http://www.prosportsdaily.com/comments/balkman-makes-em-pay-187647.html

Balkman Makes 'em Pay
0 Comment
December 29
New York Post


"Former Knicks first-round pick Renaldo Balkman's big game off the bench as a Nugget yesterday was a double whammy to team president Donnie Walsh. The Knicks are actually paying $500,000 of Balkman's $1.3 million salary this season as part of the trade.

Balkman is still taking the Knicks' money and was still taking down rebounds at the Garden. He hauled in eight boards and scored nine points in 17:51 in Denver's 117-110 victory. Selected by former team president Isiah Thomas with the 21st pick in the 2006 draft, the strong, fast, athletic fan favorite received a nice hand when he checked into the game.

Although Balkman had attributes that fit coach Mike D'Antoni's speedball offense, Walsh shipped him out last summer to Denver in a roster dump, feeling he was not needed. With the roster depleted, Balkman could have been a useful piece, but is happy as a role player on a 20-11 team.

"No hard feelings," Balkman said. "You'll have to ask (the Knicks) why they traded me." "

i never knew we were paying DEN half of Balk's salary in that trade.

Given the luxury tax implications, we still save $2.1 million in trading Balkman and we got an extra draft pick. That is what the deal was about. Given Chandler's development and Walsh's then-belief that DG would be playing, I understand his decision.

Hmm...a guy who can run, rebound, play defense, block a few shots...play faster than his opponent.

Sounds like a guy we could've used.

Balkman would be doing all the things that Jeffries is supposed to be doing a whole lot better and without being injured.

Thank goodness Balkman is gone. He actually wasn't that bad... but extremely overrated on this board. It was getting intolerable listening to. No offense, of course.

Posted by Elite:

that balkman trade was terrible

Why?? What did we actually give up?

Posted by Silverfuel:

Posted by VDesai:

Balkman would be doing all the things that Jeffries is supposed to be doing a whole lot better and without being injured.

Agreed. I never liked the Balkman trade.

Me neither. Even if Walsh didn't want him here, he could have gotten more than a second rounder for him.

Posted by Panos:

Posted by Silverfuel:

Posted by VDesai:

Balkman would be doing all the things that Jeffries is supposed to be doing a whole lot better and without being injured.

Agreed. I never liked the Balkman trade.

Me neither. Even if Walsh didn't want him here, he could have gotten more than a second rounder for him.

that's how i feel too... in effect we traded a former 1st round pick & cash away for a future 2nd round pick, hardly what u would call fair value... it's not like he was a team cancer or bogging down our payroll w/his contract... at the very least i woulda expected to get someone back who could actually play in this system, not sign up some no talent having scrub like Roberson... i really hope we bring in Ewing Jr. soon cuz i think he would provide a lot of what Balkman used to & just like Balkman he will be an instant fan favorite... Roberson needs to be cut as soon as 10 day contracts become an option & we should be scanning every player in the D Leagues for a G who can actually shoot the ball w/some consistency & finish at the rim... a shotblocker would be great too seeing as though we will have another open roster spot once Dinglebury is bought out.

having balkman on the team instead of roberson would probably = at least 3 more wins at this point in the season.