With the events of the first three rounds of the survivor season deeply ingrained into the minds of all the participants round #2 was set to being yesterday, but truly disturbing events occured and 2 additiional competitors were disqualified and thrown off the island. So without further ado, its time for SURVIVOR DISQUALIFICATION EDITION!
When the contest began each contestant was required to submit a video featuring highlights which would help show the audience their skills. Sheldon apparently was either not paying attention or so unhighlight worthy that he actually submitted the only video of him that could be found on the entire internet. Him being slammed on by the great James Posey. When the judges discovered this error they deemed it grounds for immediate disqualification because no one who can't get even a minute long highlight video of his rookie year on the internet will be moving into this site's Top 10.While every instinct I had as a proud fervid anti-Duke basketball fan told me to keep not even allow Sheldon into the competition. The reality of his situation won out. Widely considered the biggest stretch of the entire draft when he was picked number 5 overall by the Atlanta Hawks, Sheldon's overall numbers (5.5 points, 5.5 rebounds per game) did little to dispel that belief; however, as the season drew to a close Sheldon had an extremely productive stretch for a player of his perceived ability. During the last nine games Sheldon averaged 11.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1 block in 30.7 minutes per game. While not against the strongest competition (he played Milwaukee twice) it was still an impressive showing as over the course of 40 minutes that would be an average of 15 points and 14 boards, not shabby numbers of anyone. While it is questionable if he could produce that solidly over the course of actually playing 40 minutes is of course questionable, but other numbers always show him as a solid rookie big man.
He posted a 12.39 PER, and a true shooting percentage of 52%, not great numbers but very comparable to players above him on the list such as Andrea Bargnani (12.85 PER, 54.6 true shooting percentage). While it is obvious to that Bargnani's offense skill set and potential are significantly higher than Sheldon's, for the time being Williams held is own as a player overall efficiency wise. The big problem with Sheldon's current future is not that he won't develop somewhat in his all around game as many players do, it is the matter of finding a stable place on the roster. The Hawks are stacked the forward position with numerous young prospects including the once #2 overall pick Marvin Williams and current #3 overall pick Al Horford. This will likely eventually force Sheldon to either become a back-up this year at some point or take the starting center position which at 6' 9'' would be difficult even with the East's weak 5 men. The past year was at least met expectations for Williams if not exceeded them slightly, but his future is very cloudy because of his potential for growth and playing time. He has done enough though to produce the belief that he will be the #10 best member of the NBA Sophomore Class this year.
With Sheldon Williams removed from the competition only 5 players remained for to vie for the top spot (#5 of course), but as the next game was set to commence some terrible news claim to light about one of the contestants. The rules clearly stated when the competition began that each player had to have the support of their team to qualify, and when it turned out otherwise for one he had to go. Renaldo Balkman, according to his teammates sworn affidavit, is a terrible cancer on their team. His insistence on hustle and team play threatened to tear them apart by the middle of last season it claimed. With that information in mind it was decided that Renaldo Balkman would no longer be allowed to compete for the title.
After being booed by the draft crowd by becoming a surprising first round selection and being called what amounts to a Nazi Child Molester by Steven A. Smith Renaldo Balkman went on to have one the better years among NBA rookies. While play wildly inconsistent minutes on a Knicks squad covered with overpaid, overplayed players (Jerome James (5.16 PER) and Jared Jefferies (8.65 PER) are just as useful at home collecting their checks as they are on the court), Balkman managed to post an above NBA average PER of 16.09. That number places him in the upper echelon of NBA rookies in the past year as well. Even more incredible is that Balkman did that using only 14.4 possessions per 40 minutes, so much of his value was found in areas other than what every other Knick tries to bring, scoring. In addition, when Balkman did attempt a shot he did so at a very high rate, 50.4% shooting percentage (53% true shooting percentage). Overall when factoring his intangible hustle plays, his solid rebounding (11 per 40 minutes), and his solidly efficient offense on a team that is not in need of another isolation player and Balkman was without a doubt a major steal where he was selected in retrospect (even if he could have been taken later more than likely).Despite the numerous positives listed above about Balkman, there will be many things hindering his ascension in the future. First, Balkman will likely never bring a complete multi-dimensional offensive game to the court. He doesn't shoot 3's well (18.5% on just 27 attempts) and lacks the athletic and creative skills to be any sort of elite perpetrator for even weak teams like the Knicks. That leaves only his hustle, rebounding, and intelligence use of his limited offensive abilities for him to survive on. While those abilities are extremely useful, he is on a team that will constantly limit his minutes to play other players who might possibly develop into better prospects than Balkman down the road constantly limiting his impact on the game. With the power rotation pretty much filled up with 2 tons of power moves in Zach Randolph and Eddy Curry (along with double double machine David Lee), Balkman will likely be limited to the SF spot next year which despite not having great talent will still be rotationally heavy. With Jared Jefferies, Quentin Richardson, and new first round pick Wilson Chandler all competing for time at that position Balkman while not squeezed out will probably not see a great deal of increase from last year's average (15.7 mpg). While what he does with his small skill set is impressive, with his limited minutes his impact on the game is limited and he cannot simply affect the game enough to merit moving higher on the rankings. Since he likely will not develop much on offense with or with out playing time his impact on the game will likely always be based on the players around him and how much time he receives. As a 4th or 5th offensive option on a better team he could be a valuable contributor to a playoff run, but in his current place in the NBA he is only good enough to be the #9 best member of the NBA Sophomore Class.
With Renaldo Balkman and Sheldon Williams eliminated from the competition only 4 competitors remain to compete for the #5 spot on the list. Our sponsors have demanded a new format for the finale tomorrow in which all is decided in a no-holds-barred showdown between Sergio Rodriguez, Rajon Rondo, Paul Millsap, and Daniel Gibson. Its HELL IN A CELL!
If you don't think this is the greatest wrestling match ever, I will fight you.
