Ron Baker, NBA Prospect

[Aargh]

I'm not sure this was terribly coherent.

What part has surpassed your comprehensive abilities? I'm not seeing the problems, but it's normal for an author to miss the difficulty in the comprehension of others.

You have my apologies for anything that doesn't make sense to readers. Please help me out by pointing out the problems. Maybe I can do better if I'm aware of the problems.

[Dave Stalwart]

What part has surpassed your comprehensive abilities? I'm not seeing the problems, but it's normal for an author to miss the difficulty in the comprehension of others.

You have my apologies for anything that doesn't make sense to readers. Please help me out by pointing out the problems. Maybe I can do better if I'm aware of the problems.

I really liked the part where you said Baker will come back. That's all I need to know :)

[Aargh]

I really liked the part where you said Baker will come back. That's all I need to know :)

Thank you.

[SHOXAAC]

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 respect your opinion. I agree he should return, and probably will, for his senior season. As far as maturing early and not being advanced beyond his FR year as expected, I disagree with. You might restate it so I can better understand, because how can you say out of one side of your mouth that he is one of the best combo guards in D1, while saying out of the other side he hasn't progressed since his FR year. That would mean he was one of the best combo guards as a FR, which is crazy talk. I also agree with you that he will probably be average at the next level at more than one position. You are correct about it not being an insult.

[Aargh]

Baker was one of the best combo guards in D1 as a Fr. He wasn't asked to demonstrate that because Armstead and VanVleet had that covered. I believe Baker already had that skill, even though he wan't asked or required to demonstrate it.

Some players show tremendous progress as they progress through their D1 careers. Others show less progress. It's just a matter of maturity as a player. Some mature earlier than others.

I know it's apples to oranges, but let me use this as an example.

Stutz was insignificant as a Fr. He was unstoppable as a Sr. That's a classic example of a late maturer who makes huge progress as he goes through his D1 career.

For better or worse, Baker's Fr year was defined by his game against Gonzaga on the way to WSU's F4. That's the standard he's had to live up to ever since. Compared to that game, his game is only marginally above that level. Whether that's on him or whether it's on Marshall for not providing a front court to take pressure off Baker is up for discussion.

I know it's apples to oranges, but the progress Baker has made compared to the progress Stutz made illustrates the difference between an "early maturer" (Baker) and a "late maturer" (Stutz).

[Dan]

1. Baker is a better all around player than he was as a freshman
2. Baker is the main focus of the opposing defense this year

[Jamar Howard 4 President]

1. Baker is a better all around player than he was as a freshman
2. Baker is the main focus of the opposing defense this year

Baker is a better all around player now than as a freshman, but not by leaps and bounds. Mostly shows how good he was as a Freshman.

[DUShock]

@

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 think this is a fair and concise assessment.

[shockmonster]

@I think this is a fair and concise assessment.

But, had you disagreed, you would be a "hater". LOL

[pinstripers]

At any rate, he should graduate. There is a lot of money to be made playing in Europe.

[DUShock]

But, had you disagreed, you would be a "hater". LOL

Perhaps.

[shockmonster]

Jmo but when Baker graduates and decides to move on, there will be some takers in the NBA for him. He probably will not be a star, but is good at every basketball skill, and is a winner (at every level). He makes those around him better. He will make an NBA roster for several years before injuries slow him down.

[SHOXAAC]

Jmo but when Baker graduates and decides to move on, there will be some takers in the NBA for him. He probably will not be a star, but is good at every basketball skill, and is a winner (at every level). He makes those around him better. He will make an NBA roster for several years before injuries slow him down.

Kirk Hinrich type of career, hopefully.

[Play Angry]

Jmo but when Baker graduates and decides to move on, there will be some takers in the NBA for him.

I agree- it will be very surprising if he does not land on a roster whenever he decides to leave. The high end of Europe ball is a fine fall back option, but I think Ron is destined to play in the NBA a while.

[HockeyShock]

At times like this, I find it helpful to apply the Kyle Korver test: Is the prospect in question more or less talented than Kyle Korver? If so, then he has the potential for a long NBA career.

I think we'd all agree that Ron Baker is more talented than Kyle Korver. And since work ethic isn't an issue, I am confident that he will have a long NBA career. Perhaps as a role player, perhaps as more, but barring catastrophe, we'll be watching him on TV for years to come.

This is why I am also confident in Cleanthony Early's long term prospects.