Posted by crzymdups:

Posted by gunsnewing:

Eddy Curry/Channing Frye/Marbury is not a running team so I don't know where this idea that we're replicating Phoenix is coming from. running 2nd unit maybe

that's a good point - Marbury and Curry are built for a half court game. The offense needs to be opened up within the half court game though - meaning three pt shots allowed and plenty of screen and rolls with Marbury/Craw/Nate and Lee/Frye/Curry.

Posted by BRIGGS:

Posted by efw:

Exhibit A


Isiah Fills Knicks' Biggest Need

GM and coach Thomas goes for defense and picks 6-8 Balkman, 6-6 point guard Collins

BY GREG LOGAN
Newsday Staff Correspondent

June 29, 2006

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Coming on the heels of the Larry Brown fiasco in which Knicks owner James Dolan replaced the Hall of Fame coach with team president Isiah Thomas, the Knicks knew they would take some flak from the crowd attending NBA draft festivities last night at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden.

But when Thomas passed over Connecticut point guard Marcus Williams with the 20th pick to select a sleeper in 6-8 South Carolina small forward Renaldo Balkman, the negative reaction was instantaneous and overwhelming. Boos rained down with such force that Thomas, who was ensconced at the Knicks' Westchester County training facility, must have heard it along with the bashing he took from ESPN's crew of television commentators.

The Knicks had their choice of every point guard except for Villanova's Randy Foye, who was chosen seventh by Boston and eventually dealt to Minnesota. The method to Thomas' madness became a bit more clear when he used their second first-round pick in the 29th spot for 6-6 Temple point guard Mardy Collins, who met with a mixed reaction from the crowd.

Still, the choice of an unknown like Balkman was a head-scratcher. There was some thought the Knicks might go for 6-10 UConn power forward Josh Boone at No. 20, which also would have been a popular pick.

But the winner of the popularity contest last night was Nets president Rod Thorn, who selected both UConn stars, Williams and Boone, with the 22nd and 23rd picks. The Atlantic Division champions filled their two primary needs, a pass-first point guard to back up Jason Kidd and a rebounder and shot-blocker.

At first, it seemed Thomas might have been aced out for the player he really wanted by Indiana president Larry Bird, who fired Thomas as Pacers coach in 2003. The Pacers chose Memphis small forward Shawne .Williams, the athletic wing man most assumed Thomas wanted, with the 17th pick.

But Thomas said Balkman was the guy he wanted all along, and although most thought he would have been available with the 29th pick, Thomas knew Phoenix was set to take Balkman at No. 27. Sure enough, Phoenix traded out of the draft once Balkman was off the board.

"I thought, 'If we take Balkman at No. 20, somebody will drop to us [at No. 29],' " Thomas said last night. "If we didn't get Collins, we had a backup. But Balkman wouldn't have been there at No. 29."

So what was the attraction of a player who received little pre-draft fanfare? "We wanted to get defenders," Thomas said. "We have enough offensive players. We need guys who defend."

If Thomas learned nothing else from Brown in their year together, that one lesson might be worth the $40 million the Knicks owe their former coach. Without a doubt, the Knicks went for what they identified as their greatest need, players capable of defending the top perimeter shooters.

"Balkman is a unique player," Thomas said. "He reminds me of Dennis Rodman and Ron Artest. Mardy Collins is a big guard who can defend. Defensively, we feel you can put those two guys on the floor at and cover [small forward and shooting guard]."

Collins also will present matchup problems for smaller point guards. Although Balkman averaged only 9.6 points as a senior, he averaged 6.3 rebounds and was a selfless performer who was named MVP of South Carolina's NIT victory at the Garden last spring. He also was viewed by many as the MVP of the recent pre-draft camp in Orlando.

Thomas said both are experienced enough to step in right away and contribute just because of their defensive prowess. If that's true, it's something for Knicks fans to cheer.

yeah balkman sound slike a pheonix player cant shoot cant dribble sounds like the kind of player they use in a high scoring offense. Im sure Pheonix told the knicks that Balkman was there pick--hey actually they mightve! its just a horrible pick and he compounds it with his pathological lying phoenix looks for the EXACT opposite type player

Posted by gunsnewing:

Posted by oohah:

Posted by crzymdups:

Posted by gunsnewing:

Eddy Curry/Channing Frye/Marbury is not a running team so I don't know where this idea that we're replicating Phoenix is coming from. running 2nd unit maybe

that's a good point - Marbury and Curry are built for a half court game. The offense needs to be opened up within the half court game though - meaning three pt shots allowed and plenty of screen and rolls with Marbury/Craw/Nate and Lee/Frye/Curry.

Not every player on an uptempo squad has to be a speed demon. Kurt Thomas was doing fine with Phoenix. Eddie Curry can be the last guy down the court as long as he rebounds and kicks the ball out he is doing great.

Channing Frye played his college ball in a running program so we already know he can run. And why can't Marbury play an uptempo game? Is he not fast enough? what is it that would hold him back?

oohah

The fact that he's nearing 30 & has to be on the floor for 40mins a night and asking Curry to rebound and pass is asking for a lot

You might be right about Curry, but Stephon will be EXCELLENT in a fast paced game, mark my words.

oohah

Posted by oohah:

Posted by gunsnewing:

Posted by oohah:

Posted by crzymdups:

Posted by gunsnewing:

Eddy Curry/Channing Frye/Marbury is not a running team so I don't know where this idea that we're replicating Phoenix is coming from. running 2nd unit maybe

that's a good point - Marbury and Curry are built for a half court game. The offense needs to be opened up within the half court game though - meaning three pt shots allowed and plenty of screen and rolls with Marbury/Craw/Nate and Lee/Frye/Curry.

Not every player on an uptempo squad has to be a speed demon. Kurt Thomas was doing fine with Phoenix. Eddie Curry can be the last guy down the court as long as he rebounds and kicks the ball out he is doing great.

Channing Frye played his college ball in a running program so we already know he can run. And why can't Marbury play an uptempo game? Is he not fast enough? what is it that would hold him back?

oohah

The fact that he's nearing 30 & has to be on the floor for 40mins a night and asking Curry to rebound and pass is asking for a lot

You might be right about Curry, but Stephon will be EXCELLENT in a fast paced game, mark my words.

oohah

how well did that work out in Phoenix? Marbury hated D'antoni and his system of running. Playing defense for 40mins is enough of a challenge for him.

[Edited by - gunsnewing on 06-29-2006 01:10 AM]

Posted by PhilinLA:

D'Antoni said he wasn't running them as much when Steph was there.

Posted by gunsnewing:

Posted by PhilinLA:

D'Antoni said he wasn't running them as much when Steph was there.

I wonder why? Maybe because you can't run with Marbury. He tskes plays off on defense in order to last 40mins and get his 20 & 8. The Nets add Jason Kidd and they run out of the building

Posted by gunsnewing:

Posted by Rich:

Posted by gunsnewing:

Posted by nixluva:

You will over the next few years tho.

how many years is that? you don't win in this league with a team made up of a bunch of late 1st round picks. Marbury isn't getting any younger and we're not bringing in or drafting any stars for at least 3yrs

[Edited by - gunsnewing on 06-29-2006 01:14 AM]

Frye and Curry are top of the draft-type talent.

but teams with top draft talent have flexibility we have known. We have overpaid players nobody wants for the next 3yrs. Unless we're trading Frye

Goin' for 10,000!

GO! GO! GO! GO!


oohah

Posted by gunsnewing:

Posted by Rich:

Posted by gunsnewing:

Posted by nixluva:

You will over the next few years tho.

how many years is that? you don't win in this league with a team made up of a bunch of late 1st round picks. Marbury isn't getting any younger and we're not bringing in or drafting any stars for at least 3yrs

[Edited by - gunsnewing on 06-29-2006 01:14 AM]

Frye and Curry are top of the draft-type talent.

but teams with top draft talent have flexibility we have known. We have overpaid players nobody wants for the next 3yrs. Unless we're trading Frye

Cap flexibility is a problem. I thought there was hope on the horizon if they didn't make the J Rose and especially the Francis trade. Cap-wise that was a killer. We can only hope that Isiah can rehabilitate his value and then move him.

Renaldo Balkman continued to help his draft stock considerably with the energy he showed and the versatility he’s brought to the table here in Orlando.

Balkman was hustling all over the place from the minute he stepped out on the floor, being all over the place both offensively and defensively and doing everything humanly possible to help his team. He was on or around every single loose both whether it was by getting in the passing lanes or hitting the offensive glass, igniting the fast break at times on his own with his above average ball-handling skills and being quicker and more motivated than anyone else on the floor to prove himself. He had two excellent blocks today, one on the perimeter on a switch, and a number of offensive numbers that he occasionally converted into a made basket before anyone could react. He didn’t show any resemblance of an outside shot, but still managed to use his slithery quickness to get to the basket and score either with a layup or an emphatic dunk.

All in all, Balkman has a legit case to be considered MVP of the entire pre-draft camp, and a likely draft pick should he decide to stay in. Sources in Orlando claim that he’s already picked an agent and will announce that fact in the coming days once he gets a final read on his draft stock.

Posted by Killa4luv:



Renaldo Balkman

Renaldo Balkman continued to help his draft stock considerably with the energy he showed and the versatility he’s brought to the table here in Orlando.

Balkman was hustling all over the place from the minute he stepped out on the floor, being all over the place both offensively and defensively and doing everything humanly possible to help his team. He was on or around every single loose both whether it was by getting in the passing lanes or hitting the offensive glass, igniting the fast break at times on his own with his above average ball-handling skills and being quicker and more motivated than anyone else on the floor to prove himself. He had two excellent blocks today, one on the perimeter on a switch, and a number of offensive numbers that he occasionally converted into a made basket before anyone could react. He didn’t show any resemblance of an outside shot, but still managed to use his slithery quickness to get to the basket and score either with a layup or an emphatic dunk.

All in all, Balkman has a legit case to be considered MVP of the entire pre-draft camp, and a likely draft pick should he decide to stay in. Sources in Orlando claim that he’s already picked an agent and will announce that fact in the coming days once he gets a final read on his draft stock.