03-18-2008, 01:30 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Sexy Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 11,462
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Knicks Getting Less From Once Promising Balkman
Quote:
Renaldo Balkman looked ready for a breakout season, one that would validate his selection by the Knicks in 2006 - a pick that was widely panned at the time.
It has not worked out that way.
The second-year forward has regressed this season, averaging 3.1 points in 13.7 minutes per game. Balkman averaged 4.9 points in 15.6 minutes off the bench last season, often energizing the Knicks with his frantic style and quickly becoming a Garden favorite.
What happened? Not surprisingly - these are the Knicks - different stories emerge.
"Probably more so than anyone, I think he's been affected by the injuries in terms of little nagging injuries," said coach Isiah Thomas, who theoretically has a vested interest in Balkman after being criticized for taking him with the 20th overall pick in the 2006 draft.
"He's such a frenetic player in terms of using his athleticism, and when he doesn't have his feet underneath him or he's got a hamstring or back, it really affects him more than others. I like the way he's playing when he's healthy."
Balkman, however, has not been on the injured list all season and the Knicks have not announced him as being hurt, other than the stress reaction injury in his right ankle that kept him out during the preseason.
Balkman did not express frustration with the yo-yo manner in which he's been used this season - double-digit minutes some nights, low single digits on others - but he didn't mention anything about lingering injuries, either.
"I'm just two years in the league," the typically amiable Balkman said yesterday after practice. "I'm playing behind a lot of veterans. Whenever he calls my name, I just try and give it my all. If he doesn't call my name, I still cheer my team on. That's what it's about."
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http://www.newsday.com/sports/basket...0,856706.story
Stop hanging out at Mars 2112 and smoking weed, and drinking all night long and PRACTICE!
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Knicks Getting Less From Once Promising Balkman
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