LOL

Clever and intelligent responses from Baker, and he knows how to be diplomatic.

If he had played on a regular basis the entire season I think he would join Willy as an All-Rookie selection- probably 2nd Team.

I probably think more of him than some, but I think he will be a perfect 15-20MPG rotation player & spot starter in the NBA.

yellowboy90 wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:Said that among other things he is working on his shooting.

Clever and intelligent responses from Baker, and he knows how to be diplomatic.

If he had played on a regular basis the entire season I think he would join Willy as an All-Rookie selection- probably 2nd Team.

I probably think more of him than some, but I think he will be a perfect 15-20MPG rotation player & spot starter in the NBA.

Well I will say this, If Brandon Jennings could continue to get playing time while shooting under 40% then it would have been best to give that time to Baker.

Triangle politics...and D.

They clearly saw Baker doing things as a defender when he did play, and I expect they saw his ability to distribute during practices.

Was surprised by his ability to find open men.

Jackson's decision to focus on the Triangle sealed the deal...Jennings was sent packing and Baker got more play.

I think Baker will be a better shooter next year-needs to be in that 38-40% range from 3, and look for some midrange J's, which I believe he can hit.

nyknickzingis wrote:If we want to be any good on D next year guys like Ron Baker and Lance Thomas are musts in a 25 minute a night role. I'm not even kidding Lance is our best forward/wing defender by far and Ron the best guard defender. They give off an infectious tougher defensive mentality.

I'm even open to starting them next to Willy, KP and an attacking guard like Monk, who IMO if Isaac, Fox, Fultz, Jackson, Ball are all off the board may be the BPA.

Hernangomez
Porzingis
Thomas
Monk
Baker

Trade Melo for a draft pick, cap space and bench depth.
Let Rose walk.

You develop KP, Willy, Baker, Monk. You draft top 5-7 again next year unless KP becomes a superstar next year. Win-win.

No offense but that is a luka Doncic type line up and I fear Monk becoming a Jordan Clarkson type guard. Unless Baker falls into some radioactive waste I don't see him being a quality starter.

I also fear that that type of line up will lead to more bad habits from kp and if he becomes the lead guy on offense at the 4 you will see his defense continue to slip as he tries to save energy.

WaltLongmire wrote:

yellowboy90 wrote:

nyknickzingis wrote:If we want to be any good on D next year guys like Ron Baker and Lance Thomas are musts in a 25 minute a night role. I'm not even kidding Lance is our best forward/wing defender by far and Ron the best guard defender. They give off an infectious tougher defensive mentality.

I'm even open to starting them next to Willy, KP and an attacking guard like Monk, who IMO if Isaac, Fox, Fultz, Jackson, Ball are all off the board may be the BPA.

Hernangomez
Porzingis
Thomas
Monk
Baker

Trade Melo for a draft pick, cap space and bench depth.
Let Rose walk.

You develop KP, Willy, Baker, Monk. You draft top 5-7 again next year unless KP becomes a superstar next year. Win-win.

No offense but that is a luka Doncic type line up and I fear Monk becoming a Jordan Clarkson type guard. Unless Baker falls into some radioactive waste I don't see him being a quality starter.

I also fear that that type of line up will lead to more bad habits from kp and if he becomes the lead guy on offense at the 4 you will see his defense continue to slip as he tries to save energy.

I actually believe that if we do play a Triangle like offense, KP will be better off.

Has to get stronger, of course, but for me his future on offense is from 5-17 feet, with 3/4 3s/game.

Don't want him over-dribbling, unless he's on the perimeter guarded by a 5.

Quick decisions with the ball...fewer crossovers.

And I want so see an Alcinder sky-hook.

I see him at the 5 getting 4-6 easy opportunities in the PnR that's going to increase his efficiency and hopefully improve his passing too. If I was him I would watch how the Blazers used Plumlee/Nurkic and how Green attacks the 4 on 3 situations when the big defender over helps and the guard passes it back to Green.