Ron Baker's Role This Year

[LandStander]

Wiggins?

I agree, especially from some of the news on here that he has bulked up. That means he's putting in time and effort and should really payoff for him on the court!

[wusphlash]

I wouldn't measure Ron Baker strictly by statistics. He has a half a freshman season under his belt with both inconsistent and brilliant stretches. But I measure Ron Baker by all the subtle things he does. I measure Ron Baker by how much smoother the offense ran last year with him on the floor. I measure Ron Baker by the absolute confidence Gregg Marshall exhibits in him. I measure Ron Baker by team success. Can he win games by himself? Probably not. Does the best five we can put on the floor include Ron Baker? Absolutely. Does he have that rare ability to make those around him better? Yes.

[RoyalShock]

From media day today:

Shane Ewing @ShaneEwing
Gregg Marshall: "when the NBA folks come in to watch Cleanthony, they're always asking about Ron (Baker) He's another one that has a shot"

[Rocky Mountain Shock]

If Ron makes it to the NBA I can't imagine a cooler story than that. "Just a humble" small town Kansas kid, very lightly recruited, walk on his first year, hometown takes up a collection to help his parents pay travel expenses to his NCAA games--to making millions in the NBA. I hope he works hard and makes it happen.

[The Cat]

Not a Kstate fan but am a Packers fan, but his story is almost identical to Jordy Nelson. Small Kansas town, walk on freshman year and then on to the pros.

[wufan]

Championships are built with players like Ron Baker (and Jordy Nelson).

[MadaboutWu]

NBA television analyst Jeff Van Gundy, former coach of the Knicks and Rockets, watched WSU’s practice last week before working the exhibition game at Intrust Bank Arena. He told Marshall that sophomore guard Ron Baker possesses an NBA shooting form and accuracy. Marshall hears that a lot from NBA scouts.

“They all ask about Ron when they leave,” Marshall said. “He’s got a big-time stroke.”

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/2013/10/28/308...#storylink=cpy

I don't remember if it was in this thread or another, but some people thought it absurd to think Baker might be looked at for the NBA as a junior. Not saying that is going to happen by any means but I think it in the realm of possibility.

[shockmonster]

NBA television analyst Jeff Van Gundy, former coach of the Knicks and Rockets, watched WSU’s practice last week before working the exhibition game at Intrust Bank Arena. He told Marshall that sophomore guard Ron Baker possesses an NBA shooting form and accuracy. Marshall hears that a lot from NBA scouts.

“They all ask about Ron when they leave,” Marshall said. “He’s got a big-time stroke.”

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/2013/10/28/308...#storylink=cpy

I don't remember if it was in this thread or another, but some people thought it absurd to think Baker might be looked at for the NBA as a junior. Not saying that is going to happen by any means but I think it in the realm of possibility.

In my opinion, There Is small chance for RB to be a first rd pick even after graduates. He does have a better chance go be a 2nd rd pick. He won't leave as a junior. He still will be a great Shocker with a great stroke. Lets not go overboard.

[MadaboutWu]

I agree this is the likeliest outcome and it would be a fantastic one for Baker (or for that matter for anyone on our roster other than Cle whose goal has to be first round at this point). I just felt nettled at the time when people acted like to suggest a long-shot possibility of Baker leaving early was certifiable nut-job crazy. The fact that several scouts (according to Marshall every one who visits) are asking about the Sophomore after seeing him practice is significant.

[wufan]

I agree this is the likeliest outcome and it would be a fantastic one for Baker (or for that matter for anyone on our roster other than Cle whose goal has to be first round at this point). I just felt nettled at the time when people acted like to suggest a long-shot possibility of Baker leaving early was certifiable nut-job crazy. The fact that several scouts (according to Marshall every one who visits) are asking about the Sophomore after seeing him practice is significant.

I still think it's a HUGE leap to go from "Ron Baker has NBA skills" to "Ron Baker will leave early for the NBA." When the scouts come to watch RON play and then say he's a first round pick, then the talk about coming out early can begin. Right now he's just like Toure, Garrett, Gal, etc. were when they were at WSU. On the internet draft boards but far from being drafted.

[Kung Wu]

Right now he's just like Toure, Garrett, Gal, etc. were when they were at WSU. On the internet draft boards but far from being drafted.

I actually somewhat agree with you on your first point, but Baker is light years ahead of where Toure, Stutz and Gal were coming into their sophomore seasons. He was a standout during a final four run as a freshman and being watched by every NBA recruiter in the country (unless you think some NBA recruiter in this country isn't interested in watching a final four game).

Other than possibly Stutz due to his height, I can't think there was much interest, if any, in those three players prior to their sophomore year. We just weren't high enough on the radar as a team at the time.

[proshox]

Toure looked like he could become a NBA player early in his sophomore season. He never improved his shot enough to make him a draft caliber guy....

[wu_shizzle]

Toure looked like he could become a NBA player early in his sophomore season. He never improved his shot enough to make him a draft caliber guy....

When Toure started putting on muscle, he seemed to strong arm a lot of his 3-ball shots. It's like the NCAA line was too close.

It does not surprise me that he is an adequate shooter from the NBA line.