Questions for Jimmy Baron?

[RhodeIslandRams]

OK folks, certainly this is a more delicate interview, but Jimmy Baron has agreed to answer some questions from Russia. I didn't want to leave him out due to the coaching change and any feelings some may have toward his father or brother or mother or whomever.

Most would agree Jimmy was a very good player and role model here, and I thought it was a classy move for him to agree to answer questions.

So give me your questions for consideration!


(also, anyone with contacts, even facebook or twitter accounts, of some former Ram players, please share and I'll attempt to have them on)

And for those who missed last year's Coach Penders interview, it's now up on my site:
http://rhodeislandrams.com/?page_id=234 ... ow-that-is

[ATPTourFan]

I think you'd have to spend some time on some of his best performances, and what it felt to have that kind of shooting touch on the big stage. I'm thinking Syracuse at the Carrier Dome and Duke at Cameron Indoor, but I know he may remember other performances where he felt unstoppable.

[twisted3829]

his game at Duke was ridiculous

[RamInLA]

his game at Duke was ridiculous

One of the best shooting performances I've ever seen. Jimmy single-handedly took the air out of Cameron Indoor, multiple times. That's no easy feat.

[Rhody74]

I'd be interested in what it's like playing in Europe .... level of competition, how the game is played, etc. His eventual goals would be interesting, too.

[rodfromcranston]

Anyone asking Lamar Odom questions?

[URIGONZO]

Can we ask Billy any questions?

[Ramulous]

I would like to ask Jimmy who were the five toughest defenders he played against while at URI.

[Ryan Rowdy]

Could you ask him how he ever came up with his trick shot where he shoots from the seats just below the suites, over the vent system, and into the hoop?

[RhodeIslandRams]

Rod,

I've written to Lamar, not sure the request will reach him. I'll be working on getting tons of former players all year, hopefully will land a few good ones..

[rodfromcranston]

Good to hear. One of the former greats, Denny McGovern lives here in RI.
Denny was a 20ppg who was an outside shooter, who shot 53.3%, with no 3 point line!

[SGreenwell]

I'd ask him if he ever felt any friction from his teammates, given his status as the coach's son. Did it cause him personally to work harder in practice? Speaking of that, what is / was his practice routine? And finally, what's his professional life like? I love pretty much any story about the European / Asian basketball leagues - Paul Shirley had some great ones in his book, and I read a good book over the summer on the burgeoning yet still Mickey Mouse Chinese Basketball League.

[TruePoint]

Would appreciate if you told him 'thanks' for his effort and his class at URI and 'congrats and good luck' on his pro career on behalf of Rhody fans (at least this Rhody fan). Its important to me that he knows that his career and all that he accomplished personally at URI aren't diminished by how things ended with his father. I think, as fans, we have to make the distinction between Jimmy and Jim Sr. and not confuse our feeling for each of them.

[ATPTourFan]

Would appreciate if you told him 'thanks' for his effort and his class at URI and 'congrats and good luck' on his pro career on behalf of Rhody fans (at least this Rhody fan). Its important to me that he knows that his career and all that he accomplished personally at URI aren't diminished by how things ended with his father. I think, as fans, we have to make the distinction between Jimmy and Jim Sr. and not confuse our feeling for each of them.

ABSOLUTELY!!

[sf2010]

I'd like to find out who he most enjoyed playing alongside during his four years at Rhody.

Also, if there was any player before he arrived at URI that he really looked up to and received advice from while he was younger and hanging around the gym.

Just watched this video again today to remember how awesome he is...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtdQGPZ6U1s

[Ramulous]

I join TruePoint and ATP in wishing that you convey to Jimmy how much we appreciated him...he became one of my favorite Rams of all time and I will always hold him in high esteem.

[RhodeIslandRams]

True Point and others, I told him twice already (and will send YOUR thoughts as well).

Can't be easy being in the situation he was in, and even though I'm not close to the program, it seemed to ME that he did work harder to keep a good attitude and strong work ethic. I specifically invited him to the group we interview so that he knows he will always be one of our favorite Rams regardless of the 'drama'.

I'm not a Baron boy, and was really rooting for the Hurley hire. But Jimmy was a fun guy to watch play.

[Running Ram]

Okay, I'm wondering if he has any idea how many shots he has taken in his lifetime, 1/2 mil, 1 mil...200 shots a day for 20 yrs, which is totally possible, is 1.46 mil...
Also I echo tp, atp and others sentiments about Jimmy and this may be the homer in me, but I have to believe he is one of the best pure shooters in the world, I mean the guy shoots from 25 feet like he's under the hoop.

[Blue Man]

Without a doubt he's one of the best pure shooters in the world. I am legitimately shocked an NBA team hasn't sniffed interest.

He has a shot you can't teach. Plenty of guards don't play D. Not many guards shoot like that.

[adam914]

Man I love watching that video. Still get goosebumps during the Duke highlights every time...

[Rhody D]

My ears started ringing while watching that video. Reminded me of how loud the Ryan center used to get when Jimmy would knock down a three at the end. I am looking forward to more ear ringing this year and many years to come.

[Essam]

Has he had a coach after leaving URI that set up plays and screen for him. Has he ever been the focal point of the offense or has he dad to make his own shots?

[Rhody Guy]

Okay, I'm wondering if he has any idea how many shots he has taken in his lifetime, 1/2 mil, 1 mil...200 shots a day for 20 yrs, which is totally possible, is 1.46 mil...
Also I echo tp, atp and others sentiments about Jimmy and this may be the homer in me, but I have to believe he is one of the best pure shooters in the world, I mean the guy shoots from 25 feet like he's under the hoop.

i would put it closer to 1000 shots a day for 20 years.

[Rhody Guy]

I would like to know if he has had any workouts with NBA teams since his last summer league appearance a couple of years ago.

[bigappleram]

can you ask him when exactly he adapted Rhody72's free throw shooting advice and how that propelled him to greatness?

[ramster]

I'd like to know how Jimmy compares playing on the Coast of Spain to now playing in Russia?
How do the two leagues compare talentwise and what is the difference in the style of play?
Which does he enjoy more, Spain or Russia?
How is the attention from the females in Spain for a professional basektball player from the US? How is the attention from the Russion women? Which enviromnent does he enjoy more? Spain or Russion women?
and of course please pass on my thanks for his contributions to URI Basketball, for his hard work and continuous improvement as he made himself into one of the greatest shooters in NCAA history.

Thanks,

[reef]

He definetly has the deepest range I have ever seen in college. He has made multiple 30 footers, just sick

[luke]

Would just like to tell Jimmy that I think his play is even more appreciated now than when he was at URI. Yeah, you would think some NBA team could use a shooter of his caliber. 76ers I'm looking in your direction.

[Iggy1979]

How many years does he see himself playing overseas and would he like to then get into coaching?

[ATPTourFan]

I thought he always said coaching wasn't for him, as he would prefer to be in broadcasting.

[reef]

I remember he said broadcasting as well

He may be like a Ronnie Perry ????

[ramster]

I thought he always said coaching wasn't for him, as he would prefer to be in broadcasting.

Being so young, maybe he could have a change of heart?
I think it is a good question, along the lines of what do you see yourself doing once your playing days are over - a basic open ended question.
Not many kids Jimmy's age have seen as much of the world as he has already. College basketball that took him many places in the US, then Turkey,Spain and now Russia...........amazing.
Would be interesting to know how he likes this world traveling at this juncture of his life.
Does he get homesick?
How often does he return to the states?
How many Canisius games does he plan to take in this season?
Good for Jimmy - one of the greatest shooters I have ever personally witnessed.

Look forward to Jimmy's replies to our questions.

[Rhody72]

BAR, wow! I never realized that my cogent advice could impress someone as it has you. To think that some people don't realize that you can use coaching throughout their life. Then again, I'm not a stereotypical know-it-all new yorker. Why do you think professional athletes in a slump compare their present technique with their technique when things were going well? Why do professional golfers have a swing coach?

[bigappleram]

You are the guy that was picking apart the technique of perhaps the most prolific free throw shooter any of us have ever seen in person....and I'm the know-it-all. Good one. You just compared your advice to that of a PROFESSIONAL opinion (a swing coach), are you joking?