http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/st...CASE?SITE=TXHOU&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT NEW YORK (AP) -- Vin Baker won his arbitration case against the NBA on Thursday, freeing him to sign with the team of his choice for the remainder of the regular season. In a case that was argued Monday, arbitrator Roger Kaplan invalidated an NBA memo barring the other 28 teams from signing Baker until his other grievance - against the Boston Celtics - is settled. No date has been set yet for Baker's case against the Celtics, who terminated the remaining 2 1/2 years of Baker's contract - worth $35 million - after he missed 10 games while on suspension for violating terms of his alcohol treatment program. Aaron Goodwin, Baker's agent, has said the New York Knicks, Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors have shown interest in signing his client. The NBA had argued that if Baker were to win his case against Boston, he'd have to return to the Celtics because his contract would be reinstated. The players' union argued that Baker should have a right to seek employment elsewhere while his case against the Celtics is pending. Kaplan ruled that the NBA's March 1 memo violated articles 11 and 14 of the collective bargaining agreement, which deal with free agency and collusion, union spokesman Dan Wasserman said. The NBA had no immediate comment on the ruling, spokesman Tim Frank said. Baker, a member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic team, was averaging 11.0 points and 5.7 rebounds for Boston before being suspended. The former All-Star's production has dropped significantly over the past several seasons, but there are at least three teams that believe he can help them reach the postseason in the tightly contested Eastern Conference playoff race.
He was when waived, IIRC. I'll bet the union can argue that he should be, since the NBA held him up (wrongly). I doubt it matters though, he's essentially done. Kind of ironic that NY wants him with Mutombo. How much dead weight do they want? Evan
Speaking of dead weight, Baker should go to the Nets. Think about it, in a course of a year, the Nets are paying contracts to Mutombo, Mourning, and EG. That's about 21 feet of dead weight right there.
I wonder did he take as much heat in Boston as Mo and Eddie took around here with their drug abuse? I'm sure he got much more sympathy though.
It wouldn't surprise me if no one picked him up. Partly as a display of owner/managerial solidarity to the Celtics and partly because of the limited teams which would be interested. IMHO, no WC team, none of the Big 4 EC teams (IND, DET, NJN, NO) and no EC team biding time until the Lottery (ATL, CHI, ORL, WAS). That leaves 6 maybe's - MIL, CLE, NY, MIA, PHI & TOR. Since BOS is holding on to the 8th spot, maybe one of the 6 would do it assuming Baker would show up on time and sober to spite BOS.
According to ESPN, Vin Baker just chose the NY Knicks. Hmm. A drinking problem that he's having difficulty kicking and he chooses to put himself in the most stressful situation in all of sports - playing for a NY team. I hope he does well in his recovery, but I bet he "goes out" before the playoffs even begin
Thats what I thought. He couldn't have picked a worse environment. NY fans will eat him alive if he fouls up again.
