<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Isiah takes ESPN analyst to task NEW YORK -- The surprising play of rookie forward Renaldo Balkman this preseason has Knicks GM/coach Isiah Thomas feeling good. And he's letting ESPN analyst Greg Anthony, a former Knick, hear about it.Still upset over Anthony's draft night criticism after the Knicks selected the unheralded Balkman with the No. 20 pick, Thomas ripped his fellow former point guard Wednesday."This so-called former Knick, on draft night with millions of people watching, had the audacity to take me to task on a player that I'm pretty sure he had never seen before in his life," Thomas said. "But he stands on national television and talks about a kid he has absolutely no idea about. I'm just glad that all of New York doesn't think like Greg Anthony."Thomas went on to question Anthony's credentials as a TV commentator, and even took a slap at his 12-year NBA playing career."Greg Anthony should never ever be in a position to question myself on anything about basketball," Thomas said. "I do remember the kind of player he was. I'll leave it at that.Balkman, a 6-8 forward from South Carolina, has played well during New York's first three exhibition games. He had 11 points and seven boards in 16 minutes against the Nets in his debut, and had nine points, seven rebounds and two steals in 13 minutes in Tuesday night's exhibition win over the Celtics. His hustle and energy even won over the Madison Square Garden crowd, which gave him a rousing ovation as he left the floor.With Balkman off to a good start, Thomas felt free to vent some of his pent-up anger. "This is between Greg and I," Thomas said in a lengthy diatribe about Anthony to the media after the Knicks practice. "The things he said on draft night ... after all the good solid work we had done in the draft ... for him to take that position he took ... I thought he was way way way out of bounds."Thomas , who was booed by the New York crowd and widely panned by other ESPN commentators on draft night, said he was singling out Anthony because of his status as a former Knicks player. He said he hadn't spoken to Anthony, but would love to in the future."I just thought he was very unfair to the Knicks organization," Thomas said. "It would be different had he not worn a Knick uniform. But for a guy who claims to have been a Knick, to treat the Knicks the way he treated us that night ... I know a Piston would never do that. A Celtic would never do that. A Laker would never do that. It wouldn't happen. It just goes to show you what we're dealing with."Thomas went on to refer to Anthony several more times during the remainder of the 15-minute session with reporters, sometimes even on unrelated questions.When asked whether he could see Balkman someday defending LeBron James or Tracy McGrady, Thomas replied, "Wait a minute, hold on now ... you can run him out there but he'll probably get stepped on a little bit ... Unlike Greg Anthony, I do have respect for others."When asked about the Knicks' dismal season a year ago, and what role all the injuries played, Thomas said, "We all were in a funk last year ... Greg Anthony was in a funk."Later, when talking about Balkman's ability to handle the ball, a reporter jokingly asked if he had a better handle than Greg Anthony. "Most definitely," Thomas said. "Greg could only go left."Anthony declined to comment through an ESPN spokesman.</div>LinkI think Thomas will be eating his words before this is over. Anthony was doing his job as an analyst. What was he suppose to do, lie? I believe this will go down as one of the bigger draft day mess ups in recent history. Thomas is taking big time jabs at Anthony. :no3:
I imagine he's just frustrated, because his team sucks. If Balkman doesn't continue this play, then as you said he will be eating his words. He should have just kept his mouth shut.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pjcolpitts? @ Oct 18 2006, 07:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>LinkI think Thomas will be eating his words before this is over. Anthony was doing his job as an analyst. What was he suppose to do, lie? I believe this will go down as one of the bigger draft day mess ups in recent history. Thomas is taking big time jabs at Anthony. :no3:</div> I don't think he would be one of the biggest draft mess-ups in recent history. He was just the 20th pick and for all we know could be a better player than Josh Boone who was selected a few spots ahead of him. We all know that Balkman was completley out of knowhere and probably a wasted pick because of what he did, or didn't do in college. I understand that it's Anthony's job to be an analyst at the draft but I feel he and many others the past 3 years have been completely out of line, they have no doubt darkened a few players dream moments by blasting them over the speakers.
Isiah better hope Balkman continues the success or Isiah will look like the biggest fool ever. (If he hasn't proven that already)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ReppinTheD @ Oct 19 2006, 10:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Isiah better hope Balkman continues the success or Isiah will look like the biggest fool ever. (If he hasn't proven that already)</div> It's only the 20th pick, it's not like Isiah missed out on a hall of famer.
Did we ever know Arenas would be what he is today?Or Redd? W have to wait till we see the future of Balkman he maybe no star but a role player and a hard worker on the defensive end. Everyones comments on Balkman at 20 just may push him to be proven he is worth the pick.But Isiah just has to take it instead of attacking back
people really are getting out of hand with this 20th pick. it's not like it was a lottery pick. I think people only look down on the pick because marcus williams was available. balkman is gonna make everyone forget that dudes name anyway. he's on those scrubs from across the hudson; soon to be across the city.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (nykfan4life @ Oct 19 2006, 06:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>people really are getting out of hand with this 20th pick. it's not like it was a lottery pick. I think people only look down on the pick because marcus williams was available. balkman is gonna make everyone forget that dudes name anyway. he's on those scrubs from across the hudson; soon to be across the city.</div>No one said he was a crappy player. The point was that they could have Marcus Williams AND Balkman. Or they could have had Boone AND Balkman. Or so on. I don't recall the ESPN guys saying, "Man, this is a POS player!" They just said it was a bad pick because they could have just as easily selected him in the second round, which is probably true.
Yeah I agree with Justice. I've stated over and over on this site that its not Balkman is a bad player, its that they still could of had him with thier 30th pick or traded for a 2nd round pick and got him. Throughtout the whole entire season and off season preceding the draft, I NEVER heard from an NBA analyst that Balkman was a hot commodity and that he was a 1st round pick by any means.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Justice @ Oct 19 2006, 07:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>No one said he was a crappy player. The point was that they could have Marcus Williams AND Balkman. Or they could have had Boone AND Balkman. Or so on. I don't recall the ESPN guys saying, "Man, this is a POS player!" They just said it was a bad pick because they could have just as easily selected him in the second round, which is probably true.</div>Yeah I know what you're saying but then you know that the media would be saying this, "why did they draft another pg?". the knicks have enough pg's as it is. if marbury or francis were going to be traded then I would've seen the logic of picking marcus williams.collins is a pg but he can play more than 1 position.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BrewCityBuck @ Oct 19 2006, 04:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>It's only the 20th pick, it's not like Isiah missed out on a hall of famer.</div>The thing is, They could have used the 20th pick on a batter player, If They wanted Balkman im sure he would still be there in the 2nd round.
You guys are bringing up that Marcus Williams was available, your forgetting the best PG that was still left after the 20th pick. Rajon Rondo.
I think thats all Greg Anthony said that why take Balkman when he was probably going to be there with their second pick. Taking Marcus Williams would of been dumb for them because they already have Francis, Marbury, and Robinson.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (nykfan4life @ Oct 19 2006, 07:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Yeah I know what you're saying but then you know that the media would be saying this, "why did they draft another pg?". the knicks have enough pg's as it is. if marbury or francis were going to be traded then I would've seen the logic of picking marcus williams.collins is a pg but he can play more than 1 position.</div>I agree. They don't need another pg. However, you could use that pick to attain a desired pick for someone else, and trade for cash considerations and a second rounder, or whatever. There's a lot of options there.
'Greg Anthony was in a funk." :HAHAHA: Seriously, Though I agree with Isiah. Greg Anthony should not have goe so far. Should not be knocking his formewr team. I mean god dam, show some loyalty. Like Zeke said a former kninck/Laker or Celtic would never have ripped thier team so badly. And if it is true the G.A never looked at the kid before he made those comments, then HE IS A WEINER.I liie the fact that Zeke stood up for himself. Why should he just take the flack off a guy who isn't worthy of carrying his jock.EDIT: Also if they decided that he was something special, why wait and risk him going earlier to another team? They obiously seee something in him that they didn't want to risk missing him. Maybe they got wind of another team wanting him??
Okay, your saying its not right for a player to knock his former team for what they do in the offseason and draft?? Just because he didnt agree with management on this doesn't mean he is knocking his team. If I do remember correctly, Magic Johnson also questioned the selection of Andrew Bynum, but wasnt given any heat. Cant be a hypocrite with this stuff. Remember this is Anthony's job. What is he suppose to do; agree with every single teams pick? Why is it okay for people to question ATL's selection of Williams over Paul, Bowie over Jordan, etc? I dont see this any different. Give Anthony a break on this for crying out loud. I tell you right now that I'd bet that Williams, Rondo, Ager, Boone, Lowery, and Shannon Brown all have better careers than Balkman does. And at that, I'll even put out there that Balkman wont even make All Rookie 2nd team. Also, so what if you pick a point guard with that selection? If you take either Rondo or Williams at least your taking a PURE point guard. A point guard for the future. At this point we can all agree that the Knicks are rebuilding for the future, so picking Balkman isnt going to be a player that comes in and helps win a championship this season. If you pick Rondo or Williams, at least you have a point guard that will be here for years to come.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pjcolpitts? @ Oct 21 2006, 10:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>If I do remember correctly, Magic Johnson also questioned the selection of Andrew Bynum, I tell you right now that I'd bet that Williams, Rondo, Ager, Boone, Lowery, and Shannon Brown all have better careers than Balkman does. And at that, I'll even put out there that Balkman wont even make All Rookie 2nd team.</div>Yes he did, questioned not berated. Anthony berated the knicks, Isiah and Baulkman. Not on. You can say I'm not sure why they chose that guy, but to be as scathing as he was.... disgusting.I bet you would have said that about Michael Redd, Gilbert Arenas,and Rashard Lewis, too. The Knicks obiously saw this kid play...did you? Did you have him over at your house for a pre-draft workout?I'm not saying that he is going to be great, but he made the NBA, that is a moment to celebrate, but instead he was embarressed and made to look stupid in front of the country. I bet No-one did that to Anthony on his draft night.Yes it is his job to ANALYSE - how much analysis does it take to say that someone shouldn't be picked where they were? He should be analysing WHY the knicks wanted him and What do they see that no-one else does.
