Re: [Celtics' Stuff ] Players association; "sort of?" signed the agreement.-Globe

[JB <jim_metz@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Feb 14, 2004, at 6:56 AM, JB wrote:

Below, quotes from Billy Hunter, from today's Shira Springer column:

> {"At that moment, the [Celtics], in conjunction with the people who 
> were representing Vin, then sat down and came up with a new agreement. 
> The second agreement was one that was negotiated between Vin's agents 
> and the Celtics. In that instance, we said, `We understand that Vin 
> may need some form of treatment to help him. But we're not going to 
> let you [the Celtics] be in a position where you can arbitrarily 
> terminate this guy.' And I basically agreed, at that moment, to sort 
> of go along with what it was they said they wanted to do.
>
> "But as far as I was concerned, I knew there was no way Vin was going 
> to make it. I knew that he was going to be found in violation of the 
> agreement."}

	Since we haven't heard from the most important voice in this choir, 
Dr. Baccus, we don't yet know the details of Baker's "non-compliance," 
but, unless there is a quick buyout/settlement, we  surely will be 
serenaded with all of the gory details. 	There have been reports that 
these details are so embarrassing to the player and his family, that 
they will not allow the process to go forward and will accept a quick 
buyout. Let's hope so.
	For Hunter to announce publicly that he "knew" Baker was going to fail 
the conditions of his program that he (Hunter) "sort of" went along 
with, leaves me gasping. How many of you would sign an agreement, 
knowing that you were not going to honor it?
	This whole situation reeks. All one has to do is look at the numbers 
and study some film. When Baker was sober, he could play, when he was 
not, he was a liability, that could not be trusted on the floor. 
Perhaps the Players Association wants to keep some sort of fund 
available to support these types of situations, but I can't believe 
they expect the team to keep paying him.
	Can anyone; the Players Association included, expect a team to  pay 13 
million dollars a year to a player, who renders himself incapable of 
returning his end of the bargain? There are obligations, on the player 
also, when he signs a contract, to apply himself, in earnest, to help 
that team, to the best of his ability.
	Yes, alcohol addiction is a sickness, but it is self inflicted and 
thereby, the inflictor must be able to be held accountable, for the 
good of the game, as well as himself.
	Yes; "bring it on," Mr. Hunter, but understand that Vin Baker not only 
suffers from acute alcoholism, but has been linked  to bouts of deep 
depression. If Baker can't take this process you've initiated and harms 
himself, who will you blame then? The team  who put him in an addiction 
and psychological care program, or yourself, who are trying to tell the 
player that the program and the Doctor's advice don't matter; it's just 
about the money and your prestige.

	JB
Unchain My Heart!