The Latest : Summer 2003 -- Ganon and the NBA
Why aren't you in the NBA? You should be in the NBA! Man, you're better than most NBA players. These are just a few of the comments and questions that Ganon Baker hears all the time. Being an extremely modest and humble person, Ganon never has much of a reply.
This summer, Ganon and the NBA finally met and it happened in a very unique way......
The Denver Nuggets held their Second Annual Open Tryout on June 28th, 2003. Ganon's wife, Heidi, secretly registered him in this tryout. Ganon found out about 3 weeks in advance and trained as much as possible while still managing Shake N' Bake.
The couple flew to Denver June 26th to give Ganon a chance to acclimate himself to the climate (Denver has very thin air). Ganon spent all day Friday June 27th working out on the hot outdoor courts of the Pepsi Center where the tryouts would be. Out of the 200 expected players the following day, Ganon was the only one on that court that Friday afternoon. He often speaks about passion and dedication, but he practices it too. It was just him, the hot court, a basketball, and his rebounding wife. A few workers who were setting up couldn't help but to gather and watch. It seemed that they were most impressed with how hard he was working. He couldn't leave until he was satisfied. It's a typical trait of Ganon's; he never leaves his workout until he's satisfied...NBA tryout the next day or not.
The following day - June 28th - the big day - was very exciting. Ganon and Heidi couldn't decide who was more nervous. The Pepsi Center parking lot was filled with camera crews, radio DJ's, news reporters, fans waiting to see Carmello Anthony (who did in fact make an appearance and signed autographs later in the day), Denver Nuggets coaches and personnel, and of course the 215 players. The tryout began with a warm-up and stretch and proceeded onto basketball drills. The players were divided up into teams and the games began. The first cut went from 215 players to 75. The drama kept mounting with the coaches taking about 20 minutes to deliberate. Ganon was among the 75. Those 75 players were then divided up into teams and played more games. The next cut was more serious. Again the 20 minute wait and then the announcement of 12 players. Ganon was part of that 12. His wife was either biting her nails, getting Ganon water, or on the phone with family and friends awaiting any kind of news. The final 12 played one championship game of 5 on 5 with all the fans surrounding the court. Ganon clearly had plenty of fans pulling for him. They were calling out his number and cheering. You could hear the oohs and ahhs as Ganon was knocking down 3 pointers with his right hand and then his left. When the game was over the coaches again needed time to make their final decision of 4 players. During the wait, Ganon started to take off his shoes. His wife, Heidi, exclaimed, "Don't do that yet; they're getting ready to call out the numbers!" Ganon's reply was, "Babe, it's been fun, but I'm not in the final four." Just then the DJ started the announcement. The very first number called was #16 - Ganon Baker. As his wife started crying and the fans starting cheering and patting him on the back, Ganon sat stunned a second and then slowly rose from his chair. He began to walk to the court and then started to run as the news sunk in. He planted a big bear hug on the Denver Nuggets' Head Coach Jeff Bzdelik. The other 3 players were called and then the media swarmed. Heidi fumbled with her cell as she called anxious family. Ganon and the other 3 players had won the opportunity to return the following week for the Denver Nuggets' Free Agent/Rookie Camp. Once back in the hotel room later in the day, Ganon got on his knees at the hotel bedside and humbly prayed to God, "Don't let this change who I am."
Ganon and Heidi returned home to enjoy some time with family and friends for the 4th of July. Ganon flew back to Denver for training camp July 6th. He was picked up at the airport by a Denver Nuggets bus. He stayed at the Embassy Suites. He tells the story of waiting on his roommate to show up only to find out that each player there (33 in total) had their own suite. His happened to be next to Carmello's. The players were picked up each day in black SUV's from the hotel and treated very well with complete access to anything Denver Nuggets. Ganon said that the trainers were wonderful and the locker room was amazing. He was also given Denver Nuggets gear.
Ganon ended up breaking his right pinky finger at practice on the second day. He played through the injury and was determined to keep playing with his finger taped knowing that the first cut was in the near future. The Nuggets decided that it was best if a doctor looked at Ganon's finger and so he was taken to the hospital. An x-ray was taken and his finger was severely broken - split right down the middle. Ganon returned to the Pepsi Center and received some treatment from the training staff. He was let go later that night along with about 15 other guys.
Ganon ultimately says this of his experience: "At least I know that I was good enough to hang with that talent level. It was always a question that I had and now I've answered it. I also know that I'm teaching kids the right things. I have done and continue to do everything I teach, and it got me to the highest level. I was an NBA player for a few days and it was great! I will always be grateful to the Denver Nuggets for that opportunity."
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