Nuggets' Renaldo Balkman Hoping to Turn Around Tough Season
3/04/2010 9:33 PM ET By Chris TomassonDENVER -- At least, Denver Nuggets forward Renaldo Balkman got into a game Wednesday.
Balkman, who has endured a trying season, stepped on the floor for six minutes of fourth-quarter garbage time in the Nuggets' 119-90 win over Oklahoma City -- his first action since Dec. 8.
He signed a three-year, $5 million contract extension last October, locking Balkman up through 2012-13. But he has barely seen the court this season, having microscopic averages of 1.3 points and 2.0 rebounds while getting into just nine games.
It's a season that has included Balkman dealing with legal issues following an arrest on Aug. 22, 2009 in his hometown of Tampa, Fla., on suspicion of drunk driving. He pleaded no contest Jan. 21 to a reduced charge of reckless driving, was fined $500 and $383 in court costs but received a withholding of judification, which means he was not technically convicted of the misdemeanor.
Two weeks after resolving that issue, Balkman got hit in a Feb. 4 practice while posting up guard Ty Lawson. He went down with back spasms and was carted off in a wheelchair/stretcher device.
"I went to the hospital for a couple of hours,'' said Balkman, diagnosed with back strain. "I thought it was real bad.''
His teammates were worried.
"We didn't know quite what had happened,'' said guard Arron Afflalo. "So it was an unfortunate incident. We're glad he's back.''
Balkman missed 11 games before Wednesday, when he scored two points and took advantage of his on-court time to misfire on a trio of three-point attempts. He sat out 41 other games this season due to a coach's decision or being inactive.
Last season, Balkman had some moments for the Nuggets, including a six-game stretch in March during which he averaged 11.5 rebounds. That remained on the minds of Denver's brass when the fourth-year man got a contract extension just before last fall's deadline, preventing him from becoming a restricted free agent next summer.
But Denver head coach George Karl, never enamored with Balkman's practice habits, hasn't used him much this season when he is healthy. Minutes that previously might have gone to Balkman have been given to newly acquired forwards Joey Graham and Malik Allen.
"It is what it is,'' Balkman said. "I do what I do on the court to try to make a difference. ... I just got to get back in the gym, and got to do what I can to get back on the court.''
But at least Balkman said his back -- while still "a factor and not going to get better overnight'' -- is improving. And his legal situation has been resolved.
"That's in the past,'' Balkman said of the case. "I don't think about that.''
Renee Muratti, assistant state's attorney for Florida's Hillsborough Country, said withholding of judification means Balkman was "not technically convicted,'' and the misdemeanor doesn't remain on his record even if it can be seen when documents are viewed. Balkman's co-counsel, Robert Sparks, said his client didn't even get a point on his driver's record.
There have been erroneous reports Balkman received a two-game suspension earlier this season, but Sparks said his client received no penalties from the NBA or the Nuggets, something not disputed by league and team officials. Had Balkman been convicted of driving under the influence, he was at risk to receive a two-game suspension similar to the one Sacramento forward Andres Nocioni was handed by the NBA earlier this week.
"(Any penalty assessed) would have been a travesty of justice,'' said Sparks, who said his client had refused a breathalyzer after being stopped. "There was no evidence Mr. Balkman was impaired or driving under the influence.''
Now, Balkman can concentrate on trying to help the Nuggets down the stretch even if it will be difficult to get many opportunities. Still, it was just one year ago Saturday he pulled down 14 rebounds at Utah.
3/13/2010 9:21 AM
