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New York Knicks: 5 realistic goals for Ron Baker in 2017-18

By Maxwell Ogden

MIAMI, FL - MARCH 31: Ron Baker #31 of the New York Knicks handles the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on March 31, 2017 at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - MARCH 31: Ron Baker #31 of the New York Knicks handles the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on March 31, 2017 at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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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) /

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.

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