Vin wants it all, apparently

[Snoopy the Celtics Beagle <snoopy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The memo sent by the NBA prohibiting any teams from signing Vin should have 
been anticipated.  Vin, his agent, and Billy Hunter have all maintained 
that Vin was, in fact, fit to play before the 10th game of his 
suspension.  Supposedly, a doctor appointed locally by Dr. Baccus to 
immediately oversee Vin also said Vin was ready to play, only to be 
overruled by Baccus.  Based on this, Vin's contract with the Celtics is 
still in force, so there's a chance that the C's have to take him back.

This would be a disaster for Vin, and every other team interested in his 
services.

As it stands now, Vin was waived last month, making him eligible for 
playoff rosters--the sole reason anyone wants him right now.  If the 
Celtics have to take him back, the CAN waive him again, but it would be 
past the deadline to make a playoff roster, therefore nobody will need him 
until next year (unless, say, Toronto needs SOMEONE to throw on the court 
until their regular guys are able to move without medical help again).

Someone--possibly Vin's agent, staring the loss of his percentage of over 
$30 million in the face--made the argument that Vin was fit to play for 
Boston, and pointed to the other teams.  Someone else--possibly in the 
League office, sympathizing with C's ownership (right, sure) realized 
disaster that would ensue if Vin wins arbitration and reinstatement to the 
C's after having signed a contract with another team.

It's annoying, but proper--settle the matter, either by having the hearing, 
soon--or dropping the grievance and walking away from any potential further 
Celtics income.  Part of me thinks this was engineered by someone on the 
C's in an attempt to "buy the pot", gambling that Vin will sooner drop the 
grievance and take whatever he can get this season, instead of going for 
whatever part of the $30 million he can get in arbitration.

However, if Vin doesn't--or, for whatever reason, can't--fold, the C's 
might have to take him back.  Then, things will get REALLY nasty.

There's also the matte of this side agreement itself--does it in fact 
override whatever contract originally signed between Vin and the Celtics, 
or is it not worth the paper it's printed on?  Was Vin a willing signatory, 
or coerced by pressure from his employer?

And they say there's no drama in basketball....

Snoopy the Celtics Beagle
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