Back for more. I was thinking about similar players to Balkman (physical size, style of play). Right now, I basically see him as a "power" small forward, 6'7-6'8" instinctive, defensive oriented player... there are rumors of his ball handling, passing, and decision making skills, but that has yet to be determined at the NBA level. I've listed their relative draft positions:

Kenny Walker (#5) - Similar size--- claim to fame - big hair, and those incredible dunks - I'd be sad if this was it for Balkman, but he certainly had a long playing career
Shane Battier (#6) - Does everything a coach can ask for, except be a star (tho he did a pretty good impression of a star on the rise in his rookie year).
George Lynch (#12) - I couldn't believe he was drafted this highly. Journeyman tweener-forward defender; I think Balkman is quicker and more skilled on offense
Anthony Bonner (#23) - similarly unrefined game based on hustle - his NBA career was somewhat derailed by random injuries
Andre Kirilenko (#24) - He was a huge surprise as a rookie, and has continued to add new elements to his game, though few would consider Balkman to having similar inherent skill level (AK47 seemingly didn't know how to do anything but play defense until his 3rd season)
*Jerome Williams (#26) - I think he's actually the best comparison. He was comparably unskilled (even later in his career!), but made the most of everything he had with all-out hustle.

2nd rounders:
Dennis Rodman (#27) - Say what? Back in 1986, pick #27 WAS IN THE 2ND ROUND.
*Ruben Patterson (#31) - Another strong upside comparison for Balkman.
Antonio Davis (#38) - remember him early in his career w/ Indiana ("one of the Davis brothers"? He was an unskilled, energy tweener forward. He seemingly grew a lot bigger in Toronto and beyond
Eduardo Najera (#38) - Less athletic, but I'd be satisfied if he was another Najera

Undrafted:
Bo Outlaw - Here's another reasonable upside player comparison. Considering how raw he was early in his career, it's amazing he's still in the NBA! Now he's a summer/celebrity league triple double threat every game. :)


Overall, I'd say nearly all of these comparisons I've listed deserved to retroactively be 1st round picks, most of them not stars, but still solid rotation players, and many of them even regular starters.

good post (even though some of these guys are mich bigger & PFs)....you obviously put some thought into it

I think Jerome Williams/Ruben Patterson is a good comparison from what I've seen and read. The Battier thing occured to me and that would be great if he was that heady and versatile. We'll have to see.

Isiah gets rid of Jerome Williams. Now he drafts a low-skill, hustle player at 20. Why didn't Isiah just retain JYD if he felt we had a need for this type of player? We have to pay his salary anyway...

Posted by VDesai:

I've been saying Jerome Williams.

Only reason I think the JYD comparisons are off-JYD was bigger and stronger although the games are similiar. My comparison is what Josh Howard was his first year, a hustle guy and great defender as a 2/3.

Posted by unstopaball12:

i think he has jyd energy and rodman rebounding ability!!!and the body of ron artest!!plus the hair of JAMISON brewer

Not to mention he drinks Red Bull, which gives him wings... he can fly.

Posted by unstopaball12:

i think he has jyd energy and rodman rebounding ability!!!and the body of ron artest!!plus the hair of JAMISON brewer

LMAO!

I thought Jerome was a little heavier, but weight doesn't equal strength (see Earl Boykins, Mugsy Bogues...Earl is one of the strongest guys in the league and Bogues was real strong too).

Josh is now able to defend mobile 4's, I think RB may do it eventually, but not now.

We're used to seeing the "veteran" versions of all of these players. The Georgetown college JYD was significantly scrawnier one than the "twilight of his career" guy we saw w/ the Knicks (that guy was prolly more along the lines of 230-250). Weight adds strength, but takes away from sheer athleticism after a certain point. (think back to Artest in his freshman vs sophomore seasons @ St. John's)

When a lot of the players I listed were rookies, they were fresh off being measured shorter than listed in their respective pre-draft camps. They then "grew" into their w/ shoe heights (who ever really thought Hakeem was a 7 footer when he stood in the shadows of countless other centers heightwise'?).

Height varies somewhat by time of day (really, time standing or sitting up), so sometimes you get different measured heights at these draft camps (remember David Lee's height differed by an inch at different pre-draft events). You're taller right after you get up in the morning vs the end of the day after a lot of standing/sitting up. (soft tissue compression)

With the strength thing, it's still kind of a relative. While Boykins could probably bench press 400lbs 10 times, and Sweetney could probably do it zero times, we're also dealing with leverage issues and distance. Sweetney's arms are like 2x the length of Boykins!
Long limbed players tend to be at a disadvantage at these type of tests... but hey, they're basketball players, not pro-weight lifters.

Balkman has solid SF size, but his rugged nature makes it seem like he'd be able to handle PFs in some situations.

[Edited by - technomaster on 07-01-2006 2:54 PM]

You're taller right after you get up in the morning vs the end of the day after a lot of standing/sitting up. (soft tissue compression)

That gives me a good excuse to sleep all day!

im hoping he turns out like gerald wallace on the bobcats... defense.. energy.. steals, blocks... athletic...but a real difference maker