Hustling in Greenburgh - Friday Pre-Draft Workouts
By Tom Kertes

GREENBURGH, NY, May 26, 2006 -- Larry Brown and Isiah Thomas “were completely cool, acting comfortably around each other” and were, in fact, “in deep conversation when I left the court,” reported Siena guard Antoine Jordan after the Knicks concluded their third NBA Draft player workout on Friday. Jordan was both exhausted and elated -- yes, outside of the “Page Six” stuff, there IS some very serious business going on inside the gym at the team’s Madison Square Garden Training Center. “This was the best workout I’ve had yet,” gasped Jordan. “And the most competitive. We didn’t shoot the ball as much. Instead, we worked hard, did more two-on-two stuff than anywhere else, listened a lot, and learned a lot.” “Just having the opportunity to work out for a guy like Coach Brown is like a childhood dream come true,’’ added 6-8 South Carolina forward Renaldo Balkman.

Balkman, the MVP of the NIT Tournament last year, and Jordan worked out along with 6-10 Brazilian center/forward Marcus DeSousa and Villanova guard Allan Ray. “Coach Brown is an older guy so he has more experience than most people out there,” said Ray. “He was very hands-on with us -- and he’s obviously a man I can learn a lot from. So I was definitely listening hard out there.”

“I see my task right now as showing people things that perhaps they haven’t seen that much from me yet,” added the 6-2 Ray. “And that’s penetrating the lane and making plays for other guys. At my size, I’ve got to show my point guard skills.” Villanova, of course, ran a unique four-guard offense last season, just about forcing every single Wildcat to become very much an all-around player. “That’s been a great help,” acknowledged Ray. “To play for Coach (Jay) Wright, you have to have a lot of heart, play with fire, and bee able to do it all.”

Ray, who is superbly quick and athletic, might be available when the Knicks will make their selections on draft day. “Yeah, I hear late first (round), early second,” he smiled. “But, to be honest with you, I’m trying very much NOT to pay attention to that. I’ve got to concentrate at the task at hand.” Still, after growing up as an enormous Knicks fan in the Bronx -- “I’ve got my heart broken a lot of times against Michael Jordan and the Bulls,” he says -- playing here would be special. “I would love to play here in front of my friends and family. That would be totally awesome,” Ray said.

Balkman, who has raised his level of play to never-before-seen heights in the NIT Final Four, couldn’t agree more. “I know the streets of New York and I LOVED playing at the Garden,” he intoned in his pleasant basso profundo. “Man, that place was magic. It inspired me to do things on the floor I never even knew I was able to do.” Balkman, who’s often been called “a poor man’s (Dennis) Rodman,” takes that comparison as a great compliment. “Sure,” he smiles. “Sometimes I feel I’m just like him. I like to go out there, play hard, do whatever it takes to win, running the floor, hitting the boards, jump into the stands, cause havoc, whatever.”

“That extra energy and hustle is the key to my making the league,” added Balkman. “I fully realize that.”

Siena has “never had a player in the NBA, at least not as far I know,” smiled the 6-4 Jordan who averaged an impressive 17.5 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists a game at the MAAC school. “So just making it would be a great achievement, a really amazing accomplishment for me. That’s what I’m shooting for. I’ve always been a huge John Starks fan, even to the point of maybe playing a little bit like him. I admire his hustle, his ability to overcome all the odds, and I love his style.”

“So, yes, while I’d love to make the league playing anywhere, the Garden would be an ideal home for me. Among other things, I could learn from John. And that would really be some kind of experience.”

would love to hear how Marquinhos did

Pre-draft Worthouts???????? yeah maybe we can draft the next Dante Jones with the 20th over pick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!