| Learning On The Fly Authored by Moritz Wollert - April 4, 2007 - 8:44 pm
| Current Featured Columns | | Final Thoughts On The 2008 NBA Draft This year's draft was decidedly more calm and casual than the Oden/Durant showdown, which made for a more candid and personal experience.
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Oh Danny Boy
Danny Granger, who has just three years of NBA experience under his belt, will undoubtedly be the man in Indiana beginning this summer.
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$10 Million For Five Players?
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Raptorland’s New Carnivore
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Renaldo Balkman has left a good impression in his first year as a pro. Even when his minutes have been inconsistent, he has always found ways to provide a spark off the bench and help his team in one way or the other. Regarded as a defensive specialist by many, he also opened eyes with his outstanding play in the open court, which has earned him quite a few mentions in NBA highlight videos this season. His weaknesses in the halfcourt though, which are highlighted by his suspect outside shot and shaky handle, didn't fit in well with the Knicks original gameplan - pounding the ball inside to emerging center Eddy Curry and developing their attack from there.
Same can be said for Collins, as he has also struggled with his outside shot for most of his rookie campaign. He even saw much less minutes than Balkman since the New York backcourt was crowded by well known names as Stephon Marbury, Steve Francis or Jamal Crawford. Temple alumni Collins did his best though to impress coaches, teammates and fans and he relied on something which was a constant emphasis during his college career under former Owls coach John Chaney: Tough, physical and hard nosed defense. Standing 6-6 tall, Collins bothered opponents with his long arms and his ability to defend three positions. But his outstanding work on the defensive end didn't earn him minutes until the Knicks lost up to a handful of players to injuries.
The long list of late season injuries for the Knickerbockers includes backcourt performers Jamal Crawford (ankle stress fracture), Quentin Richardson (chronic back problems) and Steve Francis (knee and foot problems). All of a sudden the Knicks once crowded backcourt was down to team leader Stephon Marbury and second-year player Nate Robinson. Isiah Thomas was forced to use his rookies more from that point on.
The Knicks' record has gone down since they were hit by the injuries (4-9 since both Richardson and Crawford have been out together) but the play of the two rookies certainly hasn't been a reason for that. In fact, both Collins and Balkman have responding superbly to their increased minutes and they are showing everyone why Isiah Thomas made them first round picks in last year's NBA Draft.
Balkman cracked the regular rotation after Quentin Richardson re-injured his back in Atlanta. The former South Carolina Gamecock responded with 8.0 points per game (63 .7 FG%), 6.2 rebounds per game and 1.23 steals per game in 23.85 minutes per contest. It was quite a jump for Balkman who barely averaged 14 minutes before March.
Mardy Collins became part of the Knicks regular team after Steve Francis went down with an ankle injury. In his last five games, Collins is averaging 28.4 minutes per game, 7.0 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, 3.0 assists per game and 1.4 steals per game. Not that impressive of numbers, some people might think but considering this is the first extended action both players are getting in the NBA, their improvement is remarkable.
But numbers aren't even telling the whole story about the latest development of both players. It's not their stats or even their points that stand out, it's their all around game and their defense. On a team that has struggled for years now to become a capable defensive squad, both Collins and Balkman stand out with their overall awareness on defense, their nose for the ball and for their outstanding positioning defensively. Terms like these seemed like rocket science for some of their teammates in recent years, yet for Balkman and Collins who both gained a lot of experience throughout their college careers it seems like business as usual on the court.
Even though Balkman has become a highlight reel of his own lately, it's the simple and little plays that truly tell the story about him and his fellow rookie. Both won't have trouble to double at the right time, both know when to close in on their opponent, both are long and athletic enough to defend multiple positions. On offense they also manage to help their team lately despite their obvious shortcomings. Both can feed the post with ease, both can move without the ball and both are disciplined.
All these things will be vital for a team like the Knicks, that has become an example for undisciplined, fancy and complicated basketball in the last couple of years. Not only did the Knicks struggle to really develop an idendity on defense, they also constantly hurt themselves with numerous mistakes and blunders on the offensive end. The easiest and most simple plays often became an adventure for the Knicks players who at times looked more like a streetball all star squad than like a real NBA team. Both Collins and Balkman though are true basketball players. They can play on both ends of the court and will give the Knicks just the two way players they will need in the future to really make the next step and develop as a team. Collins and Balkman have years to improve their offense and all they need is a solid outside jumper to take the next step in their growth as players.
As each is 22 years old, they will have the time to work on their games and considering their work ethic and overall personality, Knicks fans can be positive about them knowing what to do.
Both have a lot to learn, there is no question about that. But in a league where fundamentally sound play and well coached defensive players have become a rare commodity, Isiah Thomas might have found two real diamonds in the rough in both players. The injuries might be a blessing in disguise for the troubled New York franchise and it's critisized coach and GM. One thing is for sure, washed up and disgruntled vets like Steve Francis won't help to turn around the team. These two kids though can be an important step in the right direction... |
