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

June 29, 2006
NEWSDAY

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.