Why doesn't Renaldo Balkman get more minutes?
More people have asked your friendly neighborhood columnist the above question than any other this season. In turn, I've asked George Karl the question multiple times throughout the season. Each time Karl's response has basically centered around Balkman being an insurance policy.
To some extent this makes sense given most coaches only like to go eight or nine players deep. With the injuries the Nuggets have experienced of late, though, Balkman has seen increased playing time. And as his minutes have increased, so has his production.
The question that remains is whether or not he will continue to see minutes once everyone is healthy again in Denver. Considering the team is 6-1 when Balkman starts, one would have to believe Karl will find a way to keep him a part of the rotation, right?
"There are choices on this team," Karl told HOOPSWORLD. "I don't think you can play everybody. If you have 20 to 25 minutes I would rather give one guy 25 minutes. So I think there are choices. When Kenyon's healthy there will be a choice to play Renaldo or Linas, and that's a choice that will have to be made in certain situations and circumstances. I'm happy for (Balkman). I think he's persevered through a difficult season. I told him a long time ago that you'll never know when you'll be playing, but be ready to play. I think he has done that very, very well."
Certainly Balkman doesn't have a very refined offensive game, and that's part of the reason Kleiza has been seeing the lion's share of the minutes off the bench. However, since the All-Star break Kleiza has been largely M.I.A.
Balkman, on the other hand, has been nothing short of fantastic. Over the course of his last three games he has grabbed 38 rebounds and scored 32 points. Perhaps most impressive, he's put up those numbers without having a single play run for him.
"It was great for him to fill in that spot for K-Mart," said Carmelo Anthony. "Coming in and grabbing boards and just hustling, I think that really got us going."
Opponents of the Nuggets have taken notice of what Balkman brings to the table, too.
"Those type of guys you don't judge by their stats," explained Oklahoma City head coach Scott Brooks. "He is an energy guy and has been terrific for them."
"He is a guy that fills the role of (Eduardo) Najera from last year," added former Nugget and current Thunder guard Earl Watson.
Even as well as Balkman has played, though, there's no guarantee he will get consistent minutes moving forward.
When asked about being ready to take advantage of his minutes, Balkman said: "You have to be. If I don't, you won't see me. When (Karl) calls my name I just have to be ready. He called my name (Wednesday morning) at shoot-around and I had to be ready."
For people who don't get to see Balkman behind the scenes, understand he's been professional all season long. There has been no moping or pouting in the locker room despite his inconsistent minutes. So whether he gets minutes or not, expect Balkman to continue to play the role of good soldier.
That said, with the Nuggets in the middle of a heated race for Northwest Division supremacy Karl can no longer afford to give Kleiza minutes hoping he'll come around. The Nuggets are in a place where every game matters, and if Balkman gives the team the best chance to win and it requires Kleiza to have a seat then that's what needs to be done.
Anything less could cost the Nuggets a division title and home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
