http://seattlep-i.nwsource.com/basketball/32786_sonx26.shtml By RONALD TILLERY SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER Trading Vin Baker is an enormous task. But, evidently, not as enormous as Baker himself. News that the Sonics forward is giving new meaning to the term overweight makes turning a deal involving the 6-foot-11 former all-star all but impossible. An NBA player agent, familiar with the Sonics' efforts to move their big man, tells the Post-Intelligencer that Baker is battling the bulge, and teams do not want to touch his heavy body and prohibitive salary. "It's awful, just awful," he said. "He's got a problem, and it's the worst it's ever been. The biggest problem, though, is for the team to have to have him on their cap four or five more years. He's a franchise killer." Baker has five years and roughly $60 million left on a seven-year, $87 million deal he signed in 1999. Although the Sonics would rather trade him, deals are hard to come by because of the contract and his poor performances the past two seasons. Consider: Baker weighed 244 pounds during the 1997-98 season -- his first in Seattle and last productive NBA season. Now, Baker is said to tip the scales at 270 even though his playing weight is expected to be 255. Baker's agent, Aaron Goodwin, defended his client's condition. "Yeah, it's true, he's somewhere between 260 and 270. But it's also true that he's been working out and lifting weights," Goodwin said. "It's also true that it's just July. He just played in Alonzo Mourning's charity game, and he'll be down to his playing weight when the season starts." Baker, along with Sonics teammate Gary Payton, participated in Mourning's July 15 all-star game in Miami. Baker is hosting a charity game in Connecticut next month. His condition first drew attention a few weeks ago when Baker visited Sonics majority owner Howard Schultz in Seattle. Schultz and Baker met again last week in Boston, where the Sonics have a team in a summer league. Considering there have been no takers for Baker, the Sonics apparently are trying to repair their relationship with him and ease his anxieties about returning to Seattle. The team reportedly has even sent strength and conditioning coach Dwight Daub back East to set up a workout regimen and weight-loss program for Baker. Goodwin said Baker would return to Seattle next week to continue workouts. PATTERSON, CAVS SPEAK: Forward Ruben Patterson met recently with Cleveland general manager Jim Paxson and head coach John Lucas in Salt Lake City, where the Cavaliers are participating in the Rocky Mountain Revue summer league. Patterson, a restricted free agent, was quoted in the Cleveland Plain Dealer as saying: "The conversation went really well. Coach Lucas is the type of guy I'd like to play for. It would be good to play at home, by bringing the energy and excitement that we need at the Gund Arena. Other teams are interested, but Cleveland's my No. 1 team. We'll just take one step at a time and see what happens." The Sonics can match offers for Patterson up to $4.5 million. Patterson likely would be moved in a sign-and-trade deal. The 6-5 swingman is expected to depart Seattle after his modified plea in May to third-degree attempted rape. Schultz has said he would like to fill the Sonics' roster with high-character players. ------------------------------------------ Quick question, why do nba players get so fat ? Oliver Miller, Shawn Kemp , Charles Barkley, Stanley Roberts, etc. ------------------ mgh 1924 - 2001 http://www.al-gore-2004.org/
They get fat because they can afford more food. ------------------ Protrolls.com! Keep the ???? alive! The ZRBucks!
Just give Cato a few more years for his metabolism to slow a little, and he'll start to have a weight problem. Lazy is as lazy does. That's what Momma always said. ------------------ DREAMer's Rocket Page
Still less than Charles. ------------------ The time for logic and reason has come and gone. It's homer time now. Believe.
The funny thing is Charles could still outplay him. ------------------ "Instruments are like women: After a while, you want to make love to another." - Nicolas Godin of the musical duo Air
True story. I saw him on an NBA show discussing how he was trying to lose weight and get in shape. Meanwhile, he was showing them how good a cook he is. And right in front of him, in the deep fryer, you see about thirty chickens he's deep frying for a party. I remember thinking what is he doing. ------------------ humble, but hungry. [This message has been edited by PhiSlammaJamma (edited July 27, 2001).]
