In the grand theatrical tradition of brave fools standing in the path of most resistance only to meet their inevitable doom, Ron Baker tried to stop a baseline Anthony Davis dunk on Saturday.
Thank you, Ron Baker
Your contribution to the culture is appreciated.
Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images
Some would question Baker’s decision-making. I applaud it. For without Baker and his fragile face, this dunk would have been pedestrian. Baker made it epic.
Without Baker, we don’t get this incredible Associated Press photo.
Baker is the only Knicks player to rotate hard to offer a defense of the rim as Davis prepares to lift off. For his troubles, he receives a posterization, a personal foul, a hard fall, and ... this.
Baker had to go back to the locker room and receive three stitches while Davis finished the and-1. This is the height of sacrifice.
Kudos to you, Ron Baker. Kudos to you, Thon Maker. And you, P.J. Tucker. Your earnest commitment to finishing the play allows us to witness art. Without you, the world would be lesser. Thank you.
