Paging Mr. Balkman
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- March
- 11
Remember last season when Renaldo Balkman ran around the court rattling opponents? On several occasions, I was certain it was only a matter of time before somebody got angry enough to swing away. He was a persistent source of aggravation from end line to end line.
What ever happened to that guy?
Balkman was dealing with back spasms recently, which might explain why he’s been scarce. I’m starting to wonder, though, when he’ll begin to develop some intelligence to go with the energy. Balkman seems to pick up two silly fouls and make two bad decisions with the ball every time he steps on the court of late.
Maybe he’s tradeproofing himself.
Over the last 10 games, Balkman is averaging just 1.3 points and 2.6 rebounds in 11.1 minutes. He’s not become a stopper, either. When the season’s over, Balkman needs to keep on going and rediscover whatever fueled the fire that propelled him last season.
In other news, I’m wondering how many Knicks will seek asylum in Miami and refuse to get on the plane tomorrow night when it’s time to get on the charter headed for home. Eddy Curry did not rejoin his teammates. He’s still at home resting the knee.
And eating salad.
By the way, Curry is probably targeted more than any other player in the locker room when it comes to jokes, practical and otherwise. He and Nate Robinson are forever destroying each other’s dress clothes. And he never seems to get mad.
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, March 11th, 2008 at 9:12 pm by Mike Dougherty.
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nice post, mike
Mike,
All we seem to be getting from you guys these days is the same old ‘the Knicks sure stink…’ story. We get that. As I asked in a previous post to you, what is the mindset of NYK management in regards to the front office? Will Isiah be back next season? As president? Coach? Both? Has ownership indicated that they will be speaking to the press concerning this situation after the season? Has Isiah been given the ‘vote of confidence’?
I think that if they were/are planning to get rid of Isiah, should they not be putting feelers out now? Has any of that activity been going on?
If I’m management, Isiah would be gone by now, if he was going to go. With the lottery pick that they are going to get, why let a lame duck GM/coach plan such an important draft? This is an indicator to me that Isiah may be here next season.
There is no need to page Balkman.
As with any job – if there is no proper motivation – why should employees go out and put it all on the line for a losing cause…or for a coach that played you in the media saying that it was ur fault we lost a game a few weeks ago when in fact other players said that Isiah said nothing to balkman about his defensive sequence.
Isiah needs to go…All he is a chicago 2 bit hustler. Says what people want to hear and gets what he wants without any results or accountability.
But I guess we got to give him that – he does know how to survive!
From what we read Curry may be Nates best friend on the team so no surprise they goof on each other.
As far as Balkman goes that is just another guy Isiah has mismanaged this season. His coaching and minutes have little continuity so how can guys like Balk stay game ready mentally?
To answer the poll on the side, I said 3:
Lee, Nate, Crawford, all improved in my eyes this season. Lee would not have been on the list a month or two ago, but lately, yup.
And I can’t believe Mardy and ‘Naldo are not on that list. A year ago I was so excited about those two
Curry—I think they should shut him down for the rest of the season.
First, he’s had three decent games in a row. This will only increase his trade value in the offseason. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that he had those games with Zach out of the lineup. Now that Zack is back I don’t see Curry returning to that level, even if his knee is 100% fine. So this is his high-water point, if the right opportunity to trade him in the offseason arises.
Second, as bad as he’s been playing before this recent stretch it can be argued that he gives them a better chance to win. And the Knicks need to be in lottery-pick mode. Right now they’re in the top five. I don’t want them to drop out of that.
So, shut down Curry and wait till next year. And, of course, FIRE ISAIH!!!
From what I hear, the main issue with Balkman is he has serious off the court issues. He rarely gets enough sleep, partys a lot and as a result is constantly sick , fatigued and mentally dazed. Apparently in practice he never knows the plays and is constantly spacing out. While he may make up for it in games with hustle, it is understandable why isiah is hesitent to play him if in practice his head is constantly in la la land.
What isiah should really do is FINE him for being unprepared, there is no discipline on this team. Eddy curry should have been fined for cming 2 camp over weight. Jerome james should have been suspended a tun of times. You think pat riley would let this slide? Make balkman stay hours after to study plays and gameplans with the assistant coachs and fine him if he does not comply.
wasn’t clear on the eating salad part. i know the man weighs a lot, but it could also be interpreted as “he eats salad, which would explain his soft demanor on the basketball court.”
The best part of the season was last years summer league. Nate, Renaldo, Randolph Morris, Chandler, Nichols, and Jared Jordan consistently outplayed and out hustled opponents. They humbled Kevin Durant. Balkman was a man among boys.
Of these guys, two were cut, two were mired on the bench or the inactive list, and only Nate has gotten consistent minutes and improved. So, yeah, my vote is that only 2 Knicks have improved. Him and David Lee. Renaldo is a better player than Jared Jeffries but has been stuck behind him in the rotation all year.
What does this prove? Isiah has a great eye for talent but no management skills.
dan
Don’t go by summer league. Rick Brunson and Lavor Postell were studs in summer league. Every year.