Baker Believes His Past Can Aid Griffin

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">At the end of a recent Timberwolves practice, Vin Baker looked at Eddie Griffin and nodded toward his younger teammate with whom he shares a special connection and a similar struggle with alcohol.

Baker believes he can be a positive influence.

He was a friend of Griffin's older brother, Marvin Powell, who played at the University of Hartford. Powell finished his college career in 1988, the year before Baker arrived at Hartford as a freshman. But they became friends through their connection to the school.

Powell was the proud older brother of Eddie, one of the best high school basketball players in the country before he went on to star at Seton Hall. Powell died of a heart attack in 2001 just a few months before Griffin was drafted seventh overall by the New Jersey Nets.

"Whenever I would see Eddie, I would always talk to him about his brother," Baker said. "We've been able to kind of form a special bond between each other because of his brother."

Baker and Griffin have battled alcohol issues, and each went through rehabilitation. Now Baker believes he can help Griffin, 24, stay out of trouble.

"That's more important than anything," Baker said. "If I can help this kid in the next five years by the one year or two years that I'm here with him, that would mean the world to me. It would mean more to me than any all-star team or Olympic team I've been on."

The Boston Celtics released Baker in 2004 because he failed to comply with the conditions of his aftercare treatment. He has made mistakes, so he doesn't pretend to have any grand plan to help Griffin. Just living his life the right way will stand out more than anything else, along with the occasional word of advice.

Wolves coach Dwane Casey said he believes Baker will be a good influence for Griffin, who in 2003 underwent therapy for depression and treatment for substance abuse. He was waived by the Houston Rockets, and then picked up by New Jersey, but he didn't play for the Nets, either. He missed the 2003-04 season as he dealt with his problems.

Baker, a 6-foot-11 forward, joined the Wolves about a month ago, but already his relationship with Griffin has grown stronger than it was when they first met a few years ago.

"He knew I was going through the same things he was going through," Griffin said. "And since he got here with us, we've just gotten closer. He's been like a mentor for me and somebody I can talk to."

Griffin isn't the type to spend a lot of time with his teammates. He is reserved, so he doesn't hang out regularly with Baker. Their bond is a different one.

"He just lets me know he's there for me," Griffin said.</div>

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