Balkman released on $500 bond

[Warhawk]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4418310

DENVER -- Nuggets reserve forward Renaldo Balkman has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in Florida.
Balkman, 25, was arrested by Temple Terrace, Fla., officers at 4 a.m. Saturday after he refused a blood-alcohol test, according to a police report on the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Web site.
Balkman was released after posting $500 bond.
Nuggets executive Mark Warkentien said the team was aware of Balkman's arrest but declined further comment "out of respect for the legal process."
Balkman averaged 5.0 points and 3.8 rebounds last season, his first with the Nuggets.

 

[NoBonus]

Dumb...

 

[kennadog]

Good lord. Don't these athletes ever learn? Maybe "CALL A CAB!" should be tattoed on the backs of both hands or something for athletes.

 

[Bricklayer]

Good lord. Don't these athletes ever learn? Maybe "CALL A CAB!" should be tattoed on the backs of both hands or something for athletes.

When you are trying to show off your $100,000 ride? Pffft!

 

[kennadog]

When you are trying to show off your $100,000 ride? Pffft!

Then how about "GET A CHAUFFER!"

 

[USNAVY15]

Balkman cant afford a guy who drives him around, but he can afford a taxi. But the problem with taxis is security.
Renaldo has to wait outside to flag the taxi he called all the while trying to conseal his firearm so the taxi who is supposed to drive him around isn't dissuaded from his job. This is a horrible position to be in. Alone, night, firearm, drunk, NBA face, NBA hair, NBA clothes, probably $1000 cash plus $10k jewlery. Would you guys want to take a defensless taxi? I would drive my own car that a valet inside the private club/party drives right up to the entrance, little risk, poor tactical for would be attackers. He made the right choice if personal safety from theft and robbery was a priority.

 

[kennadog]

Call a cab and the driver will come in and find you. At least that's what my brother had to do when drunks called when he drove a cab. What a fun job. Going to questionable dives in questionable areas and try to find the person who called.

 

[piksi]

How about - Don't drink !

 

[VF21]

Balkman cant afford a guy who drives him around, but he can afford a taxi. But the problem with taxis is security.
Renaldo has to wait outside to flag the taxi he called all the while trying to conseal his firearm so the taxi who is supposed to drive him around isn't dissuaded from his job. This is a horrible position to be in. Alone, night, firearm, drunk, NBA face, NBA hair, NBA clothes, probably $1000 cash plus $10k jewlery. Would you guys want to take a defensless taxi? I would drive my own car that a valet inside the private club/party drives right up to the entrance, little risk, poor tactical for would be attackers. He made the right choice if personal safety from theft and robbery was a priority.

Horse pucky.

Driving drunk is NEVER the right choice. Ever. And trying to rationalize it doesn't change the facts. Driving drunk is stupid, it's dangerous and I sincerely hope you were being facetious with your comments.

 

[USNAVY15]

I am very much against it for a multitude of reasons that would be unethical for me to divulgde. I was making the point, that in his mind, he would rather drink and drive and risk a DUI than get a taxi because it would force his Ego to reliquish the feeling of control. Its hard to imagine it but, Balkman isn't an extraordinary example of this behavior. He is the status quo when it comes to young athletes with a fist full of dollars. Normal behavior for him; illegal, and offensive to the rest of us. I did say i would do what he did, only because i was putting myself in his shoes, trying to force myself into an honest response to a similar situation.

 

[VF21]

I am very much against it for a multitude of reasons that would be unethical for me to divulgde. I was making the point, that in his mind, he would rather drink and drive and risk a DUI than get a taxi because it would force his Ego to reliquish the feeling of control. Its hard to imagine it but, Balkman isn't an extraordinary example of this behavior. He is the status quo when it comes to young athletes with a fist full of dollars. Normal behavior for him; illegal, and offensive to the rest of us. I did say i would do what he did, only because i was putting myself in his shoes, trying to force myself into an honest response to a similar situation.

And it's that whack POV - his, not yours - that needs adjustment real quick. Not all young athletes have the same mindset, but I do acknowledge the problem. The solution isn't to make excuses for them. He's got a fist full of dollars AND increased responsibility to himself, his team and his fans. If he honestly believes it's better to drive drunk than to relinquish the feeling of control then he needs to have the driving privilege taken away.

Driving drunk is stupid and it gets people - usually the innocent ones who aren't drunk - killed. Period. Making excuses for those who decide it's okay to drive drunk is okay, I guess - until it's someone you love whose life is snuffed out.

I'm not trying to make this a personal response to you, BTW. This is one topic that really irritates the crap out of me. People DIE because spoiled young men with more money than brains don't want to be seen taking a cab or getting a ride because their driving ability has been impaired by alcohol. Blech...

 

[USNAVY15]

He will be suspended for 5 or so games without pay. And will be prosecuted in accordance with the Denver county superior court. I suspect he will be speaking to schools about not driving under the influence for the next 2-3 years and he will be under intense scrutiny when it comes to a contract extention from Denver. I don't excuse him either, I just have a habit of trying to understand the reasoning behind the crime. And you can be assured that he probably just lost 5-7 millions dollars in future earnings because of his reckless actions. I can't speak on loss from DUI. But i can speak on getting rid of a friend who would DUI alot. And it was hard, but i had to tell him to get help and get clean, and i didn't want to see him again until that happened. I have been to a handful of meetings, it can get pretty real. and i apologize for sympathizing with this character balkman, because he doesn't really deserve the benifit of the doubt right now.