The Knicks Thread....

After the analysts praised Thomas for drafting the best talent available, they drafted Balkman.

I think thats not too bad of a player. He fills a need but there was much more that they could've gotten.

I think Mardy Collins is a sleeper in the draft. He's a big point guard and even though he doesn't have amazing quickness or blowby speed, he's legnth makes up for it. He was criticized for his average athleticism, but honestly, how many Rodney Carneys are you going to find in a draft?

Collins is one of my favourites this draft, but its a shame he got picked on a team that is stacked full of guards.

I have some confidence in Mardy Collins, a 6'5-6'6 point guard. The reason I do is because he's a pass first (though not near the calibre as Marcus Williams) and he'll come off the bench and play with Nate Robinson. Nate is a SG in a PGs body, so Mardy will be able to match up defensively against the bigger guards while running the point on offense.

But still...Balkman? He was easily a 2nd rounder. Heck, they coulda got Williams and him cuz Lord knows nobody else was gonna pick him in the first round. Hell, some analysts said he probably could've gone undrafted or not have got signed. Sure he's a good defender and hustler but...20th? *Walks out room crying*.

I agree with you on Collins, but Balkman? A 6'6 PF/SF? He averaged sub-10 points and 6 rebounds on South Carolina team. He's not an athletic freak. He's a good defender, but that's probably it. Where will he play? When will he play? I can't see him or Collins getting minutes over Marbury, Francis, Robinson, Richardson, Crawford (although they should). You do that, someone will go even more locos. I can't wait to 06/07 season to begin .

Well i'm sure one thing is certain. The Knicks won't have the current slew of players at the beginning of the season.

Just noticed how IT is trying to convince everybody how the Suns would grab Balkman@#21. Really? The Sarver Suns? The Suns who didn't want to spend less than a million $ for a legit Nash backup/successor (Williams/Rondo)? Those Suns? Yeah, they were already looking forward to draft Renaldo frikking Balkman and then just kinda gave up and traded their picks for chips and fries out of protest. I don't buy it.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba;_ylt=Aq3txc ... Hr0BE5nYcB

Poll – Who was the draft's biggest loser?
POR Isiah SEA


lol everyone is getting on Isiah case.. i hope he proves everyone wrong

The Knicks fans at RealGM are trying to make themselves feel better about this by telling everyone that Balkman is 6'8 and ignoring all of the pre-draft measurements

I agree I would like to see him prove everyone even if he is a complete idiot. Look at the players he passed up on - Rondo, Williams, Farmar.

The Knicks fans at RealGM are trying to make themselves feel better about this by telling everyone that Balkman is 6'8 and ignoring all of the pre-draft measurements

I love reading RealGM and their homeric attacks. They also say Balkman is the next Rodman (he averaged 6 rebounds per game in his junior year. Now, is that something Rodman would do?) and that he can defend PFs@at 6'6 and 215 pounds. Not to mention Collins is the next big thing and that the talent they got at #20 and #29 is not much worse than that in the Lottery. So, a smaller Rodman without rebounding? I wonder where Isiah sleeps so someone doesn't steal him.

You can't deny the talent of Mardy Collins. But Balkman was a horrible pick, I just can't say it isn't even though I'd like too.

Those Knicks fans at RealGM must be these kinda "dudes"

man.. everytime i read this thread, there's always at least one post ripping on some facet of the NYK organization.

i feel pity for NYK fans. it was like this for a while in Chicago

Gotta love the Knicksfans on RealGM. The latest absurdity i read was that Balkman not only is the new Rodman. Nono.

He's Rodman and Artest, but with more versatility. You know, since he'll play PF aswell.

the Balkman pick over Marcus Williams reminds me of the Fredric Weis pick over Ron Artest I love the Knicks' picks

if Isiah really wanted those 2 guys then pick Mardy Collins at 20 & Balkman at 29....still not great, but at least it doesn't seem so bad....

Gotta love the Knicksfans on RealGM. The latest absurdity i read was that Balkman not only is the new Rodman. Nono.

He's Rodman and Artest, but with more versatility. You know, since he'll play PF aswell.

Well, lets see...

So I was talking to myself on the subway, asking myself if I would trade Balkman for Tyrus Thomas, and I replied to myself no I wouldn't. Am I crazy or would other people here not trade Balkman for Tyrus?

And of course, Suns would have passed on Balkman if he was available@#45.

So I was talking to myself on the subway, asking myself if I would trade Balkman for Tyrus Thomas, and I replied to myself no I wouldn't. Am I crazy or would other people here not trade Balkman for Tyrus?

I saw that, absolutely ridiculous.

Knicks fans remind me of NBA live fans..

Knicks fans remind me of NBA live fans..

Blow every little good thing way outta proportion so it weighs more than the 100s of bad things?

I have to say Knicks fans, the Balkman pick was the highlight of the draft for me.

Its one thing to take him in the second round when you know he'll be there.

Its another thing to take him in the first round with your SECOND of two first rounders.

But to take him with the first one??? Hilarious. Absolutely hilarious.

I have to say Knicks fans, the Balkman pick was the highlight of the draft for me.

Its one thing to take him in the second round when you know he'll be there.

Its another thing to take him in the first round with your SECOND of two first rounders.

But to take him with the first one??? Hilarious. Absolutely hilarious.

you're just glad Isiah got run out of your town a few years back

you're just glad Isiah got run out of your town a few years back

You have noooo idea...

Gotta love the Knicksfans on RealGM. The latest absurdity i read was that Balkman not only is the new Rodman. Nono.

He's Rodman and Artest, but with more versatility. You know, since he'll play PF aswell.

That's what the NYK PR have been hyping about even during the draft. Balkman is a cross between Artest and Rodman.
I don't know whether that's a good or bad thing.

Knicks youngsters rip style of former coach Brown
He can't bench them now.

New York papers reported Thursday that a number of New York Knicks players ripped their former coach, Larry Brown, for the way he handled the team last season.


Brown and the players had been under a gag order while Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan and Knicks president Isiah Thomas worked out the former coach's departure. Players were free to talk Wednesday from their summer league practice in Las Vegas.

"Coach Brown is so old-school," point guard Nate Robinson told the New York Post. "He wants everything done just like this, not getting the crowd involved. Isiah wants everyone to have fun.

"At first he [Brown] was trying to take my joy [away] -- don't do this, don't do that. At the same time I had people in my corner saying, 'Don't ever change who you are. You got here by being who you are. By being Nate Robinson,'" he said.

Robinson was one of three prominent rookies on the roster last season whose playing time fluctuated wildly.

"Toward the end of the season it was so up and down," another of the rookies, forward David Lee, told the Post. "I told myself when I get on the floor just make the most of the opportunity because I didn't really understand what was going on.

"I didn't ask too many questions," added Lee, who went in and out of the starting lineup. "I couldn't figure out what was going on. It's a lot easier to play when you know what's expected out of you. I think things will change that way and people will have a better idea of what they're supposed to do."

Forward Channing Frye, who showed the most promise among the first-year players by averaging 12.3 points and 5.7 rebounds, told the Daily News that last season was "a giant circus" and that Thomas has provided "positive reinforcement" since he's taken the coaching reins.

Reached for comment by the Post, Brown said, "I'm not getting into any of that. I'm just trying to move on with my life."

All was not rosy with the Knicks on Wednesday, however. Surprise first-round pick Renaldo Balkman, a defensive-minded forward out of South Carolina, sat out the practice session with a sprained left knee. He suffered the injury in Tuesday's practice.

if theres one positive about larry brown leaving its the young guns can play to there potential.. look how much larry brown held back Darko. he wasnt even playing the dunk champion and probably the best player in the pac-10 Nate robinson when he played for the huskies. i cant wait for Blazers vs Knicks. Brandon Roy vs Nate Robinson. anyways he should start over fools like marbury and francis.

"Coach Brown is so old-school," point guard Nate Robinson told the New York Post. "He wants everything done just like this, not getting the crowd involved. Isiah wants everyone to have fun.

"At first he [Brown] was trying to take my joy [away] -- don't do this, don't do that. At the same time I had people in my corner saying, 'Don't ever change who you are. You got here by being who you are. By being Nate Robinson,'" he said.

Well ... I don't want to defend Larry Brown here, cause it seems he really messed that team up (Isiah's to blame too, but thats another discussion) ... but someone should tell this kid, that a coach with 3 decades of head coaching experience might have the right to tell a 22year old kid what to do and what not to do ...

Sheesh, don't get those kids taught respect anymore these days?

I agree. Normally I'm not too fond of Brown, but when you act like a spoiled brat and don't even consider the advice of a coach with winning credentials, you don't deserve to play.

Isiah's Already Eyeing Playoffs

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baske ... 4952c.html