Defining Balkman
What is Renaldo Balkman? I was watching the game last night -- the wife had her grandmother, mother and aunt over, I politely retired to the TV room after dessert -- and found myself chuckling several times when the play involved him. I kept thinking of Nate Robinson's comment to me about his own play: "My out-of-control is my control."
Not even Nate defines that statement as well as Balkman.
His line in the Knicks' 91-87 win over Golden State (which played without sensational rookie Marco Belinelli, who left for Italy after four summer league games) was filled with numbers: 19 points, 12 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 blocked shots. He also had a flagrant foul on Jerry Dupree, who made a lot of noise a few minutes earlier after he flushed one on rookie Wilson Chandler off the break. On his next attempt, Dupree was caught from behind by Taz and hit the floor hard.
During the free throw attempts, a few Warriors players quietly let Balkman know they weren't happy with the hit. Balkman showed little expression, carried on a conversation with Josh Powell, and even slapped him five. But as you watched the conversation, you could see Balkman showed little remorse and even less of an indication that he wouldn't do it again.
As a Knicks fan, you have to appreciate that part of Renaldo's game. As you guys have posted, we know Balkman has put a lot of time already this summer at IMG working on the skill side of his game, mainly shooting. He has looked a lot better from the free throw line this summer (he hit 9 of 12 against Golden State and is shooting 70 percent in four games compared to this season, when he shot 56.7 percent from the line).
It's hard to imagine he'll ever really have the kind of game you can count on every game. Balkman is a situational player. He thrives in the transition game and, no disrespect intended, the sloppy games, which we tend to see in summer league. Last night the Knicks committed 23 turnovers and Golden State had 28. Plenty of messes on the floor for Balkman to hustle to.
He's also learning quickly how to use his energy and tenacity to make someone's game look real ugly. Isiah Thomas once labeled him a "push man," which meant Balkman has the ability to get the ball and push it up the floor. After watching one situation last night in which he made a steal, went behind his back, almost lost the ball but regained it and exploded to the hoop to draw a foul . . . let's hope he develops better recognition for giving it up to a guard more often than not!
Watching him, however, it's hard not to see in his game the elements of two very successful NBA players: Dennis Rodman and Ron Artest.
I know, I know.
* * *
- Chandler had his best game in the summer league last night. He had 17 points and shot 7 for 12 from the floor and showed a lot of his trademark athleticism. He's very raw, however. Unlike Balkman, who had so much of his crazy athleticism and tenacity to earn him some tick as a rookie, I can't see Chandler getting to the scorer's table in prime time that often.
- N8 the Gr8 continues to put up gaudy numbers (23 points, 7 assists, 2 steals and, for a 5-9 guy this stat is eye-catching: 2 blocked shots). Most impressively, I think was that in a game of over 50 turnovers, Nate had just 4 in 37 minutes of play. But don't let me fool you into thinking I'm among the converted. As I've said many times over the past week, he's playing against inferior competition.
- Stephon Marbury's Tour de Kicks is underway once again and the good news is he's moved it earlier in the summer. Last year, he barnstormed to promote his low-cost, high-quality shoe (I know someone whose son wears it to basketball camp and they are quite pleased, so much so the whole family is practically outfitted in Starbury gear) only weeks before training camp. The Knicks have been supportive of Marbury's admirable efforts off the court, but I've heard they weren't too pleased with his scheduling last year.
Word is he's guest-blogging for one of my colleagues this summer. I encourage you to check it out.
- The extra $20-or-so mil Mo Williams is taking from the Bucks ($52 million total) has to be worth playing on a marginally average team while the Miami Heat probably would have contended for another title with him at the mid-level. Money is always the root, but, at 24 years old, would you for a second consider taking a chance on a three-year deal for about $18 million for a shot at a title and then try to cash-in on free agency after that? I won't even try to compare living in South Florida to Milwaukee from November until April, let alone playing with Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal to Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut.
- Free agent Mikki Moore signed with the Sacramento Kings, who reached an agreement with the 7-0 PF/C. You guys know I've been a big fan of him as a key role player who can hit a mid-range shot (he led the league in FG%) and be an interior presence on defense. The Kings got him for the mid-level exception. I know Zach Randolph is here, but I'd have given that to him if I were the Knicks and cut Jerome James loose. Perhaps Moore wanted to go out west or to a team where he felt he had a chance to start and get big minutes, I don't exactly know the truth to that, but he would have fit a major need for the Knicks. It doesn't appear that they showed much interest.
If anything, at least he no longer plays for the Nets, who replaced Moore with another big body in Jamaal Magloire. Moore had strong games against the Knicks this past season. But in Magloire, the Nets get another project for Jason Kidd to turn into a productive player. We'll see.
- The summer league ends tonight (Sunday) with a finale against the Denver Nuggets. The Knicks can tie the Dallas Mavericks for the best record at 5-0.
As Homer would say, "Woo-hoo!"
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Comments (20)
Allan when you say that Chandler is raw what exactly do you mean? I always thought that 'raw' meant talented offensively but unpolished in team game, ie, passing, defense, positioning etc. Chandlers game to me is very polished in all of those phases. He is mostly in the right spots and does the right things on both sides of the ball. And the numbers support that across the board. The only thing I see that may be somewhat of a negative is that he is too much of a team player and doesn't show a "scorer's mentality" so to speak. His points are very quiet but they are there.
Alan,
Your blogs is turning into my first read of the day. I missed the game last night and was hoping for an update. Glad I had Knickd news to read with my coffee.
I've been telling people since Balkman joined the Knicks that he's a baby Rodman. The only thing missing is Rodman's uncanny ability to get inside his opponent's head - although if Balkman keeps playing like he's been in Summer League, that will come. I can almost hear the guys he plays against thinking 'Aw, crap, not this guy...'
Balkman may, in the long run, prove to be among the top players that Zeke has ever acquired in the draft. Kudos to Balkman for putting in the time at IMG to improve his game.
Great post as always Alan; thanks for the rundown on Balkman and what he's been up to this summer. This sort of thing is esp great for those of us who are away from the States and can't see the summer league games or get the latest info very easily.
totally agree with Rush. Chandler's all-around game looks very solid and not 'raw' at all, especially his defense and him not forcing shots. I think you could put him on the floor next season and he would not hurt the team at all. His overall game has been more impressive than Nichols'.
Mr. Hahn, I enjoy your insightful and balanced posts. Kudos for your reference to Marbury's appearance on a competitors post. You are a true fan of teh game and that is what is distinguishing you from your colleagues.
As you probably know, your work is attracting a lot of attention from many of us who populate Knick Knation of the Daily News. From June to July Frank Isola's blog has had over 1840 posts which is not a reflection of the quality of the blogs but the quality of the posting community. I predict your numbers will rise soon if you keep this up, because we are FANATICS interested in enhancing our BBALL experience with excellent reporting and analysis. Thank you.
BTW, Chandler is no more "raw" than Collins and Balkman were last year. Like Balkman and Collins who were needed to fulfill a need (due in part to injuries and suspensions ) Collins will be called upon before the end of the season to show us his NBA game.
totally agree with Rush. Chandler's all-around game looks very solid and not 'raw' at all, especially his defense and him not forcing shots. I think you could put him on the floor next season and he would not hurt the team at all. His overall game has been more impressive than Nichols'.
Great job Alan. Keep up the good work. You're a professional, a good writer WITH B-ball (possibly street) creds. I also appreciate your patience in dealing with colleagues and posters who were never picked while choosing sides--at any level). I think the slang of it is--"they ain't never played a lick of ball".
Lives... you are a gentleperson and write like a scholar. This site should be the forum for the B-ball enthusiasts as the others have denigrated to racial, homophobic and plainly immature/non-basketball antics. If they come, we can hope that everyone maintains the decorum and professionalism that you have established here Alan.
KFL
Where can I find Marbury's guest blogging duties?
Steady,
You hit the nail on the head. A quality blog can do without all the constant racial animus and homophobia. While I have no problem with reasoned and reasonable discussions about life, becuase I believe BBall touches all aspects of life, a good blog that deals with basketball is what we want and need. Perhaps the quality of the Blogger leading the discussion cn influence the dialogue that follows. I hope so. Let's stick around and find out.
CDL -- check out the New York Post. It's worth the visit.
Not nearly enough has been said about Zeke's uncanny ability not only to seek out talented "nuggets" but to recognize the two most important intangibles of all, character and heart, which qualities every one of our draftees have in great abundance.
Alan you have by far the best blog on the net. Bermans blog is the least credible because of his Marbury pr man act.
Isola also brings a ton of personal bias.
Keep up the great work!
Alan'love your work,style and BB INTELLIGENCE.I take issue with your negative assessmwnt of Nate Robinson,demeaning him because this is only summer BB, fIRST HE IS PLAYING AGAINST EQUALS,IE.FIRSTYR, second yr,europeans and some third yr, role players. Against high draft picks[many much higher than hjimself] he has excelled. Isiah wanted to see him distribute the ball and he has done that much more than last year. Alan this is called growth and yes you are correct he needs to continue, but he has shown a huge step forward in this direction. Alan he is only 23, give him a break. he does not continue to improve then I am wiyh you. But when you see a young man trying hard and improving in the right direction you shoul encourage the positive progress and not put him down because he is not yet a finished product. This applies to Balkman also as you can see his ball habdling has improved immensley[how about that crossover on the fly last night. these are young men on the rise, they are working hard and improving. I appreciate the work and support them both and I feel you shoud do the same unless the stop working hard or stop improving.
Alan,I thought that flagrant foul by Balkman changed the game. It showed me somethng the Knicks have been missing for awhile. Not thuggery, but the fact was he recognized not only that that an impending Dunk may have energized the Warriors and shut the door on a comeback, but that the same player had embarassed Chandler on the last play, followed by a lot of trash talking. Balkman stayed with the play and made him earn those 2 points, of which he missed one of 2. That was playoff mentality, a winner's move. 95% of the players in the NBA would have given up on that breakaway. The Warriors seemed to wilt after that play. He also stood up for his teammate Chandler. He had a huge block later, as he and Nate willed them to that win. That was an Oakley play which I havent seen in what seems like forever. The fact that he calmly looked the other Warriors in the eyes, they could sense that he would do the same thing again if a win was at stake. And not to mess with his guys.
That was the best part,that he had them thinking. Loved it.
Hey I love reading these summer knicks news items!!
The rookies are lookin real goooooddd....
But Alan please explain:
Why an I seeing the same post like 4 times from different people???? It seems odd!
Is this the way people show they agree with a comment??
Playoffs:Eastern conference champs...dude!
Alan, congrats on all the positive feedback. I've been saying for a long time you have the best blog of the NY newspapers. It looks like people are catching on... please keep bringing us the analysis without the nonsense of the other writers.
The conversation following the flagrant foul was not with Josh Powell but Carlos Powell, who played with Balkman at SC. Still, it looked like Carlos wasn't too happy with the foul.
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