never discouraged. He competed with intent, presented a challenge, and then was all smiles while providing laughs and high-fives when it was all done. Everyone loved him and it was easy to see why.
Coach Hill had given the team a day off during camp. Something told me to go down to the gym anyway to see if anything was going on. I arrived the next morning after breakfast. Baker had beaten me there and was already getting shots up. Despite being put through the ringer with stiff competition the day before, Baker was looking spry with a high conversion rate. Besides myself (an unexpected spectator for Baker), just one assistant was there to witness his prowess and relentlessness. Following the veteran’s example, a number of his teammates made it to the gym later in the day. Some looked surprised to see Baker there, perhaps suggesting they wouldn’t have been if they were him.
Even at that point, the twilight of his playing days, Baker loved to compete. He loved the opportunity to be part of a team and have that camaraderie with people. He enjoyed the community, one that showered their basketball players like him with love and support. He returned the favor, appearing enthusiastic and considerate at events supporting local businesses. Players were mandated to take part, but Baker appreciated the fans and it showed.
Baker won his second NBA G League title that year, averaging 4.5 points in 19 regular season appearances. His contributions to yet another winning culture went well beyond what you see there. With a beaming smile during his team’s championship celebration, his ability to elevate his younger teammates was clear. Baker was the consummate role model. His teammates admired him as a friend, appreciated his mentorship, and bestowed him with all the respect.
"They all kind of call me Chauncey Billups around here. They look at me as the veteran, and it's a role I don't take very lightly," Baker said gushingly at the time. "I have a standard to uphold around here. I have to show it and set the example by working hard and doing everything I can in practice and when I'm on the floor."
Even while Baker was rehabbing an injury, he was still in the mix.
"The coaches allow me to stick around and be with the team and go on road trips. Everyone wants me around, so that means a lot. I try and bring an extra voice. Sometimes they might tired of listening to Coach! So I just bring something different. They relate to me. I like to get them going,” he explained.
That’ll bode well for Baker, who has been coaching high school basketball in recent years. Coincidentally enough, that’s how Coach Bjorkgren first dipped his toes into the water of coaching.
He’ll show up early and stay late. He’ll be an advocate for players going through the grind. He’s seen it all and clearly knows how to muster up motivation amid the ups and the downs.
After training camp in 2014, I made a number of trips back to town throughout the season. I’m not sure Santa Cruz wins the title that year without Baker.
"I still have that fire in my belly, you know? I love Casey [Hill] so much, so I want to give this team everything it takes in order to win," he said. "I love the game, and I'm just not ready to hang it up yet. That's why I keep coming [back] here."
Indeed, Baker loves the game. After such perseverance over the years, it’s nice to see some of that love being reciprocated once again. There might be no one that deserves to be associated with the game at the highest level more than him.