http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2909257<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Former NBA All-Star Vin Baker, whose 14-year NBA career was marred by bouts of depression and alcoholism, was charged early Tuesday with drunken driving after leaving a casino.The 35-year-old Baker was spotted driving erratically after leaving Foxwoods Resort Casino, according to a state police report. He failed a sobriety test and was charged with driving while impaired.State police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance described Baker's demeanor as cooperative.A four-time All-Star forward who attended the University of Hartford, Baker averaged 15.0 points and 7.4 rebounds in the NBA.The 6-foot-11 forward was a member of the gold medal-winning Olympic team in 2000 and enjoyed his best seasons with Milwaukee and Seattle.Baker's alcoholism forced the Boston Celtics to cut him midway through the 2003-04 season. He later admitted drinking in his hotel room after playing poorly and showing up to practice with alcohol on his breath.He also played for New York, Houston and the Los Angeles Clippers before being released by Minnesota six games into the 2006-07 season.Baker was released on $500 bond and was due in court June 26.</div>Way to go, Gin Baker!
This guy is a mess."He later admitted drinking in his hotel room after playing poorly and showing up to practice with alcohol on his breath."LMAO, how stupid can you get?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Courtvision @ Jun 19 2007, 02:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>LMAO, how stupid can you get?</div>Thanks for the memories Gin.
Vin Baker was born in Lake Wales, Florida, but grew up in the small shoreline town of Old Saybrook, CT. He is a hard working, polite, quite person who attended a small college (University of Hartford) before bursting onto the NBA stage were he built a resume that includes being a four time All-Star and a Olympic Gold Medal winner in Sydney, Australia.He is devoted to his family and counts his parents among his best friends. Vin has three heroes that have and continue to inspire him. His father, a Baptist minister, his uncle who taught him to play basketball and Muhammad Ali. The biggest influences in Vin's life have been his parents and his friends, particularly his former Bucks teammate, Johnny Newman. Growing up, his basketball heroes were Dr. J and Kevin McHale.Vin is an admitted homebody. He tends to shy away from the limelight, but when he's the center of attention - as he was when his college retired his number - he's always cordial and prepared. In the off-season, Vin works out and plays ball in Connecticut, and spends time hosting several charitable events through his Stand Tall Foundation. He has also attended a number of fundraising events for other athletes and celebrities around the country. In his spare time, Vin enjoys cooking, watching movies, and spending quiet time at home with family and friends.In his spare time, Vin enjoys bowling with a few of his fans, but he's found a much better way of throwing strikes!Vin loves his fans, but sometimes they get a little too close for comfort ? especially when they make an unscheduled visit to Vin's house.His foundation is called "The Standing Tall Foundation" but has been recently renamed to "The Standing Straight Foundation"
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CB4AllStar @ Jun 19 2007, 01:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Poor guy</div> I agree, it's the same thing with Koren Robinson in the NFL, with the depression problems.
man it's a shame really.Vin was such a great player to watch when he was with Milwaukee.I was really hoping he'd be a Celtic, but not the way he ended up being a Celtic.I hope he gets the help he needs.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BrewCityBuck @ Jun 19 2007, 03:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I agree, it's the same thing with Koren Robinson in the NFL, with the depression problems.</div>I knew someone with the same problem, so I know how hard it is..
And yet I still see the Vin Baker apologists....I know people who have had alcohol related problems. Atleast the people I have dealt with have tried to get help and try to improve their lives. They don't hang around casinos at 3 AM. This guy is a complete morron and a waste of talent and $30 MIL for the Boston Celtics. This guy had heart surgery because his drinking was so bad and he still drinks. I'm way beyond feeling bad for this guy. He clearly doesn't care about his life or trying to improve it. Enough with the poor guy comments already, it's one thing have a problem and relapse (several times which he has already by the way). It gets to a point where you have to come to the realization that this guy doesn't give a sh*t. A Casino, if you've ever been to one, is fueled by drinking. It is the LAST place a guy like Vin Baker should be at. I feel no remorce for this guy what so ever. He's had several chances to clean up his act.
No offense, but I don't see the funny in this. Its obvious he has a problem with alcoholism, and it is a very deep one as well to give up all of his talent and success to alcohol.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The`Dream @ Jun 20 2007, 10:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>No offense, but I don't see the funny in this. Its obvious he has a problem with alcoholism, and it is a very deep one as well to give up all of his talent and success to alcohol.</div>Your team didn't pay Vin Baker 30 million dollars and continue to pay him through 06-07 even when he wasn't on your team and out there getting wasted.
The ''cool'' law to break nowadays is drunk driving. I personally dont drunk drive but I know alot of people who do. Just because you got caught drinking and driving doesn't mean your an alcoholic, it just means you have poor judgement when your drunk.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (PrimeTime @ Jun 21 2007, 07:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The ''cool'' law to break nowadays is drunk driving. I personally dont drunk drive but I know alot of people who do. Just because you got caught drinking and driving doesn't mean your an alcoholic, it just means you have poor judgement when your drunk.</div>This guy is an alcoholic though. It's a proven fact.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CB4AllStar @ Jun 21 2007, 07:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>This guy is an alcoholic though. It's a proven fact.</div>The term alcoholic is an opinion. You cant say hes an alcoholic unless you know him. I like to get drunk also but im not an ''alcoholic'' nor am I a ''stoner''. I just like having a good time and opening my mind.
do you get drunk and go to your job or school?do you get drunk or stoned alone?have you been to AA or a treatment center?Baker has and that's the very definition of an alcoholic.actually is A definition of an alcoholic.there's more than just one way to classify an alcoholicoh and alcoholic is not an opinion, it's a definition and considered a disease.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticFan @ Jun 21 2007, 07:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>do you get drunk and go to your job or school?do you get drunk or stoned alone?have you been to AA or a treatment center?Baker has and that's the very definition of an alcoholic.actually is A definition of an alcoholic.there's more than just one way to classify an alcoholicoh and alcoholic is not an opinion, it's a definition and considered a disease.</div>If he went to alcoholics anonymous how would you know? doesn't that defeat the purpose of the name alcoholics anonymous?do I get drunk and go to work or school? yes I havehave I gotten drunk or smoked alone? in the morning yeshave I been to aa or treatment center? no
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (PrimeTime @ Jun 21 2007, 07:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>If he went to alcoholics anonymous how would you know? doesn't that defeat the purpose of the name alcoholics anonymous?</div>That's just the name of the place. The idea is that you can go there for help and not be ratted out to your friends, family, employers, etc. If someone finds out or you tell someone, then it isn't anonymous.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (PrimeTime @ Jun 21 2007, 08:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>If he went to alcoholics anonymous how would you know? doesn't that defeat the purpose of the name alcoholics anonymous?do I get drunk and go to work or school? yes I havehave I gotten drunk or smoked alone? in the morning yeshave I been to aa or treatment center? no</div>then you my friend are an alcoholic.
