Balkman Shows Rodman-like Board Prowess

FOR those comparing Renaldo Balkman with Dennis Rodman, keep in mind the radical rebounder led the NBA in that category an unparalleled seven straight times (how did Wilt see this and not follow through on his perennial threat to come out of retirement?) and averaged 13.1 over 14 seasons.

Clearly, Rodman’s lack of a normal life lesson plan is being held against him by uptight, out-of-sight Hall of Fame committees who feel bizarre behavior outweighs unearthly achievement.

For the moment, Balkman’s supernatural powers remain largely untrained, but the promise of sugarplums has Knicks fans pumped and panting for longer check-ins and more frequent flying.

Interestingly enough, Rodman and Balkman put up the exact same average (4.3) as rookies with Renaldo actually requiring fewer (91) minutes.

In Rodman’s second season, he more than doubled his average to 8.7 rebounds, then upped it to 9.4 and 9.7 before breaking the double-figure barrier in year five. He maintained that accomplishment for the remainder of his career. Only in Oddman’s first two seasons did his scoring average exceed his board score.

Undeniably, Balkman’s repertoire is reminiscent of Rodman’s. He even has the more-bounce-to-the-ounce celebration down pat, incessantly parading around the court after completing something positive.

No wonder Thomas was able to pick out Balkman from the crowd at the NBA’s pre-draft camp in Orlando two Junes ago, Jordan Farmar stood out as well, I wrote at the time.

Acrobatically gifted and awfully self-motivated, Balkman spent his summer trying to minimize his weaknesses. Off just one full- court dribbling improvisation against the Nuggets, it was transparent how conscientiously he worked on his ball handling.

Balkman invested the same amount of time and effort on upgrading his mid-range jumper. For the Knicks’ sake, the improvement on his stroke will be painstakingly gradual.

Last thing the team needs is another shooting star in its congested galaxy. Bruce Bowen is a noted exception, but once a defensive specialist learns how to deliver from the perimeter he tends to hangout there.