100 Millions in the NBA to working at a coffee shop in North Kinston RI
Vin Baker participated in four All-Star teams and won 100 million dollars playing professional basketball in Milwaukee, Seattle, Boston, New York, Houston and the Clippers. Unfortunately that’s only in the past, now that everything is gone.
Alcoholism and bad decisions, a harmful combination for many professional athletes, was the cause for the tragic future of Baker, an NBA forward who stood out fairly in the early 90s and was part of the US team in Sydney 2000 , where he won the gold medal.
In 2013, he told the New York Dailly News, that when he was traded from Seattle to Boston, he was living a double life with Alcohol abuse. For one thing, the brand new TD Garden court saw how Baker was able to get 21 doubles after the first 35 games of the 2003-2004 season, but the trouble with coach Jim O’Brien was big, had three suspensions and was traded to the Knicks, then the Rockets and his career ended in Los Angeles, but not his misery.
His 6’11” feet tallness is not so easy to ignore. Some have to recognize him, but definitely not what you’d think finding a guy who won a fortune and enjoyed brief success in the NBA working at starbucks.
The former star of the University of Harftord must work to take care of his family; He has four children, and is no longer linked to the NBA or basketball, he must find a way to put food on the table.
While he waits settlement of a lawsuit against his former financial advisor, part of the equation into bankruptcy, he’s hoping to become the manager of the coffee shop where he works. That is the main goal of Vin, as was once was getting rebounds and scoring points in NBA games.
INDIANAPOLIS – APRIL 6: Vin Baker #42 of the New York Knicks drives around Jermaine O’Neal #7 of the Indiana Pacers during the game at Conseco Fieldhouse on April 6, 2004 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 107-86. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
“When you make decisions, you think the money is never going to end; but you get into various expenses and addictions and then more spending, is a definite formula to lose everything, North Kingstown reminds me of my hometown, so it’s comfortable. I like this community. Starbucks attracts a lot of customers and many know me now, “said Baker, 43 now.
“For me, this could have ended worse like going to jail or worse dead . This is usually how these stories end . For me, to get the strength to work up here and be excited about managing a local Starbucks and providing for my family. I feel that’s more heroic than being almost 7 feet tall or sinking a shot in an NBA game. I wake up energized in the morning and, above all, not be dependent on alcohol, and not be ashamed or embarrassed to know that I have a family to take care of. The show must go on ”
Baker is now trying to turn his life as the manager of a Starbucks in North Kingstown (Rhode Island)
Despite the roller coasters that life took on Baker were unfortunate, and as he himself recounts, this had a very positive outcome.
Baker may not return to being involved again with the NBA, basketball or even commercial record, but at least found the way to get away from addictions and provide the best to his family.