I Wasn't Asleep at the Post - I was Drunk !

AP Wire | 09/10/2003 | Baker pours himself another and another and another:

Yes - Homer J. may have delivered us that line, but perhaps it is more apt for Celtics forward Vin Baker. I remember reading after the Baker trade was done that the Celts would pay for having sold their soul, and pay they have.

I suspect they will have another ordinary year in '04 and it may well take another year after that to pull themselves out of the bust that was the Baker deal. Unfortunate really, as despite being an avid Piston fan, I actually also like the Celts. Got swept away in the whole Bird & Boston Garden mystique thing.

"I am an alcoholic," Baker told the Globe for a story published in Thursday's editions.

You're drinking too much [is] the biggest problem, and then you're not playing well," Baker told the Globe. "So, it compounds and compounds. The days keep going. Like I learned up at [the hospital], it's always 'Poor me, poor me, pour me another drink.' That's how it was."

Baker, the Celtics and the NBA are working out a program for road games, according to the Globe's report. He will attend AA meetings when he arrives in an NBA city, have a member of the Celtics' organization to turn to, and have counselors to call.

To his credit, Baker says he hasn't touched a drop since Feb 27 when he partook in a bender with GM's Lil Nasty Smoov and S-Tac. "Shiiit, when those boys roll into town, you know you gotta get your C-walk on. Tanqueray, Hennessy, Victoria Bitter....I couldn't get enough!"

"Conditioning-wise, this probably is the best I've been in any of my seasons coming back. Now, it's about just getting on the floor and playing," Baker told the Globe. I personally am a little suspect about this. Perhaps some teams might want to gamble on this, but I would imagine Baker's head is still pretty fragile and even the smallest amount of trash talking might see him break down in tears calling for his counsellor.

It is unfortunate. Baker is/was a talent who may end up on the NBA scrapheap. Drugs & Alcohol to blame again as his names is added to the list. Len Bias, Richard Dumas (a god), Shawn Kemp, Reggie Lewis, Vin Baker.

Baker has three years and about $44 million left on his contract. That should keep him in Gin for a while yet.