DAWN OF RON
Undrafted Baker has turned himself into Knicks’ regular
The odds of making an NBA roster were slim. Getting consistent playing time as a rookie were even lower.
So when Ron Baker — the undrafted former Wichita State star who was so under-the-radar out of high school he initially was a walk-on — says he feels “fortunate” to be where he is, it isn’t merely talk.
“I come from a town of 200 people, blue-collar [place],” he said, referring to Utica, Kan. “I always dreamed to be here. In high school I lost that dream. I was 5-foot-8, 5-foot-9.”
Baker has been one of the few bright spots in another dismal Knicks season, emerging as a potential piece for the future, a ballmoving guard who plays hard on the defensive end and has gotten better the more he has played.
The 6-foot-3 has rookie appeared in 51 games, making 12 starts, and has averaged 4.1 points, 2.0 assists and 1.1 turnovers per game while shooting 37 percent from the field. He described this as a “great year” for him personally, though the losing has been tough to take — 27 more defeats than he suffered in four years at Wichita State.
“He has a huge responsibility, being a [rookie] point guard and running the team, and I think he’s handled that well,” veteran guard Courtney Lee said. “He keeps his composure out there when things aren’t going well. He’s a competitor, and I can respect that.”
Since Derrick Rose’s knee injury ended his season April 2, Baker has been given more opportunities and his numbers have risen, earning the minutes over fellow young point guard Chasson Randle, who was re-signed in late February when Brandon Jen- nings was cut. Baker nearly produced a triple-double in Sunday’s loss to the Raptors, notching 11 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. He keyed a win over the Bulls on April 4, scoring nine points and adding six assists.
“My confidence is growing each game as a player,” the 24year-old Baker said. “Confidence is something that I’ve tried to find throughout my career. I’m just trying to do things in a simple way, make simple plays, make sure everybody is on the same page.”
Big names haven’t intimidated Baker. He has held his own against the likes of Rajon Rando, Kyle Lowry and John Wall. In the game against the Raptors, when Toronto turned up the pressure and put the game away, Baker didn’t blink, committing just two turnovers in 38 minutes.
“He’s made tremendous strides,” coach Jeff Hornacek said. “He gets us into the plays, gets us into the offense. ... Ron’s going to continue to learn as he goes.”
Baker’s future, however, is uncertain. The Knicks will retool this offseason, and could potentially add two new point guards, one in the draft and one on the free-agent market. So while he feels fortunate, Baker isn’t fooling himself, either. He’ll only stick if he continues to progress. It’s his only option — unless he wants to wake up from this dream.
“Every day,” Baker said, “I work hard to try to be a better player.”