<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">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.</div> http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/k...ports-headlines
According to this, they didn't: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">When Isiah Thomas defended his decision to nab defensive South Carolina small-forward defensive specialist Renaldo Balkman at 20 instead of waiting for 29, he said his "due diligence" discovered the Suns were going to take him at either 21 or 27. Sherlock Holmes, Isiah is not. Three sources, including one inside the Suns organization, told The Post yesterday Phoenix was not taking Balkman in the first round and that's not why they traded their picks. One league source who spoke to a Suns official said if Balkman was available at 45, they would have passed.</div>
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">According to this, they didn't:</div> Sounded like B.S. to me too. Thanks for posting this. I wonder why Isiah would speak about another team like that. This is what goes in the moron thread, not the other stuff.
Isiah screws it up even more by lieing about it.....everyone knew the Suns were looking to take a guard or trade out....
Honestly, you have to take both sides with a bit of salt, either side could be lieing, or the newspaper report itself could be lieing, people are trying their best at this point to make Isiah look as bad as possible because he is an easy target, so you have to keep that in mind when reading these type of stories. Newspaper reporters always talk about what a mysterious source says. Isiah sucks, but it is a strong possiblity that the Suns were interested before he took him at 20, think about it, their are alot of rumors that the Suns might have to part ways with Marion to free up money for younger guys like Boris Daiw, that would leave them without that frontline lockdown type of guy that can guard 3men and certain type of 4's this kid is surpose to be that type of player. So he would fit a need.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post">Honestly, you have to take both sides with a bit of salt, either side could be lieing, or the newspaper report itself could be lieing, people are trying their best at this point to make Isiah look as bad as possible because he is an easy target, so you have to keep that in mind when reading these type of stories. Newspaper reporters always talk about what a mysterious source says. Isiah sucks, but it is a strong possiblity that the Suns were interested before he took him at 20, think about it, their are alot of rumors that the Suns might have to part ways with Marion to free up money for younger guys like Boris Daiw, that would leave them without that frontline lockdown type of guy that can guard 3men and certain type of 4's this kid is surpose to be that type of player. So he would fit a need.</div> The thing about it is that Isiah's side simply doesnt make any sense. Why would the Suns want Renaldo Balkman? He simply isnt the kind of player the Suns would be interested, they already have enough forwards and he's not very good anyway. You're right the Suns are interested in saving money and they did just that by trading both their first rounders. They saved themselves about nine million dollars. It's very likely they would have traded both picks regardless of who was on the board since they didnt pick up Marcus Williams who was exactly what they needed(backup point guard for Steve Nash). By the way I'd just like to say I think that was a huge mistake on their part, Nash might not be breaking down but he's not getting any younger either. Besides even if the Suns wanted Renaldo Balkman which they probably didnt for reasons already stated that is no excuse for Isiah to pass up Marcus Williams and draft a late second round guy with the 20th pick. Anyway I think Isiah Thomas should be fired.
It doesn't matter whether Suns wanted him or not. The fact is that Isiah still can't defend passing up much better talent at that pick. This story doesn't explain why Marcus Williams or Jordan Farmar or anybody else is not a Knick right now. Is Balkman really such a can't-miss prospect? Because, being forced to reach for him at that spot can't be justified if he isn't.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting DIRK4L1FE:</div><div class="quote_post">Why didn't New York pick Josh Boone? That's what I'm asking myself.</div> because boone sucks
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheFreshPrince:</div><div class="quote_post">because boone sucks</div> It would have been better than picking Balkman. I'm not high on either of the two, but at least Boone has good size for a power forward and can contribute on the defensive end and pick up a few blocked shots. I'm not sure Balkman can do that, considering he is playing power forward with shooting guard's frame.
true, but i dont understand how either boone, or armstrong got picked in the first round. Need is the ONLY reason hilton should have been a first round pick. Both proved nothing in COLLEGE, except the ability to block some undersized college players. But hey, maybe i'll be wrong
