Ron Baker, NBA Prospect

[im4wsu]

More important than where Baker would be drafted this year (first or second) is whether or not he has a realistic shot at improving his draft stock with another year.

It's possible that a fringe first round pick is just the highest Baker will ever be valued as by the NBA Draft, whether he leaves this year or next. Ultimately, he is a combo guard that doesn't fit into a neat category, he's already going to be older than most people being drafted, and he's unlikely to get major experience as a point guard in his senior season with CF theoretically being added to the backup-PG duties.

I would think any extra time with Marshall will make anyone a better basketball player, so in that sense he should definitely be a better pro prospect with another year with him ... but I don't know much about the NBA draft, and it's entirely possible Baker just has a ceiling on his draft performance based on what they value.

If he can't improve his draft rating, though, I would think coming back for his senior year wouldn't accomplish much. Ultimately, as a high level athlete, get paid before you get hurt, IMO.

Don't disagree with anything you said. I would add one other potential factor, is there something left to accomplish at WSU? National final game? National Championship? While I don't think the following matters to him, MVC player of the year? 1st team All-American?

[wusphlash]

At the start of the year I was one who believed this would be Ron's last year. As of now I believe it more likely that he returns. While I think he is in line for POY, I don't believe his play has moved his draft position upward. One thing mentioned in the article is his 3 point percentage. Considering the number of wide open shots he gets, I would expect it to be better.

Since I'm now in the "stay" camp, I hope he returns as reigning POY to play with last year's POY and they play with next year's POY who is neither Fred nor Ron.

[LandStander]

Yikes!

https://www.nmnathletics.com/sellnew...RIBER_CONTENT=

When I clicked on the link the auction was over. What did it end up going for?

[WstateU]

When I clicked on the link the auction was over. What did it end up going for?

I'm not sure of the final sale price, however it was up to $2200 the last time I looked.

[Play Angry]

I'm not sure of the final sale price, however it was up to $2200 the last time I looked.

Yep, Ron's went for $2200 and FVV's went for ~$800. I think all of the others crept up to $250 or more....lots of activity in that last half hour.

Nice idea by the school and good for the fans.

[Anthroshock]

Ronnie Baker on US Basketball Writer's Oscar Robertson mid season list.

http://www.sportswriters.net/usbwa/news/2015/oscar150123.html

[kstarheel]

Baker won't hurt himself one bit by coming back. He's was born to have a Sr season with Fred... twill be glorious. :-)

[WuDrWu]

You couldn't buy my tickets for that night for $1000......$10,000.

I have a price...but it's high.

[AZ Shocker]

Yada-yada-yada. Draft him here...draft him there. Hey....he walked-on at Wichita St. and look what he's become. How cool would it be for him to not get drafted and simply walk-on an NBA team to his liking as a free agent!!! Hell...he'd most likely wind up with a better contract that way. Lol

[Mr. Obvious]

Based on his comments, I think it's unlikely that Givony has done much video scouting and actual watching when it comes to Baker.

I've seen several evaluations on Ron very similar. Ron's strength is catch and shoot. Using ball handling to create shots not his gig. That's ok. He'll find a place in the show.

[jocoshock]

Yada-yada-yada. Draft him here...draft him there. Hey....he walked-on at Wichita St. and look what he's become. How cool would it be for him to not get drafted and simply walk-on an NBA team to his liking as a free agent!!! Hell...he'd most likely wind up with a better contract that way. Lol

Not cool for his bank account. Better than not getting playing time at all though...

[Rlh04d]

Baker won't hurt himself one bit by coming back. He's was born to have a Sr season with Fred... twill be glorious. :-)

I know you mean figuratively, but literally he might actually hurt himself by coming back. He throws himself on the floor like a mad man and his face appears to be a magnet for elbows.

[wusphlash]

Mid season AA for Dickie V

http://espn.go.com/espn/dickvitale/story/_/id/12247200/unveiling-midseason-all-america-teams

[Aargh]

Hate me if you will, but Baker's NBA stock is taking the same route that the Bismarck took in WWII. It's sinking.

Some players mature earlier than others. Baker, in my opinion, is an early maturer. His game is not as advanced beyond his Fr year as might be expected. The early criticism that he doesn't create his own shot looks like it has some legs. He's not really making a lot of drives into the paint to score or dish. He's one of the best "catch and shoot" and one of the best "score off the screen" in D1, but he was that in his Fr year.

Baker has some post moves and the muscle and height to make him an incredible threat on the block, but the front court guys can't really pull their defenders to the perimeter to set Baker up for post moves on smaller and physically weaker players.

Baker is one of the best combo guards in D1. It's really rare for a SG to be able to adapt to playing point at the level Baker is doing it. Frankamp could not possibly have a better mentor than Baker. Baker's value in the NBA is going to be the equivalent of a utility infielder in baseball.

Baker has the ability to be average at multiple positions in the NBA. That's not an insult. That's quite a complimenht. That's also mid-second-round stuff. That's also the way to get Baker a 4th year at WSU.

Baker's development path is either hitting a plateau, or he's being hampered by getting doubled because defenses are ignoring WSU's PF's. Baker appears to be an early maturer. His 4th year is likely to resemble his 3rd year, unless the Shox have a much stronger front court next year. The front court next year appears to be a couple of Sophomores, so I can't think that there will be a much stronger front court next year than this year.

[BOBB]

Hate me if you will, but Baker's NBA stock is taking the same route that the Bismarck took in WWII. It's sinking.

Some players mature earlier than others. Baker, in my opinion, is an early maturer. His game is not as advanced beyond his Fr year as might be expected. The early criticism that he doesn't create his own shot looks like it has some legs. He's not really making a lot of drives into the paint to score or dish. He's one of the best "catch and shoot" and one of the best "score off the screen" in D1, but he was that in his Fr year.

Baker has some post moves and the muscle and height to make him an incredible threat on the block, but the front court guys can't really pull their defenders to the perimeter to set Baker up for post moves on smaller and physically weaker players.

Baker is one of the best combo guards in D1. It's really rare for a SG to be able to adapt to playing point at the level Baker is doing it. Frankamp could not possibly have a better mentor than Baker. Baker's value in the NBA is going to be the equivalent of a utility infielder in baseball.

Baker has the ability to be average at multiple positions in the NBA. That's not an insult. That's quite a complimenht. That's also mid-second-round stuff. That's also the way to get Baker a 4th year at WSU.

Baker's development path is either hitting a plateau, or he's being hampered by getting doubled because defenses are ignoring WSU's PF's. Baker appears to be an early maturer. His 4th year is likely to resemble his 3rd year, unless the Shox have a much stronger front court next year. The front court next year appears to be a couple of Sophomores, so I can't think that there will be a much stronger front court next year than this year.

I'm not sure this was terribly coherent.