From NBA all-Star to Starbucks Barista: the rebirth Journey of Wingbeck

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According to Wikipedia, Van Baker's career was "ruined by drug abuse," but he didn't want people to misinterpret it. "Too many people want to see my jokes." he said. "Like,'He squandered it all, or his house was confiscated.' However, I can finally reverse the plot now."

Marijuana Night

Vin Baker has never been honest enough. On January 5, 1996, he had his first highlight night. Before the game, Baker and several Bucks teammates came to Glenn Robinson's house and he saw Big Dog smoking marijuana, which he did too…and he started worrying about the game. "I veered a little on the way." he said. "I started getting anxious,'Am I going to get too excited, or faint?'"

No, Beck, who was half-drunk, did exceptionally well. "It was the best game of my career, scoring 41 points." he said. "It felt weird,'Wow, I can get 40+, that's amazing.' But I didn't realize the cost." A year later, Baker was traded to the Sonics by the Bucks, averaging less than 20 points per game, still surprising because he drank a lot during pregame games.

It wasn't that people didn't notice. Teammates often smelled alcohol in training, but the team executives still valued him. In 1999, the Sonics signed Baker to a seven-year,$86 million contract.

Fade out of NBA

Three years later, the Sonics traded Baker to the Celtics. During a medical examination, the team doctor found signs of liver damage. "In that case, I lied and said,'No, I didn't drink that much.'" Baker recalled. Baker recalled that in 2003, two league officials discovered problems during random drug tests, and he ended up paying them $50,000 each. Baker did not behave well; he often got drunk. Later, he would use a little Listerine mouthwash to make it smell better. Celtics can't do anything about him. So did the Knicks, Rockets and Speedboats over the next two years.

Beck left the NBA in 2006 and abused drugs: alprazolam and chlordiazepoxide. He walked around the house all day in his slippers and sweatshirt with a glass of brandy in his hand. He became scrawny and vomited a lot of blood. After that, Vin Baker put aside his fantasies, tried to clear his head, and started thinking about another goal. "I need to be reborn to support my family and children." he said. That's a good idea, but who's going to give him a job? Baker thought of former Sonics owner Howard Schultz--CEO of Starbucks.

Caramel macchiato coffee

"It took me a month to decide to call Howard." Baker said. "I thought, what should I say? I pulled over, prayed, and dialed the number. Vinny!' I'll never forget how excited he was. He said,'You sound great!' We met and he agreed to let me work at Starbucks, making caramel macchiato coffee."

Vin Baker attended management training classes and put on overalls. "The green apron was a little short, but I liked it anyway. Wouldn't it be amazing to wear it to work?" he said. Vin Baker gets up at 3:45 a.m. every morning to open his shop. He didn't like the taste of coffee at first, but gradually became involved in the character. "The job isn't hard, and I don't mind." Baker said. "Those days were difficult, but it was the best way out. I don't remember how much money I got the first time, but it was definitely a few zeros less than the NBA salary."

The Journey of Rebirth

Vin Baker could laugh now. He was completely reborn. "I may not be on the cover of Forbes magazine anytime soon, but I'm OK now, right?" Baker said. "When I became Starbucks manager, I was ecstatic. I get up before dawn and take responsibility, you know, it's important."

Customers will recognize Baker, of course-not many baristas grow to be 2m 11 tall. He loved the job and eventually understood it was more than just a job. "I give people hope." he said. "I had a good career and made a lot of money, but it's all over. Now people say,'You inspire me,' and I enjoy that feeling. People will go home and search the Internet and say,'Wow, no way?'"

But those who want to see Vin Baker at Starbucks may be disappointed-he works as a stag commentator and runs a rehab center in Milwaukee and New Haven. Baker was delighted that his son was attending Boston University this year.

"Ah, man, I'm crying. This is the most important moment of my life." he said. "Stay awake. I'm excited about it every day."

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