Vin Baker: A sad story

[JSD]

This poor guy could just never get his life together.


"Under the category of former pro athletes facing foreclosure: Vin Baker late of the Celtics and the NBA. TD Banknorth foreclosed on his restaurant several months back. Now he's losing his house err mansion." (http://iamfacingforeclosure.com/viewnews/2008-06-23_MLIExclusiveVinBakerForeclosureonFormerNBAStarsMansion.html)

[SShoreFan 2.0]

Incredibly sad.

I truly like Vinny and like many people understand what it's like when someone close is in a life or death fight with addiction.

[ACF]

Yeah, just because you're a drunk
it doesn't make you a bad person.
My father fought a hard battle with
booze, in particular beer, for so many
years and he came out on top.
I don't blame him in the least.
He had a tough life. I lost him in April
due to cancer.
I'll always remember the good stuff.

My heart truly goes out to Vin.

[Truth Hurts]

While I do feel bad for Vin regarding his addiction.....I just have a hard time feeling bad for the guy for squandering tens of millions of dollars. Booze just isn't that expensive.

Frankly, it p---es me off when idiots like Latrell Sprewell flush millions of millions down the drain like idiots when i work hard every day for comparative peanuts.

[SShoreFan 2.0]

While I do feel bad for Vin regarding his addiction.....I just have a hard time feeling bad for the guy for squandering tens of millions of dollars. Booze just isn't that expensive.

Frankly, it ****es me off when idiots like Latrell Sprewell flush millions of millions down the drain like idiots when i work hard every day for comparative peanuts.

Before you jump on him for "squandering" make sure you know the facts.  Hanger ons can drain millions off these kids --- it happens all the time.  Just today I heard of one who lost millions due to his accountant mismanaging his money.  Just because someone can post up, doesn't mean they are great with money, compound that with a battle of addiction and it's easy to see how it could happen.

[ACF]

Booze addiction = bad decisions.
No matter how rich you are.

[libermaniac]

Ah, he'll be fine.  The Celtics are still paying him aren't they?   (Just kidding).

[bbc3341]

I entered recovery for alcoholism right around the time the Vin Baker story broke when he was still with the celtics. I actually drew inspiration from some of his quotes and I think that it's important to remember that recovery is a process, not an event. He is not a lost cause and there is still hope. Sometime we need to hit rock bottom in order for the program to truly work... my prayers are with him and his family...

[ACF]

bbc3341, I wish you all the best.
It's so easy for people to point
their fingers, saying all sorts of BS.
I know this from my dad.
I had a hard time listening to that
stuff, I just wanted to beat their *****.

I hope you have someone to guide you
along the way. Like I said, all the best.
It takes guts to admit something like this.
I totally respect that. TP.

[Birdbrain]

Sorry I'll save my sympathy for Children born with Aids or Cancer.  I say that having family members fall prey to the some of the same issues.

Feeling sad for a millionaire that can't put the bottle down is pretty low on my list of things to be concerned about. 

[bbc3341]

Thanks Amager Celtic Fan - I appreciate it. Once you admit it the first time, it gets easier. Plus, as bbc3341, it's not too hard, right?

I've been very fortunate to have had great people around me to lead the way, a very good group and sponsor!

It's a misunderstood situation and your dad's lucky to have had your support. I'd bet it meant more than you can imagine to him...

[bbc3341]

Sorry I'll save my sympathy for Children born with Aids or Cancer.  I say that having family members fall prey to the some of the same issues.

Feeling sad for a millionaire that can't put the bottle down is pretty low on my list of things to be concerned about. 

Birdbrain (awesome name btw) I totally get where you're coming from. I have empathy with Baker because I've had a similar situation, but I know what a hard thing it is to be related to someone with these kinds of problems. I just hope Baker is able to find some kind of success in recovery.

[SShoreFan 2.0]

Sorry I'll save my sympathy for Children born with Aids or Cancer.  I say that having family members fall prey to the some of the same issues.

Feeling sad for a millionaire that can't put the bottle down is pretty low on my list of things to be concerned about. 

I have room in my heart for all of the above........and then some.

[Roy Hobbs]

Vin had all the opportunity in the world to check himself into rehab and get clean.  He had the means that very few addicted people will ever have, and he decided not to take advantage of it.  Instead, he surrounded himself with enablers, and wasted his talent and his life.  While I have some sympathy for those struggling with addiction, I don't feel too sorry for those who are afforded legitimate opportunities to get clean, and blatantly refuse to do so.

I'm glad Vin has hit rock bottom, frankly.  Maybe that's the wakeup call he finally needed.

By the way, career earnings?  $89,954,673.  That's right:  $90 million.

[bbc3341]

Vin had all the opportunity in the world to check himself into rehab and get clean.  He had the means that very few addicted people will ever have, and he decided not to take advantage of it.  Instead, he surrounded himself with enablers, and wasted his talent and his life.

I'm glad Vin has hit rock bottom, frankly.  Maybe that's the wakeup call he finally needed.

By the way, career earnings?  $89,954,673.  That's right:  $90 million.

If anything, his wealth likely hindered his recovery... I don't know the full story behind his rehab efforts, but you're right, he's had chances to get help and maybe now he finally will.