A telling comment on Baker from the Globe

[Snoopy the Celtics Beagle <snoopy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

This was at the very bottom of an article in today's Globe online:

"Neil Jacobs, who serves as Boston team counsel, said, "We agree with the 
league's determination that it would be inappropriate for another NBA team 
to sign Baker while his grievance is pending. He's challenging the validity 
of the termination. As long as he's challenging the validity of the 
termination, it would be inappropriate for another team to sign him." "

Take a good look at the end of that paragraph, because that's where the C's 
have placed a $30 million bet.  It is, as I suspected it would be, a 
message to Vin--challenge the termination, and you won't play for ANYBODY 
this season.  All or nothing.  If he drops the grievance, he can sign with 
anyone who wants him.

But there may be a way out for Vin, presuming the rules allow it--

Drop the grievance now, and sign with another team for the remainder of the 
season (and the playoffs, depending on the team).  Then re-file the 
grievance after the season is over, citing the interest from other teams 
and his performance on whichever team got him as the basis to prove he was 
fit to play.  That way he negates the recent NBA memo, and gets to play 
now--while forcing the C's to restrict their off season personnel moves 
with the contract of Damocles hanging over them.

That's presuming two things--first that once can drop and later revive a 
particular grievance; and second that Vin--or his agent, or Billy 
Hunter--is interested in playing that kind of hardball with the Celtics AND 
the League.

It's not distressing enough the way everyone's playing basketball that they 
have to play high stakes poker at the same time??

Bleah!

Snoopy the Celtics Beagle
Please visit the <http://www.celticsbeagle.net/>Celtics Beagle Website