Vin Baker Says He’s an Alcoholic

Boston Celtic forward Vin Baker says he is a recovering alcoholic who used to binge in hotel rooms and at home after playing poorly.

In an interview in Thursday’s Boston Globe, Baker said Celtic Coach Jim O’Brien smelled alcohol on him in practice and confronted him about it in December and January. The team suspended him Feb. 27 and he didn’t play again.

Baker, who will turn 32 in November, said he has not had a drink for six months. He sought treatment at a program at the team’s insistence. He said he is down to 241 pounds, his playing weight his first two seasons.

“The Celtics, the organization, cared for me as a person,” Baker told the Globe. “The suspension gave me ... a new lease on life, a new chance at my career.”

The club said it stood behind Baker.

“We’re going to do the best we can to provide the structure for Vin to be successful,” team spokesman Bill Bonsiewicz said Thursday.

Before training camp, Baker and the Celtics will set up a support network in all NBA cities. Baker plans to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and undergo testing this season.

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The Utah Jazz signed restricted free-agent guard Jason Terry to an offer sheet. The Atlanta Hawks have 15 days to match the multiyear offer, terms of which were not disclosed.

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Golf

Jonathan Byrd, in his second year on the PGA Tour, and 1999 champion J.L. Lewis shot six-under 65s and shared the first-round lead at the John Deere Classic at Silvis, Ill.

Vijay Singh, third on the PGA Tour’s money list this year, closed with an eagle and birdie to finish at 66, tied with Chris Riley, who finished his round with a three-putt bogey. Eight players were two off the lead, while six others had 68s at the 7,193-yard Tournament Players Club at Deere Run.

Kemp Richardson rallied from two holes down with three to play and won the USGA Senior Amateur in a one-hole playoff over Frank Abbott at Bristol, Va.

Richardson, 57, of Laguna Niguel, became the 13th player to win the title a second time.

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Hockey

Right wing Pavel Bure’s damaged right knee failed a team physical and the New York Rangers declared him medically unable to play.

Bure will not accompany the team to Burlington, Vt., for training camp, which begins today. The team said there is no timetable for when he can play again.

The Edmonton Oilers re-signed forwards Georges Laraque and Ethan Moreau.... The Boston Bruins and Sergei Samsonov agreed to a one-year contract, ending his holdout.... Miroslav Satan is unhappy with the progress of his contract negotiations and told the Buffalo Sabres he will play in his native Slovakia until they reach a deal.... The Colorado Avalanche will retire goaltender Patrick Roy’s No. 33 in a pre-game ceremony on Oct. 28.

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Miscellany

Top-seeded Rainer Schuettler and second-seeded Sjeng Schalken advanced to the quarterfinals of the Brasil Open tennis tournament at Costa do Sauipe, Brazil. Schuettler beat Paul Goldstein, 6-0, 6-1; Schalken beat Gregory Carraz, 7-5, 6-4.

Memphis Grizzlies’ forward Pau Gasol scored 14 straight points in the fourth quarter, leading Spain past Israel, 78-64, in the European Basketball Championship quarterfinals at Stockholm. Spain will play Italy in the semifinals. Italy beat Greece, 62-59. France faces Lithuania in the other semifinal.