http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_23251.shtml

One-On-One: Renaldo Balkman
by Tommy Beer
for HOOPSWORLD.com

Renaldo Balkman had a huge smile on his face as he put on his jersey for the 2007 Wheelchair Charities NY All-Star Basketball Classic taking place at MSG on Sunday afternoon.

Anytime a gym rat such as Balkman gets to suit up and get some run inside the world's most famous arena, it is always something to look forward to. But not only was Renaldo going to spend some time on the Madison Square Garden hardwood, by doing so he would participating in a charity game that benefits a great cause.

The “All-Star Classic” started back in 1991, with all proceeds from the games earmarked for Wheelchair Charities, Inc. Wheelchair Charities, Inc, founded by Henry J. (Hank) Carter in 1973, is a non-profit organization, which assists in-patients and out-patients at Goldwater Memorial Hospital on Roosevelt Island. The previous “Classics” have raised more than $1.6 million, which has been put towards the purchase of motorized wheelchairs, computers, televisions, specialized beds and specially equipped buses. Wheelchair Charities’ mission has been to improve the quality of life for paraplegic and quadriplegic patients at Goldwater Memorial Hospital for rehabilitation.

The event is organized in large part by the efforts of Queens native Ron Artest, who has known Hank Carter since he was child. This year's game featured the likes of Artest, Balkman, Adrian Griffin, Andre Barrett, Stephen Jackson, and Sam Cassell.

Tommy Beer of HOOPWORLD sat down with Renaldo prior to tip-off and discussed offseason workouts, playing time, and his role on the 2007-2008 Knicks.


Being back in the Garden for the first time in a few months, even though it's just an exhibition game, does it feel special to get back here? Especially knowing that the season is right around the corner...

It feels great to be back home, man. And plus today we are playing in a charity game that will help out kids and the less fortunate, so that is a great thing all around.

How did you get involved with this organization and today’s game? Did Ron Artest contact you directly?

Yeah, Ron contacted me last summer and I played in the game last year. And it was great, so I thought I would love to do it again.

During the offseason, have you been working on anything specifically? Any part of your game in particular?

Yeah – my confidence actually. And I also have been working hard on my general, all-around game so I can be prepared for this upcoming season in ’07-’08.

You played well in Las Vegas (Knicks were undefeated, 5-0), was that something that you can use to build confidence heading into October and November?

Well, Summer League is more for working on your game and developing your skills, more so than wins and losses. Then after the league ends you have a better feel of what you need to improve upon. And then you have the rest of the summer to works on those areas of your game that still need improvement.

With the addition of Zach Randolph, there is a bit of log jam up front. And the small forward position in particular is deep. Any concern about playing time and finding minutes during the season?

Honestly, playing time really doesn’t matter to me. I don’t even have to play at all, as long as we are winning. As long as we play together as a team, and we win, and the New York Knicks are on top, that is all that matters.

Do you feel you are more suited to play small forward or power forward, or is that something you don’t concern yourself with?

To be honest, I’d like to play wherever I fit in. Wherever I can help this team win, that is what is most important.

Have you been spending anytime at the Knicks training facility this summer? Have any of your teammates been around there also?

Yeah, we have been putting some time in and getting ready. Some guys have been in a lot already, but now, for the most part, everybody is starting to get back in the building and everybody is getting ready to roll.

The Knicks have plenty of scorers on the roster, do you feel comfortable in a role where you contribute mostly defense, energy, and hustle?

Yeah, I mean, for the most part I am considered a defensive stopper. I don’t really care about scoring at all. I just go out there and play defense and I hope my teammates can score for me. To me that’s great, because scoring is not something I care too much about.



***

Renaldo spent the next hour or so pounding down countless dunks of all varieties: windmills, double-pumps, and enough alley-oops to make to the guys at AND 1 blush. For the Knicks fan in attendance who thoroughly enjoyed the show, it was just precursor the excitement they hope Balkman will bring to the Garden on a nightly basis starting in November.

Nice interview. I think he's been a pleasant surprise even to people who didn't complain about his being picked ahead of Marcus Williams.

I agree that point guard is still an issue especially since Marbury is our oldest player who starts or gets regular minutes. But at the time, defense was our biggest issue. We were coming off a season where our d was one of the worst in the league. Williams had some character issues and is considered weak on defense. Also his shooting was questionable. He shot just under 40% last season - not too bad considering he was a rookie and 28% from the arc. His asst/to ration was under 2:1. Balkman, on the other hand, was a good defensive player and rebounder - not just for his position. So while it's too early to say for sure, I feel confident that we got the better player.

The question in my mind is not whether Williams will be a better player than Balkman when all is said and done, but whether Williams will be a better player than Mardy Collins. Anyway, considering our drafting position in 2006, I'm very happy with the results of our draft.

Ira - Eddy Curry was in Atlanta for a Hawks workout the week before he signed with the Knicks. He was featured in a few interviews and then left town after 2 days.

Whether the Hawks were serious is anyone's guess. But given their problemmatic center position, I would venture he got a long look. They also had plenty of assets.

(btw Ira - your writing is well-conceived... you write professionally?)

Martin - Eddy received a decent amount of fanfare in Atlanta. His visit was covered on the news and the reports were his workout went well. Then, after the second day, he left town. My sense is negotiations were either not creative or brisk enough to suit the Bulls or someone stepped in with a better offer.

Bear in mind the Hawks are run by committee and fought over the Joe Johnson deal to the point of millitary coup.

you snooze, you lose

Martin - don't know. My point was only to mention that another team acted with interest and brought Eddy in for a 2-day interview/workout. His heart issue had to scare potential teams.

Forget basketball. I hope the young man maintains good health for the long-term