Commentary: Why should I Celebrate Reanldo Balkman?

Renaldo Balkman, 2006 first round draft pick of the New York Nicks. Played parts of three seasons for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. He averaged a whopping 9.6 points per game, while averaging 25.7 minutes per game. Hmmm, lets see now, why would a first round draft pick average only 25.7 minutes per contest? Could it be because he played on a team so loaded with talent that he could only play that many minutes? Or could it be that he often dogged it and his coach benched him due to lack of effort and respect? Balkman led the Gamecocks to back-to-back N.I.T. Championships. Wait, is that really an accurate statement? I think not. Balkman has never led USC in anything except most time benched for lack of effort and being uncoachable.

It is unfathomable to think that a storied organization such as the New York Nicks could make a player that didn't show up for nearly two-thirds of his teams games a millionaire. Clearly these are not the Nicks of Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, Earl"The Pearl" Monroe, and Bill Bradley. These are now the Nicks of Isaiah "The Clueless" Thomas. Maybe Bobby Knight did hit him with a chair too many times.

Why should I celebrate Balkman? Do I celebrate a five game span where Balkman looked and played like Superman versus so many disappointments, so many missed lay-ups, so many missed free throws, and a multitude of turnovers? Why should I celebrate a guy that was not eligible to play high school basketball in the state of Florida as a sophomore or junior or senior? It was only after Balkman transferred to the IMG academy that he became eligible. Then after finding out he wasn't "academic minded", he was shipped to Laurinburg Prep, the Alma Mater of Rocket Scientist Chris Washburn, "Mr. 480 SAT". Laurinburg is not noted for being an academically minded prep school, but rather one that "gets it done" in regards to it's basketball players. After all, Washburn made it to N.C. State didn't he? Even then, Balkman was not cleared by USC's compliance office. Only after taking courses at Midlands Tech was Balkman finally cleared to begin team activities several weeks after fall practice had begun.

There is no question that Balkman is an exceptional athlete. When he is on his game, he plays with great energy and excitement. He runs the floor, he jumps high and slam dunks with the best of them. He can block shots, rebound, start the fast break and finish with a rim thundering dunk. But only on certain nights did Balkman don his cape. For most of his career kryptonite was present in the arenas in which he played.

What great accomplishments did he achieve for my alma mater? Did he ever lead USC to the promised land? The answers are not indicative of a 1st round NBA draft pick, especially to a storied organization such as the New York Nicks. The truth is Balkman was a pain in the posterior for Dave Odom for three seasons. The truth is that Balkman was almost kicked off the team several times. The truth is that the coaching staff did not want him back after the 2005 SEC tournament.

The truth is The N.I.T. does not stand for the Not Important tournament for Renaldo Balkman. He used the NIT to regain favor with the coaching staff in 2005 and then again used the N.I.T to springboard himself to the NBA. Boy was I wrong. The N.I.T was good for something, the career of Renaldo Balkman.

Now Odom has over-scheduled his team, because he trusted Renaldo Balkman would return for his senior season. Now USC is left without a rebounder, and finds itself returning only two starters heading into the 2006-07 campaign. USC will be outmatched in games versus Southern Cal, Kansas, Pitt, Clemson and other strong non-conference opponents, just like Renaldo will fin himself outmatched physically most nights next season. And not just for 30 games like college, but closer to 100 games counting the pre-season. Don't worry Renaldo, that will be all. Your season will end just like they did at USC, not making the real post-season.

So, good bye and good luck Renaldo, and thanks for the memories. Too bad there wasn't more of them.