i know its only preseason but this guy needs to play with Jeffries out. I have to give credit to Isiah for taking him when EVERYONE says he should have been taken in the second round. He is exactly the kind of player that winning teams have. He is all heart and hustle and the knicks havent had a player like him in a long time. Isiah Thomas should never ever be questioned again when its comes to drafting and evaluating talent. Marcus is the prettier pick and prob will have a good career, but the knicks were loaded with guards already and desperatly needed a player like Balkman. The way that guys plays the game is the what the Knicks of old used to be all about.

Posted by MisterClutch:

i know its only preseason but this guy needs to play with Jeffries out. I have to give credit to Isiah for taking him when EVERYONE says he should have been taken in the second round. He is exactly the kind of player that winning teams have. He is all heart and hustle and the knicks havent had a player like him in a long time. Isiah Thomas should never ever be questioned again when its comes to drafting and evaluating talent. Marcus is the prettier pick and prob will have a good career, but the knicks were loaded with guards already and desperatly needed a player like Balkman. The way that guys plays the game is the what the Knicks of old used to be all about.

AGREE 100% I really wonder sometimes what it will take for people to trust Isiah when it comes to young talent. He may not be the best at making trades, but when it comes to having an eye for talent he's one of the best, along with his staff.

Balkman just made sense. I understood where he was going with this draft and I think he had a CLEAR idea of the kind of players he wants on this team. It may not always seem like it on draft day, but he's made some nice picks. I LOVE Balkman's energy and sense of the game. He's always around the ball.

Not so much having this kid figured out, but he brings a lot of enthusiasm, enrgy and hustle to the floor. Something all the haters were complaining about last year. You don't have to have set plays for him. Let Balkman go and he will score points in the system. Let Balkman go and let him get a couple of steals, blocks whatever. We needed players like him. He fits in perfectly with Lee, NateRob and Frye. Why would you have a problem with that???

Posted by Nalod:

Posted by tapseer:

Not so much having this kid figured out, but he brings a lot of enthusiasm, enrgy and hustle to the floor. Something all the haters were complaining about last year. You don't have to have set plays for him. Let Balkman go and he will score points in the system. Let Balkman go and let him get a couple of steals, blocks whatever. We needed players like him. He fits in perfectly with Lee, NateRob and Frye. Why would you have a problem with that???

No problem! He makes more sense than drafting a guard.

but typical fashion we see a glimpse and we getting all pumped about the kid like we did with Reezy.

Let him work himself in.

Typical fashion in that what is obvious to the eye is a high energy young player as last years crop was. Of course anyone that says as much is probably a homer and drinking the sugar water...Typically.

Balkman rocks.

Posted by BRIGGS:

I think he has earned more minutes. I would not throw him into that starting 3, I like him with Lee Nate and the resurgent Q. Jalen is making a LOT of money, I think he can step up for 15-18 minutes a night. I wouldnt mind trolling around to see if a team is interested in Mardy Collins for a young athletic 3 player.

Jalen has no value in the system IT is trying to play. He is big minus and it is suicidal to play him.
It's is not good for his value (if he still has one) too. He looks old and lazy around the hustle gs like Lee, Balkman, Jeffres, Q.
IT should have mercy and do not play him

Posted by VDesai:

When we drafted this guy, I told you guys that he was exactly the kind of player we needed and that you would all love him right away. Looks like this is coming true.

Yeah, you did.

Jalen might be decent to keep around in case of an emergency. Again, I think he, like Francis and Marbury aren't exactly going all out at this point. These guys know it's a marathon and these warm-up games are just that for them.

Posted by EnySpree:

Look at the control in this dudes handle......did you get a hard on?

Eny, I love the passion, but I don't know about that question dude -- have you been chillin' with Bonn3P0?

I think in six months people will be saying IT is a genius for picking Balkman and other GMs will be saying they were going to get him before pick 29. The kid can really play. The only thing that will hold him back is whether his offense develops. If he can add a consistent jumpshot (and FT shooting) to his game, he will be unstoppable because he can already drive by his man. This season is still early, but this could be the year that IT is redeemed and all his moves are proven right (or at the very least, proven not to be as wrong as originally thought).

I saw last night's game a bit...Balkman can ball. The guy has handles. He is ALWAYS around the ball and making the hustle plays. This kid deserves 10-15 mpg right now. Last night in 15, he had 8 pts and 7 rebs! Curry does not get 7 reb in a game!

As for the Ariza comparisons, please stop them. Balkamn is better right now.