No easy answers
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- July
- 29
Since the Knicks have never been in the business of cutting payroll, I expected to see a lot of the questions being raised here and elsewhere in cyberspace.
A lot of you are looking for an explanation.
We didn’t have an opportunity to speak with Knicks president Donnie Walsh yesterday, so the official reasons for dealing Renaldo Balkman have not been issued. It really is first and foremost a move to cut salary and clear roster space. He was an extra piece, popular but superfluous. And we don’t know whether there were any issues beyond the business of basketball.
There’s probably a reason why he spent an inordinate amount of minutes on the bench last season.
Balkman didn’t seem to make lot of progress during the offseason, and was immediately limited by a nagging ankle injury. We never got to see him practice, so it’s not easy to define what kind of habits were on display there. Perhaps the organization did not feel he was focused and hungry. Isiah Thomas had a habit of preaching life lessons on the court and in the locker room, and might have been limiting Balkman for issues off the court.
Lots of hints were dropped last season, but nobody in the organization addressed the situation on the record.Walsh did a lot of homework before he began to shuffle the deck, and I’m fairly certain Balkman was seen as an extra piece.By not getting anything of value back in the deal, he could potentially saved about $2 million and clear two roster spots. And while cutting Taurean Green and Bobby Jones will not make a dent in the current bottom line, every dollar counts because the Knicks aren’t in a position to make a move or three and get under the salary cap by 2010.
There will be more tough decisions to make in the months ahead.This deal moves and extra piece, makes more minutes available for Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari, and perhaps shows David Lee the Knicks value what he does before they all sit down to negotiate a contract extension.
Right now, that’s all we know for sure.
(AP Photo by Frank Franklin II)
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, July 29th, 2008 at 9:31 am by Mike Dougherty.
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I know first hand from a good friend of mine who works for the Knicks that Balkman had some serious off the court issues. He was always getting sick, partying, never slept. He never knew any plays. He was a mess. He made up for it with hustle but we all know that wont fly in D’Antonis system you have to know the plays.. The guy is fried. literally. Its unfortunate but maybe getting to a smaller city like Denver will help him
Elite,
I’m not sure how accurate you are, but he always look high to me, too. Plus the fact he can’t shoot, not even a free throw and he’s out of control. He’ll make a highlight play here and there, but over all he’s limited.
Chandler, then Rooster should play the three (Q never should get off the bench). I hope this Rooster is any good.
I don’t think anyone is disputing the fact that balkman’s game was not suited for D’Antoni’s system…it’s the fact – what we got in return for him that has me peeved. Just last season, sac wanted balkman to be included in a deal for Artest…he could have been a good pawn to sweeten up a zach deal…there was no point in dealing him this early when training camp is mths away…
Makes no sense to me. Well atleast we know that the roster is now at 15 so the marbury speculation of him being the one to be bought out can now be laid to rest.
Mike,
I don’t know about what issues he had off the court. I do agree that he has not made much progress which may not be his fault considering the circus we have here.
Although Zeke was management, I find it hilarious that he preaches to anyone or that anyone would take him seriously.
As I said before and as others have said on the other thread, Balkman is not a foundation player and is not a good enough energy player to be compelled to want to keep him.
The team is shedding $$ because of the stupid decisions made in years past.
I think the most pressing need for this team is to get rid of Marbury. He has been directly responsible for the firing of the previous two coaches.
If he is allowed to stay on this team he will continue to be a cancer. As painful financially as it may be to cut the chord they will need to.
Perhaps they can find some GM who could use his skills and star power. Otherwise eat the contract and get a mid level exception point guard who will distribute the ball and play D.
This team can make the playoffs if the players buy into the system. They won’t be a good team, but that is not a requirement for the post season.