Chandler wrote:fishmike wrote:Chandler wrote:fishmike wrote:With Baker/Enes/Mario we have like the most spastic white guys in the league
haha like when baker did his impersonation of Sanchez's buttfumble but fortunately got bailed out by the ref
Im not a Baker fan. He plays incredibly hard. So much so he's done some really stupid things like getting hurt trying to block Anthony Davis. Last night he played almost 30 minutes. A few things stand out. He's not a PG. His handle is substandard by NBA PG standards, and by a lot. His shooting remains suspect, but damn... the coach stuck with him and a few things happened. He energizes his teammates. He get under the skin of other teams. If you have ever played any sport with contact guys like Ron Baker are insufferable (unless they are on your squad, then you resent them but acknowledge their usefullness
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It worked. Baker played a ton of minutes and he was a big contributor. It really also shows Baker's value on the club. Does anyone realize how important it is for a coach like Fizdal to say to his guys he expects them to play as hard as Ron Baker?
Will be nice to see if/how they sustain the effort vs. NJ
I actually like Baker. A little disappointed that his shooting hasn't come around since it looked like he could shoot off-ball in college. And I think his handle is fine though he'll never razzle dazzle a guy out of his shoes.
I think where Baker contributes most is in establishing the tone that to win you need to play hard for the full 48 minutes. The great Larry Bird teams had that mantra. In fact i think it was the only response Robert Parrish ever told reporters after a loss.
As a team (with Melo being a lead culprit) we have failed at that. Take plays off. DOn't play D. DOn't set professional screens. DOn't box out. DOn't follow shots (that you know you missed) etc.
If we change that characteristic alone around I'll be a much happier fan; that and attacking the rim to shoot close or draw fouls.
Surprised that someone who has shown he's clearly not afraid of contact, is so reluctant to drive to the rim. Baker and Frank seem too worried about getting their shot blocked, an ugly take to the rim.
Only way they are going to get past that hesitation is to do what Knox is doing. Not worrying how ugly it gets, attack. Only way to get through it. Every time Knox drives, its like an "at bat". Knox is learning, every time he goes at a defender. Baker and Frank cant learn if they dont consistently do the same.
Fizdale's system seems to be playing to Baker's strenghts though. Keeping the ball moving, pushing the tempo.
10/19/2018 10:53 AM