The Phenomenon of Ron Baker

Knicks fans can’t get enough of Ron Baker

You’ve probably never heard of the name Ron Baker. The name is not a household name like Lebron James or Stephen Curry, and it definitely doesn’t carry the same statistics as the two names mentioned above. You probably don’t even know what Ron Baker looks like, and there are some good reasons why you wouldn’t:

  • Baker was an undrafted prospect out of Wichita State that The New York Knicks picked up in August of 2016
  • He spent the next few months jumping back and forth between assignments to the D-League and regular team assignments.
  • In the 16-17 season, he played 52 games and averaged 16.5 minutes.

You would think that the more time spent on the court would garner more attention and praise for a player, and that’s usually the case. But Baker is one of the few players that seems to still gain a fanbase even though his court time is limited, and what’s even more impressive is that he’s cultivated such a following in a city like New York. Let’s face it, New York fans aren’t exactly easy on the athletes that play for their teams. But maybe there’s a reason for this.

Knicks fans have a lot of experience with players and personalities: JR Smith messaging fans through twitter asking if they want the “pipe”, Michael Beasley wearing wristwatches on his ankle, Carmelo Anthony and his no-trade clause, Rasheed Wallace, Metta World Peace, James Dolan, Derek Fisher, Phil Jackson, I could go on and on.

Whether it’s the fact that his nickname is “Ron Burgundy” his dreamy golden locks, or the fact that he’s the author of a children’s book, Baker’s unique and positive personality is a breath of fresh air that’s enjoyable to Knicks fans. He’s the exact opposite of New York sports, and I truly believe that is why he is so beloved. He just wants to play basketball, there’s no big personality or big contract to accompany him.

This is not meant to knock Baker whatsoever, through the few times that he’s on the court I think that he has shown a ton of potential, great basketball IQ, and shot selection. And with the Knicks being low on guards, I think this year is a perfect year for Baker to break out, and I know that I’ll be rooting for him.

  • TAGS
  • New York Knicks
  • Ron Baker

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