Former SuperSonic working at Starbucks?
Jul 30, 2015, 11:35 AM | Updated: 12:24 pm
(AP file photo)
He couldn’t make a free-throw shot, but former SuperSonic Vin Baker is convinced an espresso shot is a different story.
Baker, 43, is reportedly working at a Starbucks in Rhode Island — working for the guy who sold the SuperSonics to Clay Bennett, no less.
To his credit, Baker was named to four NBA All-Star teams and made almost $100 million over the course of his career. But he fell onto hard times and struggled with alcoholism.
He told the Providence Journal:
“When you make choices and decisions and think that it will never end, and then you get into spending and addiction and more spending, it’s a definite formula for losing…. I would insist that you surround yourself with the person you trust the absolute most, someone who can tell you, ‘You’re wrong, don’t buy that, don’t go there, that person’s no good.’ I would also say be able to monitor every single dime that comes out of your accounts as if you’re a Starbucks barista.”
Not only is the father of four kids keeping a better eye on his money, he serves as a minister and is training to be a Starbucks manager.
“I hope Vin Baker bounces back, becomes a manager at Starbucks, and makes an honest living,” said KIRO Radio’s Ron Upshaw. “He can’t get the $100 million back, but it’s better than being an alcoholic.”
KIRO Radio co-host Don O’Neill said Baker could have run the other way and left those four kids, like his father did.
“He blew through all that money, but now he’s willing to stand up, take a job, be a barista, and do whatever he has to do … I think that’s good on Vin Baker because it’s hard to face your demons.”
“Now you just made me miss the Sonics,” said everyone (and Ron).
Let’s just hope whoever placed this sign on top of a Starbucks doesn’t hold a grudge against Baker, for his sake.