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Vin Baker Working to Become Manager of Starbucks Coffee Shop

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by peleincubus, Jul 28, 2015.

  1. peleincubus

    peleincubus Member

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    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2533420-former-nba-all-star-vin-baker-working-to-become-manager-of-starbucks-coffee-shop?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national

    The Providence Journal's Kevin McNamara (h/t ProBasketballTalk's Kurt Helin) published a heartening feature Monday telling the tale of Vin Baker's life after basketball.

    A four-time NBA All-Star and Olympic gold-medal winner (2000), Baker ended his professional basketball career with the Los Angeles Clippers after the 2005-06 season.

    Since then, he's battled alcoholism and financial missteps, gotten sober and become a pastor. His latest move, as McNamara reports, is setting a course toward becoming the full-time manager of a Starbucks in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.

    "I love North Kingstown," Baker told McNamara. "It reminds me of my hometown, so it's comfortable. I like this community. Starbucks draws a lot of repeat customers, and so many know me now."

    Baker is currently working behind the counter as a barista and learning the ropes of the business at an operational level. It's not the most traditional gig for a guy who earned $100 million playing basketball at the highest level, but he says it's part of his overall plan for personal redemption:

    When you learn lessons in life, no matter what level you're at financially, the important part to realize is it could happen. I was an alcoholic, I lost a fortune. I had great talent and lost it. For the people on the outside looking in, they're like 'Wow.' For me, I'm 43 and I have four kids. I have to pick up the pieces. I'm a father. I'm a minister in my father's church. I have to take the story and show that you can bounce back. If I use my notoriety in the right way, most people will appreciate this guy is just trying to bounce back in his life.

    Baker credits his opportunity at Starbucks to company CEO Howard Schultz, who owned the Seattle SuperSonics during his four-season stretch on the team from 1997-2002.

    As for basketball, nowadays Baker is still trying to catch on with an NBA team in a coaching capacity. Until he gets that call, however, he's minding the roast and slowly taking over the caffeine cartel.

    Get that money, Vin, and remember: He who controls the coffee controls the world.




    Went from making star bucks and being a bucks star to literally making Starbucks.
     
    1 person likes this.
  2. Nook

    Nook Member

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    Good for him. He is still young and seemed well grounded.
     
  3. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

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    Ty Lawson is an alcoholic and he should follow this and stop until it is too late
     
  4. Asian Sensation

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    Buck story bro.
     
  5. rm365

    rm365 Contributing Member

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    Wow Vin Baker is only 43?
     
  6. Haymitch

    Haymitch Custom Title
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    Good to hear he's doing much better now.
     
  7. dragonwill

    dragonwill Member

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    How can people lost 100 million of money? Thats crazy man.
     
  8. Mr. Brightside

    Mr. Brightside Contributing Member

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    Not that crazy. A lot of regular people at age 42, don't have much in savings either. At least Vin Baker was the very best at something for some amount of time.
     
  9. hakeemthagreat

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    Great to hear. Tremendous player but when he was here he was trash. Remember thinking how bad he looked in a Rockets uni
     
  10. heypartner

    heypartner Contributing Member

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    Isn't he more suited for managing a bakery.
     
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  11. Newlin

    Newlin Member

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    I wish him well. Life isn't always easy, even for guys who have made millions of dollars.
     
  12. FranchiseBlade

    FranchiseBlade Contributing Member
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    Glad that he's doing better. I always felt bad for the guy. He seemed sad even when he was among the best in the NBA.

    I wish him luck.
     
  13. underrated015

    underrated015 Member

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    Still remember the Kemp - Baker trade. Supersonic teams were very good then. Hated playing them in Seattle. Those were excellent three point shooting teams.
     
  14. B-Bob

    B-Bob "94-year-old self-described dreamer"

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    Don't you mean until it's too latte?
     
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  15. dragonwill

    dragonwill Member

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    NBA life style is expensive.
     
  16. peleincubus

    peleincubus Member

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    :eek::eek::eek::eek:

    You did not go there?!?!?
     
  17. Jontro

    Jontro Member

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    Not too shabby


    [​IMG]
     
  18. Juxtaposed Jolt

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    No, it's pretty crazy. But that's life as an athlete / ultra rich person, I suppose. You can't really compare what an athlete earns, to what a regular joe earns. When you're comparing an annual salary of $40,000 to one of $4,000,000 or so, the former tends to save up some because they simply don't earn enough to splurge. the latter might be more tempted by peers, a better life, etc, and doesn't stop until it's too late.

    I forget what Vin Baker's life was about, but the article mentions alcoholism.
     
  19. OmegaSupreme

    OmegaSupreme Contributing Member

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    geez, man. that would be one helluva story to hear.
     
  20. marky :)

    marky :) Member

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    Glad he is doing better with his life but I really have no sympathy when an athlete becomes broke after making that much money.
     

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