knicks1248 wrote:Isn't Early from the same school?

CrushAlot wrote:I wonder if it is a partially guaranteed deal so he can get some money and play in westchester or if they see him as a guy that will make the roster.

Thought I heard that it was a 3 or 4 year on Hahn show...probably with a couple of team options. Could have misheard, but it would have to be at least as good as Plumlee's...probably better.

I've been a big supporter of Baker- figure he gets some DL time, but think he will get minutes on the Knicks at some point.

But curious to see if Baker can stick. It's hard to tell if his skills will translate or if he'll just be totally overwhelmed. In theory, I like the move though.

nixluva wrote:

crzymdups wrote:I hope they bring Chasson Randle to camp, too.

But curious to see if Baker can stick. It's hard to tell if his skills will translate or if he'll just be totally overwhelmed. In theory, I like the move though.

Knicks want Chasson, but it's up to him and his Agent to make it happen.

Well, the Knicks don't technically have a roster spot at the moment... I wonder if that'll hurt their chances. Last I heard there were as many as three teams interested in Randle.

nixluva wrote:

Finestrg wrote:Nice. I like this kid, just not as a guaranteed 15-man at this point, definitely not as the 3rd PG behind Rose and Jennings. I think like Crush said--this might be a way of getting him more money then have him play at Westchester. Anything happens to Lee, Holiday or Vujacic, then Baker gets the call-up. I actually would've been OK with Baker occupying Sasha's roster spot fully guaranteed if they chose to go that route. To me that's where he fits--as a SG. Just can't tell me he's the 3rd PG now and we're done looking--not behind two sizable risks in Rose and Jennings. I hope that's not the case. We still need more there. The 3rd PG, whoever that may be, WILL wind up playing at some point this year. You can feel it.

I think Baker would be adequate as a 3rd PG/SG. He did have some early issues adjusting but I think like any guard making a transition he needs and will get plenty of time to work on his PG skills. He's a tweener. I think he's capable of filling in for short durations.

Whether he makes the team or is sent to Westchester I like his game and hope he can develop into a useful reserve.

I watched a lot of tape on him this morning after commenting here, including the two summer league clips he went for 20+ -- he does have a decent handle and looks to be a capable passer. I like him, just don't think after spending a lot of money retooling the way we did and bringing in Rose and Jennings, two guys with a lot of questions--not only injury, that we don't have a legit fill-in lined up to plug in (ask yourself--what if Rose continues to play subpar? Better yet--what if Jennings stinks up the joint? If this guy comes out playing selfish, taking awful shots and firing blanks shooting sub 40% like he always has, believe me, I could see the Garden crowd souring on him immediately. And once that happens, it'll be hard to overcome...Now do I hope that happens? Of course not. I'm a die hard fan of this team, man. I see the upside with both guys and I'm excited..Just trying to keep perspective like I always do. I mean you gotta think to yourself, "what if this doesn't go right"? I'm approaching both Rose and Jennings with extreme caution. I think you have to -- approaching either guy with too much optimism could lead to big disappointment. I think a 3rd legit PG is a must. Doesn't even have to be a vet--it could be a fellow youngster--just one with a little more natural ability to run the show. I see a pretty good prospect with Baker, but if we encounter problems with Rose and/or Jennings, I don't see Baker as a guy we're all like, "it's OK, we have Baker ready to go to drive the bus." Definitely don't see that or feel that, even with some of the success he had in college and in SL handling the ball. Maybe he becomes that eventually but I can't tell at this point--we're gonna need to see much more. It's not even fair to this kid if that's what they're thinking and then he does eventually get thrust into duty like that. I like him--I'd just like to see him get worked in as a SG. Again, a lot of work went into this retooling and I like a lot of what was done -- just cover yourself here at this spot, Phil. You know what I mean? All I'm saying.. Glad Baker's in the mix, though. He seems like he could be a good role player eventually (as a Vujacic replacement/someone who earns PT over Sasha or Holiday, etc.). Similarities to Jeff Hornacek as a player are pretty uncanny.

crzymdups wrote:

nixluva wrote:

crzymdups wrote:I hope they bring Chasson Randle to camp, too.

But curious to see if Baker can stick. It's hard to tell if his skills will translate or if he'll just be totally overwhelmed. In theory, I like the move though.

Knicks want Chasson, but it's up to him and his Agent to make it happen.

Well, the Knicks don't technically have a roster spot at the moment... I wonder if that'll hurt their chances. Last I heard there were as many as three teams interested in Randle.

Don't we have the 15th spot open still but that is probably for a backup pg (vet)? We might also just cut Plumlee as we signed him to also open up some slots or some crap like that. (Read that in a news article at the time of the signing. Forget the wording but it was important to sign him to open other things up for us.)

And I am damn near sure after the draft that we signed Baker to a partially guaranteed deal. Is this deal just longer?