Renaldo Balkman, Mike James still hope for NBA return

FRISCO, Texas -- Michael Taylor, public-address for the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League, reminds fans late in each game to stay afterward to get autographs "from the future stars of the NBA."

And from basketball's young at heart, too.

At 39 years old, Legends point guard Mike James is the oldest active player in the D-League … or the NBA. In his 17th pro season, he has crisscrossed through 11 NBA rosters since 2001 and remains convinced he can play there again.

"I may have one, two more years left," the 6-2 James said recently. "I still believe that I'm one of the 300 best that's in the world." The only NBA player older than him is the sidelined Steve Nash at 40. The D-League couldn't confirm James is its oldest player ever.

Renaldo Balkman is "only" 30 years old, a 6-8 Legends forward. Balkman was the New York Knicks' surprising No. 20 overall draftee in 2006. He started 12 games in six seasons for the Knicks and Denver Nuggets and has been out of the NBA since 2012.

Balkman and James could earn significantly more money playing overseas but chose to join the Legends, affiliated with the nearby Dallas Mavericks, for the D-League's maximum exposure to NBA executives.

"There's a place for me somewhere in the NBA," Balkman said. "I've just got to find that."

The NBA formed the D-League in 2001 as a proving ground for young players. The Mavericks have placed players like 24-year-old forward Eric Griffin there this season. Dallas also occasionally dispatches its own young players who struggle to get NBA playing time, like 22-year-old guard Ricky Ledo, for D-league minutes.

But Donnie Nelson, Mavericks president of basketball operations and a co-owner of the Legends, noted there's a place in the league for older players.

"The D-League is kind of like American Idol," Nelson said.

James went undrafted in 1998 following his senior season at Duquesne and played his way onto the Miami Heat three years later. He has been signed as an NBA free agent eight times, waived five times, traded six times and signed to five 10-day contracts.

James' peak season was 2005-06 with the Toronto Raptors. He started 79 games and averaged 20.3 points and 5.8 assists. He played 11 games last season for the Chicago Bulls and was waived in July.

Nelson brought in James for 45 Mavericks games two seasons ago and said it's good to know there's an "NBA-ready point guard" only about 20 minutes up the road.

James is averaging 15 points playing 31.6 minutes. Legends coach Eduardo Najera suspects he's on many NBA look lists with this season's 10-day contract period beginning in a few weeks.

James' wife and five daughters live in Houston and attend many of his home games, like Saturday's. Eleven-year-old Amaya, who has performed the national anthem at NBA games, sang God Bless America.

Angela James was starting a business six years ago when the family appeared on an episode of Supernanny. Her business now, she said, is Mike's basketball and the girls.

"I know there's a limited time frame for an NBA career," she said. "I trust Mike."

James said he's about as "small" as he has ever played, at 185 pounds. Balkman played at 205-210 pounds in the NBA and now is 225-230. He wasn't even at the draft when the Knicks selected him following his junior season at South Carolina. One national pundit joked the team confused him with former Knick Rolando Blackman.

Balkman started once during two seasons with New York before being traded to Denver. Then it was back to the Knicks in February 2011 as part of their acquisition of Carmelo Anthony. Balkman was waived in February 2012 to make room for J.R. Smith.

He said critics have targeted his overall game, his attitude (banned from playing in the Filipino league) and his look (dreadlocks and a collection of tattoos that includes the words HUSTLE and HARDER above his eye lids).

"I'm not that tough guy you think I am," said Balkman, who has missed some time with an ankle injury. "I mean, on the court sometimes I may be a little tough, towards a couple of guys – my opponents."

He's averaging 15.8 points and 8.9 rebounds in 28.8 minutes.

Dallas signed Balkman in late October and waived him the next day to place him in Frisco.

"It's not like he's lost his ability to perform," Nelson said.

Najera said he brings Balkman off the bench though he deserves to start because that's what he'd do in the NBA.

"His behavior has been off the charts," Najera said. "He's been our most consistent player."

James' comments about Balkman probably speak to himself, too:

"Here he is, still trying to fight a label."