Baker Gets Fresh Start by Signing With Knicks

Vin Baker knows he’s running out of chances to prove he can stay sober and contribute in the NBA. The New York Knicks are willing to give him that opportunity.

The former All-Star signed Friday with the Knicks for the rest of the season, a day after winning his arbitration case against the NBA. He was added to the active roster immediately and scored two points in 14 minutes in New York’s 99-94 two-overtime loss at Philadelphia.

“I’m taking this opportunity as my last chance to come out and not only play basketball, but as a person, I don’t want to make the same mistakes,” the 32-year-old Baker said. “I’m going to try my hardest from day to day not to make the same mistakes that I’ve made in the past.”

The 6-foot-11 forward was the eighth overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1993 draft and a four-time All-Star, but his career took a troubling turn during his battle with alcoholism that led to his release by Boston.

Baker was shooting more than 50% from the field for the Celtics before he was suspended -- and subsequently had his contract terminated -- for violating terms of his alcohol treatment program.

Baker said he didn’t believe counselors when they told him relapse would be part of recovery, and he ignored his aftercare program. Baker put basketball ahead of his alcohol counseling, which led to a relapse that he said “snuck up on me.”

The Knicks also activated guard Moochie Norris, and put guard Frank Williams and Cezary Trybanski on the injured list.

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Orlando demoted general manager John Gabriel and replaced him with chief operating officer John Weisbrod.

The announcement came three days after the Magic revealed that oft-injured forward Grant Hill will miss the rest of the season. Gabriel orchestrated the trade for Hill in 2000 and signed the five-time All-Star to a seven-year, $93-million contract.

Hill has played only 47 games for Orlando, making three failed comebacks from a stress fracture in his left foot. He has had four operations on the ankle.

Hill’s contract has financially strapped the Magic for years, hurting the team’s ability to surround All-Star Tracy McGrady with impact players. Gabriel has been largely blamed for it.

Gabriel will serve as a team advisor and regional scout.

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Forward Corie Blount signed with Toronto after he was released by the Chicago Bulls on March 2.

The Raptors also waived forward Michael Bradley and placed guard Milt Palacio on the injured list because of a swollen left knee.

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Derrick Coleman and Marc Jackson were activated by Philadelphia for Friday night’s game against New York. The 76ers also placed Glen Robinson and Amal McCaskill on the injured list.