Balkman will bring energy to Nuggets

By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published October 14, 2008 at 5:53 p.m.

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Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

The Nuggets' Renaldo Balkman warms up before Friday's preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

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"Birdman" might be grounded, but Nuggets fans still have a pretty good facsimile in Balkman.

With Chris Andersen expected to miss tonight's home preseason game against Utah because of a left calf injury, a new fan favorite might get some extra cheers. Forward Renaldo Balkman is an energetic player in the "Birdman" mold.

And unlike Andersen, Balkman hasn't cut his hair recently.

"He might be like Manny Ramirez out there," Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony said of Balkman, who has long dreadlocks while Andersen has shed his flowing locks.

"Wearing the hairband with the dreads. . . . I'm pretty sure that fans will take to him as an energy player, sort of like they did with (the departed) Eddie Najera."

Balkman has wasted no time proving to be a pretty good salvage job by the Nuggets. He was acquired from New York in July for two players with nonguaranteed contracts who were waived.

In Friday's preseason opener against Minnesota, he made 4-of-4 shots for eight points and had four steals in nine minutes.

"I'm like a strong safety on the basketball court," said Balkman, who reported a sore right ankle that recently slowed him is doing better. "I get a lot of interceptions. . . . On the court, I see a lot of things."

But the Knicks didn't see much in Balkman after a new general manager (Donnie Walsh) and a new coach (Mike D'Antoni) arrived in the spring. With the Knicks seeking to shed salary, he was dispatched.

"They drafted (Italian forward Danilo Gallinari with the No. 6 pick) and D'Antoni said I had no part, no role on the team anymore," said Balkman, who averaged 4.3 points and 4.9 rebounds as a rookie in 2006-07 and 3.3 and 3.4 last season after his minutes were cut.

But Balkman said he has "no hatred" toward the Knicks and just has "another job." Meanwhile, the Nuggets are starting to like Balkman.

"Players like playing with him and the coaches like watching him," coach George Karl said.

Ailing Nuggets

Allen Iverson loves to play.

Well, maybe not as much in the preseason.

Iverson, who sat out Saturday against Phoenix, might be out again tonight because of a sore left knee. He didn't practice Tuesday.

"I would doubt if he'll go," said Karl, who will have Anthony back after he missed two games because of a bruised finger, although he said Anthony had his calves tighten up Tuesday. "His knee is still sore."

Karl told Andersen he likely is out tonight. Andersen was kicked in the calf last week and did little Tuesday.

"I'd much rather let it heal and just save it for the real thing (regular season)," said Andersen, who is getting treatment and isn't sure how many preseason games he might miss.

Karl said another sidelined big man might be Steven Hunter, who has a sore right knee. Karl said Hunter has "old knees."

At least rookie Sonny Weems is showing some signs of returning to practice, although it's uncertain whether he'll play in the preseason.

Weems, recovering from a groin strain, has started doing some court work.

Still alive?

While Nuggets officials earlier this month refuted trade rumors about Indiana guard Jamaal Tinsley possibly coming to Denver, the Pacers' top basketball man hasn't ruled it out.

"We've been talking to Denver quite often, and I think it's in their hands now," Larry Bird on Monday told Indianapolis radio station WIBC-AM (1070). "And I think we'll be talking a little more this week."

Nuggets executive Mark Warkentien declined comment when asked about what Bird said.

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