RE: new Baker article

["John Lyell" <jlyell@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

We should terminate this immediately if it gets us out from under it and
more cap space

John

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-celtics@xxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-celtics@xxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of
Snoopy the Celtics Beagle
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2004 4:31 PM
To: celtics@xxxxxxxx; Celticsstuffgroup@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: new Baker article


Baker suspension to hit milestone

By Associated Press, 2/11/2004 16:41

BOSTON (AP) Vin Baker is expected to miss his 10th consecutive game
Thursday night, a mark that could allow the Boston Celtics to terminate a
contract that was to pay him $35 million more over the next 2= years.

Baker missed two months and the playoffs last season after he checked into
a rehab center to treat alcoholism. He agreed at the time to follow an
aftercare program this season and submit to frequent testing.

But Baker failed to comply with the terms of the agreement at least three
times, and was suspended indefinitely on Jan. 23. The team has not
disclosed the nature of the violations, which could include a positive test
or refusal to take a test.

Only the doctor overseeing Baker's care, approved by the team and player,
can determine if he's ready to return. But the agreement said that if Baker
wasn't back within 10 games, the Celtics have the right to terminate his
contract.

''We continue to wish him the best, but other than that we're not
commenting,'' Celtics spokesman Bill Bonsiewicz said Wednesday from
Chicago, where the Celtics were preparing to play the Bulls.

Baker, who said he began binge drinking during the 1998-99 lockout, was
suspended Feb. 27, 2003, and didn't play again last season. But after
treatment he returned in better shape and determined to make it up to his
teammates.

He scored in double figures in 21 of his first 35 games, but then his
production dropped off again. He totaled just 12 points in four games
before being suspended for three games, then played in just two of the next
five games before being suspended again.

The 6-foot-11 Baker was the eighth overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks in
the 1993 draft. He averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds over his last two
seasons in Milwaukee before he was traded to Seattle for the 1997-98 season.

His first season in Seattle showed only slight dropoff, and he was good
enough to be picked for the 2000 U.S. Olympic team. But by the time the
Sydney games came around, his play had deteriorated to the point where he
was rarely used.

Snoopy the Celtics Beagle
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