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Saturday, April 15, 2006
Ex-Sonic back in league after alcoholism battle
Overshadowed in the Vladimir Radmanovic-Chris Wilcox storyline Friday was the return of Vin Baker to Seattle. The former All-Star and Sonics cornerstone was on the Clippers' bench, light years away from serving lobster at his new restaurant in Hartford, Conn., which was what he was doing before signing with the Clippers on Feb. 27.
Of course, his years in Seattle are considered bittersweet after he led the Sonics to the Western Conference semifinals in 1997-98 before alcoholism and subpar play led to his trade to the Boston Celtics in July 2002. Baker was released by the Celtics and then spent forgettable stints with the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets before being released.
This past summer, Baker, 34, worked with recovering addict and former NBA coach John Lucas and regained his desire for the game.
"This story could have easily went one of two ways, not being on the court and ending my career and something bad could have happened," he said. "I had some great people surrounding me. It's a blessing to be back."
Some Sonics fans blame Baker for the team's decline in the late 1990s. After that 1997-98 season, Seattle didn't advance past the first round with Baker, and he signed a seven-year, $86 million deal in August 1999.
He chooses to remember Seattle with fondness.
"This is the first place that I ever won," he said. "I went to the playoffs three times here. When I come back, I think about winning the Pacific Division with Gary (Payton), Detlef (Schempf) and (coach) George Karl."
Baker is mostly a veteran bench leader for the Clippers, working closely with All-Star forward Elton Brand and center Chris Kaman. In five games with the Clippers, he has averaged 1.2 points.
"Working in the gym, I started to get my love back for the game," he said. "I wanted to be back in the league. And I want to be back next year and the year after that. "
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