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Friday, January 26, 2001
Baker OK, rejoins Sonics



Baker
Baker

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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Sonics hand reeling Clippers sixth straight loss




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