A coaching job may not be what a 25-year-old like Ron Baker is looking for after being cut by the Knicks Thursday, but David Fizdale says the guard has the right qualities to helm an NBA team.
"I'm telling you, his understanding of the game, work ethic, communicator, leader -- he's got all those intangibles," the Knicks coach said, per Marc Berman of the New York Post. "I think when it's finally said and done for him, I think he has a career in this league if he wants to [as a coach]."
The Knicks released the gritty Baker to clear a roster spot after signing Allonzo Trier to a two-year deal. Fizdale said the move wasn't an easy one to make.
"This was the hardest one I've ever been a part of,'' Fizdale said, per the Post. "Cutting Ron Baker was really rough. I talked to him today. He was fantastic. He's Ron Baker. He's a pro. He totally understood where we were. Obviously it goes without saying we're resources to him. If anyone ever calls me on him I'll have nothing but incredible things to say about him.
"I even joked to him a little bit when he's finally done, spend some time with me and I may have a coach on my hands there."
Baker drew praise from several teammates after getting cut. None mentioned a possible career in coaching, but all lauded him as a consummate professional -- and someone they perhaps wouldn't mind playing for someday.