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New York Knicks: Revisiting a day we’ll always remember

By Sam Friedman

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 25: Ron Baker #31 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets on January 25, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 25: Ron Baker #31 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets on January 25, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The NBA is ready for another off-season of player moves and trades. However, one player will leave a lasting impact for years to come

A lot of moves are on the horizon inn the next few weeks throughout the NBA. Teams will be speculating who the best player is, picks will be traded, and established stars willfind new homes.

Looking at you, DeAndre Jordan.

Most important for this discussion is the New York Knicks. They have a decently high pick again, in what everyone thinks is a good draft class. I don’t think this crop of rookies are that special

The point is: The Knicks’ roster is bound for a shake up, and they’re going to lose some players due to an over populated backcourt. At this point, most of you know where I’m going here. I hope you’re sitting down: Ron Baker will likely be cut before the start of the season.

It’s just not fair. This whole life thing really comes crashing down hard sometimes. Baker is someone who I wanted to see succeed in New York. With such an insanely crowded backcourt, however, Baker likely will get the short end of the stick.

As I sit here writing this, I’m very sad to think about Baker not being on the team. He was a Hornacek guy, through and through.

Fizdale brought Frank Ntilikina, Emmanuel Mudiay and Damyean Dotson to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The cool kids reigned supreme, and the mop-headed, fan favorite Baker was figuratively left on read.

Baker’s Knickstape

As an early tribute to Baker, here’s his highlight tape from his rookie season

Baker is one of the most beloved Knicks of recent memory, and I have no idea why. When he got eviscerated by Anthony Davis earlier this season, one could only feel bad for former Shocker.

Anthony Davis dunk summarized Baker’s young career beautifully. He came from the weak side, like a bat out of hell, to try to block Anthony Davis, of all people. In what world would this be a good idea?

Not a single player on the New York Knicks went to help on that play. They understood that the longest, most athletic player on the court, who had a wide open lane, was going to dunk the ball.

Anyway, Baker unfortunately spent last season injured. He initially hurt his left shoulder very early in the season. Then literally broke his face. Baker followed that up by injuring his right shoulder so much that he needed season ending surgery.

Baker’s injury gave Damyean Dotson a chance, who in the fourth-to-last game of the season had a 30-point, 11-rebound effort. That pretty much solidified his role on the Knicks.

Baker is enshrined in the weird-basketball-players-that-everyone-loves Hall of Fame, along with Boban Marjanovic and Brian Scalabrine. This is elite company. Boban has his own reddit page of him holding things 

Must Read: The 25 greatest players in Knicks history

Ron Baker is a player whom the New York Knicks fans will remember fondly—whether he’s on the roster or not.

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