Knixkik wrote:I want to start by saying that i really liked Baker last year and felt he had the chance to become a solid backup guard. But the way he is being handled is odd. He might be the only player in the league that gets a cover-up every time he's inactive. First the ankle injury, now the shoulder thing. We obviously know Hornacek really likes him as a person, and the front office has committed to him by saying his name alongside the other youngsters, as well as the contract. So is this just their way of keeping his reputation protected? Would have to think that if they really felt he could help the team, he would be playing. Dotson and Jack, both guys originally expected to be inactive candidates at the beginning of the year, are playing too well, so this is the way they are solving this problem. The Ron Baker Excuse.

Ummmmmm, what?

He's played in the last two Westchester games. The Knicks are not pretending he's hurt.

Knickoftime wrote:

Knixkik wrote:I want to start by saying that i really liked Baker last year and felt he had the chance to become a solid backup guard. But the way he is being handled is odd. He might be the only player in the league that gets a cover-up every time he's inactive. First the ankle injury, now the shoulder thing. We obviously know Hornacek really likes him as a person, and the front office has committed to him by saying his name alongside the other youngsters, as well as the contract. So is this just their way of keeping his reputation protected? Would have to think that if they really felt he could help the team, he would be playing. Dotson and Jack, both guys originally expected to be inactive candidates at the beginning of the year, are playing too well, so this is the way they are solving this problem. The Ron Baker Excuse.

Ummmmmm, what?

He's played in the last two Westchester games. The Knicks are not pretending he's hurt.

Just seems like his injuries come more out of convenience of roster management. Sort of like "hey Ron, you aren't dressing tonight, so tell us what hurts the most and we will say you are inactive for this reason."

reub wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

Knickoftime wrote:

Knixkik wrote:I want to start by saying that i really liked Baker last year and felt he had the chance to become a solid backup guard. But the way he is being handled is odd. He might be the only player in the league that gets a cover-up every time he's inactive. First the ankle injury, now the shoulder thing. We obviously know Hornacek really likes him as a person, and the front office has committed to him by saying his name alongside the other youngsters, as well as the contract. So is this just their way of keeping his reputation protected? Would have to think that if they really felt he could help the team, he would be playing. Dotson and Jack, both guys originally expected to be inactive candidates at the beginning of the year, are playing too well, so this is the way they are solving this problem. The Ron Baker Excuse.

Ummmmmm, what?

He's played in the last two Westchester games. The Knicks are not pretending he's hurt.

Just seems like his injuries come more out of convenience of roster management. Sort of like "hey Ron, you aren't dressing tonight, so tell us what hurts the most and we will say you are inactive for this reason."

Not true. He has an injury. Fake news.

And what about the ankle soreness? Would he have been inactive if he was a needed rotation player? Maybe i'm way off base here, just seems too convenient.

Kemet wrote:

knicks1248 wrote:I DONT why you guys feel like everybody on the team should be playing at one time. The avg NBA rotation is 8 to 10 players, unless it's garbage minutes.

It's like you guys want a 12 man rotation, which is never a good thing. We saw that first hand when fisher tried it, then rambis. This is the first time in a very long time, that we have a solid rotation, and I love what JH is doing.

I could understand if some guys were stinking up the joint and we were losing, but we are 7-2, and the current rotation seems to be working

First off .. Baker performance last season belong in the D.League, there were nothing admiral bout Bakers performance last season other than he passed the ball more than D.Rose.

Jeff Hornacek is the wrong coach to have for developing our young core players n veteran players ..
Our Knicks are winning games because Frank Nitty relentless defensive skills are contagious to his teammates in the 4th quarter of the past 11 games. We had a 54 win season in 2012-13 when HOF Jason Kidd played every minute of the 4th quarter throughout the season.
The Knicks are supposed to be running a 10 Man rotation every game to develop a 2 unit lineup that co-exist, especially in all these Home-games.
Willy n Dotson should have receive playing-time in the 2nd quarter of all our 14 games.
Our goal should be to develop 9 to 12 Keeper players this season, plus having a decent season that increase the trade value of all our young core players.

Baker was one of the few players we had who actually had a positive impact on how the team played last year. That was his ROOKIE season. Thing is he’s still a young prospect that we’ve invested in.
No need to worry about kids in the program less than a quarter into his 2nd yr.

Jeff is doing just fine and learning more about his craft. There’s no reason to be kicking dirt on Jeff or what the team has been doing so far.

doomed wrote:Does every player's narrative have to center on the money they make? I hate that sports discussion has devolved into the financials. It's ruined the escapism or innocence of sports in my view. I get that salary caps play a big factor but the rampant fan obsession with player salaries sucks in my view. Ron baker is just an end of the bench, gritty role playing guard but since he makes 1-2-3 million more than the money geeks think he should make he's a constant source of negative discussion. This happens all over the sports landscape. I think it sucks.

HofstraBBall wrote:Its the NBA, his time will come and he has to be ready. Seems like the games in Westchester will help with that.
The only arguement one can make is that he did not deserve the contract but its a mute point now and it was not much to begin with.

He needs a lot of work, how can you be a combo guard if you can't shoot or dribble..

GustavBahler wrote:Ankle injuries are no joke. Its hard to cut, to show a quick first step, to jump, backpeddle. If Baker wasnt shooting enough before a shoulder injury, not realistic to expect it then.

I said the same thing about Lance Thomas for several seasons. Read the same posts about Lance Thomas. Render your verdict after Baker is close to 100 percent. and has some PT under his belt.

Ive had serious injuries to both ankle and shoulder. Mobility is severely restricted. Surprised the OP acknowledges the injuries, but piles on anyway.

Leave Baker Alone!!

Trust me, he's out of the rotation indefinitely, just like Noah. There's really no need for him right now