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New York Knicks: 5 players for Ron Baker to study

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 6: Ron Baker #31 of the New York Knicks handles the ball during a game against the Washington Wizards on April 6, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 6: Ron Baker #31 of the New York Knicks handles the ball during a game against the Washington Wizards on April 6, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA – FEBRUARY 23: Larry Brown head coach of the Detroit Pistons (formerly of the Philadelphia 76ers from ’97-’02) puts his arm around Eric Snow #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers February 23, 2004 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – FEBRUARY 23: Larry Brown head coach of the Detroit Pistons (formerly of the Philadelphia 76ers from ’97-’02) puts his arm around Eric Snow #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers February 23, 2004 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. Eric Snow

The New York Knicks are committing to a youth movement, but that’s a broad statement that doesn’t quite address what the vision entails. The more specific details of the vision include the front office’s desire to see a strong commitment to defense.

One of the best comparisons for Ron Baker’s physical profile and defensive potential just so happens to be a former division rival: Eric Snow.

Snow is most commonly remembered as the guard who worked alongside Allen Iverson. While Iverson was the ball hawk and scorer, it was Snow who stepped up as the high-quality on-ball defender and facilitator.

Between 1998 and 2004, Snow recorded averages of 6.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game—quality numbers that fail to display just how strong he was on both ends of the floor.

As Baker looks to find his way in the NBA, Snow should be one of the players who he most closely observes. Snow was able to defend multiple positions at a high level, and he showed the unselfishness to pass to a ball-dominant scorer.

There are better players on this list, but Snow is an excellent example of a player who blurred positional lines and worked his way towards a strong NBA career.

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