New York Knicks: 5 realistic goals for Ron Baker in 2017-18
5. Define A Primary Offensive Strength
It’s no longer a crippling problem for a guard to be stuck between positions. A number of players have spent their careers in that situation, and the NBA’s gravitation towards a positionless state is further working in that favor.
True as that may be, Ron Baker’s best bet for securing a long-term place in the NBA is developing specific strengths and defining his strongest role.
If Baker is going to play point guard, then he’ll need to prove capable of creating for others at an at least respectable level. If he’s going to play shooting guard, then he’ll need to prove capable of working off-ball and cashing in when the ball comes his way.
Regardless of which position Baker ends up playing, he must prove that he can defend both guard spots at a high level.
The appealing aspect of Baker’s game is that he can define his true position and still spend time at the other guard spot. The more likely outcome is that he’ll excel as a shooting guard who’s capable of occasionally running point, a la Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek during his playing days.
Being a hybrid will work for Baker if he plans to be the Knicks’ sixth man, but he’ll have an easier time finding playing time if he establishes his primary strength on offense.