GETTING THE POINT
Baker raising value in new role as Knicks’ anchor man
The free-agent-to-be point guard ran the Knicks offense with aplomb in Miami, directing the triangle traffic flow, defending fiercely.
It wasn’t Derrick Rose, who rested his sore left knee in Friday’s stunning win, but Ron Baker, whom Carmelo Anthony affectionately nicknamed “Ron Burgundy.’’
The undrafted rookie combo guard from Wichita State notched 10 points and six assists as the field general against the Heat and now has six more games to ensure his return next season, starting with Sunday’s Garden match against Boston on national television. But “Burgundy’’ already has won over coach Jeff Hornacek and has, according to a source, gotten Phil Jackson on board as well.
It is well-established Baker’s biggest fan is Hornacek. The Knicks coach sees a ton of similarities between himself and Baker coming out of college, not the least of which is playing a full four years. Or maybe Hornacek is just happy he has one guy who plays his butt off every game, especially on defense.
Baker, 24, will be a restricted free agent, and the Knicks can match any offer.
“Yeah, we have a pretty good friendship,’’ Baker said of Hornacek. “We’ll try to be on the same team.’’
Baker’s value would increase immeasurably if he establishes himself as a point guard. Scouts believe as a strict shooting guard, he’s not a good enough outside shooter (29 percent from behind the arc). For Jackson, the most vital attribute he proved has been competently defending quick point guards by using physicality.
“The big question we all had coming into the year was: Will he be able to guard point guards?’’ Hornacek said. “He’s proven he can. That’s a great thing for him — we can put him on a 1, we can put him on a 2, even put him on a 3. He’s versatile that way.”
Baker had 16 NBA workouts in 34 days last spring. He didn’t get drafted, perhaps because he looks like he’d fit in well at Hickory High. But the pride of Scott City, Kansas, who has a trace of Native American blood in him, plays tougher than he looks.
“Some of the things I [did] in college, I’d probably foul out in the first half,’’ Baker said.
“You’re always trying to prove yourself, regardless of the situation,’’ Baker added. “It was a similar situation coming out of high school, getting colleges used to the unknown. Getting to this point is very satisfying, but I want more, want to keep improving to see where my ceiling is.’’
Hornacek can talk all day about Baker. If some club tries to overbid on a contract, the Knicks coach would be in his corner.
Rookie point guard Chasson Randle got signed last month but couldn’t get ahead of Baker in Hornacek’s pecking order. Earlier this week, when Hornacek was asked about the rookie wall Mindaugas Kuzminskas hit, the Knicks coach turned his response into an endorsement of Baker, who didn’t hit one.
“Guys like that [combo guards]
are valuable in the league,’’ Hornacek said. “You’re not just strictly just relying on him at the 2. You can play him off the ball, you can play him on the ball. If he’s playing the point, he can get us into the offense. He’s smart about calling out the plays and he’s a tough defender. Early on, playing against point guards, he was keeping guys in front of him.’’
Hornacek said Baker has gotten better defensively because he’s “learning their tendencies.’’
“He’s a smart guy,’’ Hornacek said. “Run a certain play, he gets a feeling how he wants to guard it. Maybe having four years in college helped him.’’
Baker’s locker was next to Brandon Jennings’ before he left, and he gleaned pointers off the veteran point guard.
Baker has grown close to Court- ney Lee, and they hang together on the road.
Baker has learned from Rose just by watching.
“He has different skills than I do, but a lot of stuff I pick up from him along the way,’’ Baker said.
Baker, who has appeared in 46 NBA games and six in the DLeague, said he was “a little timid’’ at the outset but built confidence on defense when Hornacek started playing him 45 games into the season.
“He’s got the size, doesn’t get rattled because Ron’s strong enough,’’ Hornacek said. “He finishes through fouls and grabs [the player]. It’s a great skill to have.’’