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Friday, January 26, 2001
Baker OK, rejoins Sonics
Associated Press
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SEATTLE -- Vin Baker says a high-caffeine energy drink that
several SuperSonics players have been taking regularly was probably
the reason he had to leave a game because of dizziness.
Baker rejoined the Sonics on Thursday in San Francisco after
spending a night in a Los Angeles hospital, where he was taken
after experiencing an irregular pulse, the team said.
The 6-foot-11 forward became dizzy Wednesday night in Seattle's
114-110 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Baker
scored 17 of his 18 points in the second quarter, left with 5:21 to
play in the fourth quarter and was hospitalized after the game.
"I got lightheaded for a while. My heart rate went up. My
palpitations went up," Baker said Thursday, "but everything is
all right now."
Baker, who no history of heart problems, was examined by
cardiologists at the hospital and again after rejoining the team
and was given permission to return to action. He was expected to
play as a reserve Friday night against the Golden State Warriors in
Oakland, Calif.
Baker said he discussed the new high-caffeine drink with both
cardiologists.
"They're pretty sure that's what it is," Baker said. "I'm not
good with caffeine. It makes my heart race a little. I can't even
drink much soda."
The drink was not identified in reports published Friday by The
Seattle Times and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
Coach Nate McMillan said he was concerned about the eating
habits of several players during the team's heavy travel schedule
and believed the same drink might have been a factor in the
migraine headaches that have caused guard Emanual Davis to miss the
last three games.
Baker said it was the third time he had tried the drink.
"It's definitely my last," he said. "I wanted to pump out my
stomach."
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