It’s been years since Ron Baker wore the orange and blue under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, but if you think he left New York behind, think again. From Wichita to Manhattan, Baker’s basketball journey may have taken unexpected turns, but his connection to the Big Apple remains unshaken. The man, the myth, the mop-haired cult hero — Ron Baker is still repping NY like he never left.
Back in 2016, when Baker went undrafted, no one expected him to make much noise in the NBA. But New York saw something different. He was gritty. He was humble. He played hard every single possession. In a city known for its unforgiving spotlight, Ron didn’t just survive — he earned respect. Fans in the Garden stood and cheered not for the flashiest player, but for the one who played like every game might be his last.
He was never the star. Never the top scorer. But he brought that blue-collar energy New Yorkers live and breathe. Dive on the floor? No problem. Take a charge? Every night. Guard someone twice his size? Let’s go. And while his stats never made headlines, his heart always did.
Even now, post-retirement, the legend of Ron Baker lives on in the city. He pops up at Knicks events, youth clinics, and fan meetups, still wearing the smile that made him so approachable. He walks the streets of NYC with no entourage, no bravado — just Ron. The same guy who used to sign autographs after games even when he’d played just two minutes.
Social media? Still full of Knicks fans tagging him, showing love. Some call him the “People’s Champ,” others just miss his hustle. He’s even been seen rocking old Knicks gear — not out of nostalgia, but out of pride. In a league where players jump teams and brands in a heartbeat, loyalty is rare. But Ron? He’s loyal to the city that gave him a shot.
And let’s talk about his impact off the court. Baker’s involvement in community events, charity games, and youth development projects keeps him rooted in the culture. He never tried to become something he wasn’t. He leaned into his role — both on and off the floor. That’s why New Yorkers still chant his name in throwback posts and Twitter threads. To them, he represents something real. No hype, just heart.
Wichita might be where his story began, but New York is where the legend took shape.
There’s something poetic about a guy like Ron Baker being remembered in a city known for superstars. In a place that worshipped Patrick Ewing, applauded Carmelo Anthony, and now cheers for Jalen Brunson — Ron carved out his own space. Not because of how high he could jump or how many points he scored, but because he never stopped grinding. In New York, that means everything.
Today, whether he’s coaching, speaking, or just living life away from the hardwood, Baker keeps that NY energy alive. Still humble. Still hungry. Still repping. 🗽🔥
He may not be on the court anymore, but the echoes of “Let’s go Ron!” still bounce off the Garden’s walls. He’ll always be one of the city’s own — a symbol of effort, of grit, of what it means to leave everything out there, even if no one’s keeping score.
So yeah, Ron Baker’s still repping NY. Not because he has to. Because it’s in him. Always has been.
