Re: Baker's relapse - WAIT A MINUTE!!

[Kim <kimmalo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Fair point, although I wouldn't read too much into the carefully worded press release not specifying actually drinking. To begin with, as was pointed out last season, drinking on its own isn't an offense you can suspend someone for, so they have to report the exact offense that justifies the suspension/fine being reported. And providing more detail than necessary would be seen as opening themselves up to suits or problems with the players association.

That being said, and to somewhat back your point, people who have been reporting that they saw this coming because he was looking just like last season would seem to have lost perspective on just how bad he looked last season. He's looked slow and awkward and been far too passive of late, but you don't feel that every pass/rebound is a turnover waiting to happen and he doesn't spend half his PT literally on the floor. 
Kim

-----Original Message-----
From: Douglas342@xxxxxxx
Sent: Jan 6, 2004 8:38 PM
To: celtics@xxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Baker's relapse - WAIT A MINUTE!!

     WHOA, hold on!  The press release said that Baker was suspended "after 
the team was told he didn't comply with his treatment program."  The article I 
saw also said that the team is barred from giving out details. 
     He may be drinking.  Very Possible.  BUT he also might have missed a 
test, or skipped a meeting, or not done some other program-related work.
    I just think you're being hasty to assume that drinking is the only 
possible violation of what sounds like a pretty tightly controlled program.  I want 
to give him the benefit of the doubt, so will assume his violation is 
something other than drinking until I hear otherwise.  
 - Doug

In a message dated 1/6/2004 5:19:35 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
souellette@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
Not so surprising to hear about Baker's relapse given the way his play has
dropped off. I know that he's tested frequently ... I wonder if the drinking
was a result or the cause of his general crappiness the last few weeks?