The Knicks have the eight overall pick in the NBA Draft next week and restricted free agent Ron Baker told Marc Berman of the New York Post that defense should be the team’s main priority.
The Wichita State product was one of the Knicks’ few positives this past season, showing energy, tenacity, and ability on both sides of the ball. Baker was one of the few people to receive praise from team president Phil Jackson — who will try to secure the best player possible next week.
“Obviously I think our defense was not very good last year,’’ Baker said. “We gave up a lot of points, especially in transition. I think that would be a start for us, getting guys who can defend. That’s what my motto’s been. I felt we had plenty of scorers on our team when healthy. Defense is probably where we should lean on as a team.”
Baker has received interest around the league but the Knicks can match any offer since he’s a RFA. The 24-year-old is also unsure if he’ll play in the Summer League even though the Knicks want him to.
Here are additional notes around the Atlantic Division:
- Former Iona forward Jordan Washington worked out for the Nets yesterday, according to Adam Zagoria of Zags Blog (via Twitter).
- The Sixers will conduct pre-draft workouts with the following players today: Sterling Brown (SMU), Illimane Diop (Baskonia), Damonte Dodd (Maryland), Alpha Kaba (Mega Leks), Luke Kornet (Vanderbilt), and Nazareth Mitrou-Long (Iowa State), per the team’s official website.
- Holly MacKenzie of Raptors.com provides a roundup of the Raptors‘ pre-draft workouts and other statistics.
- Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun has a feature on John Jenkins, a former Hawks draft pick who recently worked out with the Raptors.
They should def bring Ron back on a nice contract, the dude could be a very serviceable pest on the defensive end. Melo is def gone if Phil is trying to improve that defense, I say he drafts Ntikilina and keeps Melo.
Yes, Ron Baker’s opinion should be listened to.
How about the Knicks draft the best available player considering a rebuild is in order. The only reason Baker is on the roster is due to how bad the Knicks are and his contract is dirt cheap. Sprinkle a couple of decent players on the Knicks and Baker is playing pick up games on West 4th.
baker actually played pretty good last year, he can be a nice role player
Your sarcasm actually speaks truth. They *should* listen to Ron Baker because he’s right, their defense is pitiful.
Also, Baker will get a deal this offseason, from the Knicks or someone else. He’ll play in the league for awhile seeing as he gives a good defensive effort.
They should get Monk