June 26, 2006 - Bucks Training Center
On Monday, June 26, the Bucks held their their eighth and final draft prospect workout at the team's training center in St. Francis, WI. In the days leading up to the 2006 NBA Draft (June 28), the Bucks will have held a series of these workouts as they prepare to decide who to select with their lone pick, the 39th overall selection. Monday's workout roster included:
Bucks.com was on hand for the media availability following the 2-hour workout and chatted with the players ...
Renaldo Balkman:
How did today's workout go?
It went well. It got off to a good start and it went well.
How many teams have you worked out?
Eight or nine. This was my last one and I'm going home after this.
Are you being told anything about where you could go in the draft?
Early second round, maybe. Or late first round. I'm just hoping I get picked up in the draft and have a great career in the NBA.
Was this one of your better workouts?
This was one of the best workouts I've had. They're all pretty much the same.
What have you been doing to prepare yourself from making the switch from the 4 to the 3 spot?
It's all about the same. I mean, if I was playing the 4, I'd be playing more in the post. But if it's a transition team, I can run as well, whether it's on the fly or rebunding and running with it. Just going with it. Until my point guard give it back to me for the dunk. I love that (laughts).
Terence Dials:
Are you ready for draft night?
I’m ready to get this over with. It’s been tedious since the college basketball season ended. You go train and in the middle of May you do a lot of traveling. It can wear on you, but I’m anxious to see what goes on Wednesday.
What are you doing to keep yourself sane and your mind off of the draft?
There’s nothing you can really do except continue to work out and put yourself in the best situation to get drafted. You have to make sure you have no regrets at the end of the day. That’s what I do. I try to give it my all, so I can’t say I regret not going hard in the Bucks workout or going hard in the Raptors workout.
Where else have you done workouts?
I’ve been to Toronto, New Orleans/Oklahoma, Minnesota, Houston, Cleveland, Indiana, New Jersey – a few others.
How was the Bucks workout?
It was intense. I was with a couple of good guys who pushed me. I thought I showed a lot. I shot the ball really well. I showed I could move a little bit. Hopefully, I impressed some of the guys today.
What are you hoping to bring to a team if selected?
Whatever the team needs. Whatever coach tells me to go out there and do. I’m very coachable. If he [the coach of the team] wants me to go out there and continue to rebound and not worry about scoring, then that’s what I’m going to do. If he wants me to be a scorer then I’ll focus all my energy on scoring. At this point it doesn’t matter. You could have me on the bench waving a towel and I’ll be happy with that [laughs]. I just want to make it here.
Would you like to play on a team like the Bucks?
Definitely. Mike [Redd] right now, besides Jim Jackson, might be the only guy from The Ohio State University in the NBA. I know Mike real well from his time in Columbus. He comes back all the time and works out with us. I have a personal relationship with him, so it would be great coming here and to be under his wing and learn the ropes of the NBA through him – what to do and what not to do. I think it’d be great. I heard this past weekend they had a couple of other Ohio State guys in here – Scoonie Penn and Ken Johnson. You never know, there could be a whole Ohio State squad here [laughs].
Did Michael give you any pointers or tips about this process?
Just go out here and work hard. He told me after the season to just prepare. He went through this whole process himself. He let me know that it’s tedious and you have to work hard and make sure you have no regrets – and I don’t. I gave it my all in every workout. Hopefully it pays off on Wednesday.
Sean Dockery:
How was the workout?
It was good. It was tense from the start. I like the coaches because they push you a lot. Previous workouts I went to, they didn’t push you like this one. I felt I got better working out here.
What do you think of Milwaukee and the Bucks?
Feels like I’m at home. I’m from Chicago, so it feels like it’s still home. It’s a great place. It looks like a great organization. The coaching staff and everybody in the organization seem like great people. I would love to be here.
Living so close to Milwaukee, did you come to any Bucks games?
Actually me and my father, when I was younger, used to come to Milwaukee games. My father is a big sports guy, so we used to come here and drive and come to some Milwaukee Bucks games. It’s great. It’s a privilege, me being able to practice here. It’s basically a dream come true.
Has your father been an influence in your career?
Yes. He’s one of the guys that whatever I want to do, he believes in me and he’s coming to help me out with it. He’s not one of those fathers that just puts the ball in your hands and pushes you and makes you hate basketball. He’s a guy that’s there for me and cares for me.
What will you always remember of your Duke alma-mater?
The whole university is like a family. I’m so blessed that I went there and attended that college. I know, from the secretary of Duke to Coach K [Krzyzewski] or professors, I can call on any of them and they’ll be there for me. It’s just a family organization. It’s one of the best.
What do you plan to bring to a team if selected?
Just intensity. I’m a guy who wants the win so I’m going to play hard and I’m going to do the little things right now. I know I’m not going to be a Michael Jordan coming out of here right now, but hopefully, during my career in the NBA, I get better and I’ll do the little things for my team to win.
Where else have you done workouts?
I’ve worked out for probably ten teams – the Bulls and Memphis were two of them. This process is intense and long, so I can’t remember [all of the teams]. It seems like years ago.
Justin Gray:
How was the workout?
It was very good. They want to see you do the things that they need – shoot the ball, be competitive and play defense. I think the workout went well for me. I like the 2-on-2 drills more, where you compete a little better, and the shooting drills they put in there to see who could win. That put a lot of competition in it. For the most part you just try to come out and have fun and play as hard as you can for every possession.
Where else have you done workouts?
Indiana, Houston, Jazz, Hornets, Bobcats – I’ve been on the circuit, so I’ve been around.
Has the process gotten to you?
I think now it’s coming to the end. You’re always going to work out for teams because it’s a great opportunity for people to see you and you want to showcase your talent. When you go on four or five teams a week, the travel takes more of a toll than the workouts.
What would you bring to a team if selected?
I think I’m a team player. I’m not a 1-on-1-type guy. I’m a complimentary guy. That’s what I try to tell all of the teams. I don’t want to come out and be a superstar, but I’ll take and make big shots. If it comes down to it, if I have to score the ball, I can score it. [I will] be able to run the team – try to get a good shot for the Bucks and be the head of the defense every time.
What will you do on draft night?
I’m not going to be in New York. I just told my mom, “Mom, I’m coming home”. I’m going to go to Charlotte. They [parents] rented out the whole rec center I went to. They’re talking about having a draft get-together. That puts more pressure on me [smiles]. At first I was going to work out during the draft, but my parents have talked me into watching it.
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