Baker re-signed to help bolster bench, defense
ORLANDO, Fla. — Ron Baker was one Knick sorry to see president Phil Jackson fired. Two weeks ago, at the Tarrytown facility, Jackson helped the 6-foot-4 combo guard prepare for throwing out the first pitch of a recent Kansas City Royals game.
Baker, who agreed to terms on a new two-year deal for likely the caproom exception at the stroke of midnight, is from Scott City, Kan.
“Obviously, I really enjoyed Phil Jackson, he taught me a lot,’’ Baker said. “The past year he wasn’t just a mentor but a really good friend. A couple of weeks ago he was playing catch in the training facility for my pitch. That’s how the business goes sometimes.”
Jackson gave Baker undue praise after the season as setting an example on how defense should be played. Though Jackson is gone, Baker has an equally big supporter in coach Jeff Hornacek, whom he once called his doppleganger. Last June, Baker went undrafted after four years at Wichita State, lightly regarded like his head coach.
“Our stories are very similar,’’ Baker said. “His career and my career hopefully can line up some day. Hopefully I can play as long as he did. Someone I can look up to and trust on the court. Everything he says I relate to well. I like playing under him.’’
Baker tweeted his signing at midnight Friday and immediately heard from Joakim Noah and Courtney Lee — two veterans whom he said took him under their wing. No word from Carmelo Anthony.
Baker, who struggled in the early going of summer league last year, won’t play in the league this year as his contract isn’t official until July 8.
In the opener, the summer-league team pushed the ball more than the standard triangle fare of late last season.
“I see the coaches putting little wrinkles into it,’’ Baker said. “It’s looking pretty good. It’s going to be smoother. I think the flow of the offense is a lot better with the new wrinkles so we get more ball movement and make the defense work a little bit. Part of our problem last year, the ball got sticky and we took poor shots.’’