SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES

Former SuperSonic working at Starbucks?

Jul 30, 2015, 11:35 AM | Updated: 12:24 pm

Former Seattle SuperSonic Vin Baker, 43, is reportedly working at a Starbucks in Rhode Island. (AP ...

Former Seattle SuperSonic Vin Baker, 43, is reportedly working at a Starbucks in Rhode Island. (AP file photo)

(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 &#8212 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.

Seattle News Archives & Features

Authorities issued a Level 3, Go Now, evacuation advisory for a new wildfire called the Goat Fire i...

Tom Brock

EVACUATE NOW: Goat Fire spikes to Level 3 in Upper Cle Elum Valley

Authorities are ordering evacuations for a new fire, called the Goat Fire, in the Cle Elum Valley of the Cascade Mountains.

4 days ago

hit-and-run mukilteo father of 7...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Suspect in Mukilteo hit-and-run that killed father of 7 turns himself in

The man accused of hitting and killing a motorcyclist before leaving the scene has turned himself in, according to Washington State Patrol (WSP).

11 days ago

The Three Queens Fire near Snoqualmie Pass and Kachess Lake increased to more than 800 acres this w...

Tom Brock

Racing the Flames: Fast-growing wildfire forces evacuations near Snoqualmie Pass & Kachess Lake

A lightning-caused wildfire six miles west of Snoqualmie Pass is growing and threatening cabins at the north end of Kachess Lake.

19 days ago

The tiny eyes of about 20 cats are focused on a Tacoma police officer as he snaps a shot of them on...

Tom Brock

How 30+ cats survived on an abandoned Tacoma boat

Officers say they responded after receiving reports from people who spotted a lot of cats on a sailboat anchored just off Owen Beach, on the northern tip of Point Defiance Park

19 days ago

Associated Press

Man charged with arson in Spokane, Washington, told police he planned wildfire for weeks

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A Spokane County detective who interviewed the man accused of starting one of the city’s wildfires said the man confessed, described his planning process and explained how he created a device to ignite the blaze. Detective Michael Drapeau said in a court filing Wednesday that Aaron Farinacci told him that he […]

21 days ago

SWAT standoff Kent (1)...

KIRO Newsradio staff

VIDEO: SWAT standoff in Kent after assault suspect barricades in home

There is a SWAT standoff happening at a home in Kent.

22 days ago

Former SuperSonic working at Starbucks?