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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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BOSTON, MA – MAY 17: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics reacts in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game One of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 17, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 17: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics reacts in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game One of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 17, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

4. Marcus Smart

Marcus Smart hasn’t yet found his place in the NBA on the offensive end of the floor. As it pertains to defense, however, there are few guards in the Association who have commanded quite as much respect as the Boston Celtics hybrid.

Smart may be more athletic than Ron Baker, but the potential exists for the two to play similar roles for their respective teams.

Smart and Baker have nearly identical measurements in height, weight, and length, and could play similar roles for their respective teams. While Smart’s athleticism is clearly beneficial, his defensive prowess is founded far more in his fundamentals and attention to detail.

Whether it’s knowing exactly when to poke the ball free from a slashing scorer, or knowing how to get low enough to not be overpowered by a bigger guard, Smart does it all.

Baker has the potential to defend at a similar level, if not quite as well as Smart is able to. The offensive concerns may still exist, but a consistent level of defensive execution would make it easy to keep him on the floor.

Smart is still a work in progress himself, but Baker would benefit from studying what it is that’s helped the Celtics standout become one of Brad Stevens’ most trusted players.

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