Putting the Blake Haters to Rest

by sotis on Jan 10, 2008 11:09 AM PST

There was substantial dissent generated when I posted a "We Want Blake" diary over the summer before we acquired him. In particular, many questioned my assertions of his shooting abilities. Please refer to his performance last night (and cumulative performance throughout this run) as irrefutable evidence. This guy is a very good point guard, AND shooter. http://www.blazersedge.com/story/2007/7/2/184839/4483

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He's no all-star

But he's very solid, and he fits with this team PERFECTLY

And he's only going to be turning 28 this year...

I think if he keeps playing the way he has this season, we don't need to worry too much about a new point guard in the near future.

Brandon Roy 007

by TimG on Jan 10, 2008 11:16 AM PST reply actions

I'm hard-pressed

to remember any 'blake-hating' that was going on. But hey, if it makes you feel better, you were right. ;-)

- Sam

by Samuelson on Jan 10, 2008 11:36 AM PST reply actions

steve blake

is the white derek fisher

the guy's never gonna be all-nba, but if you already have a post threat and a slashing wing he's a perfect fit...tell me they wouldn't love to have him in orlando right now, they could run the triangle offense to perfection with howard and lewis/turkoglu

i've liked him from the get go but even i was impressed last night

by DominicanAvenger on Jan 10, 2008 11:50 AM PST reply actions

blake

I don't think there was any "Blake-hating," just some healthy skepticism.

Blake is not a "great shooter."

That's objectively false as his career percentages (2 pointer matter also) show.

He is a very solid point guard who is having a career year in terms of shooting the ball (particularly on threes).

I'm thrilled he's on the team, and he's playing terrific ball.

Let's not get carried away though.

by jksnake99 on Jan 10, 2008 11:55 AM PST reply actions

Who could hate Steve Blake?

That's like hating...Saltine crackers or something. It's hard to imagine people getting that worked up about him.

However over the summer the people with the most potential excitement generate the most passion, and Blake is not one of those guys, so it's easy to see where he wouldn't get as much play in the discussion. The actual season values performance over potential and results over excitement, so the estimation of Steve goes up.

--Dave

by Dave on Jan 10, 2008 12:10 PM PST reply actions

No hating

But no love, either. You look at the comments on the thread he linked to in the diary, and NO ONE wanted Blake.

People said he doesn't have a place here, not good enough, etc, etc.

I think fatty was the only one in that diary thread who supported the idea that Blake would be a good pick up. He was right.

by jscot on Jan 10, 2008 1:09 PM PST reply actions

fatty was not the only one.

by timg56 on Jan 11, 2008 7:54 AM PST up reply actions

I like Blake

I just don't agree with his political views. I am still amazed that a skinhead gets along so well with so many African American players.

A shadowy flight into the dangerous world of a man who does not exit - Darius Miles

by tominhawaii on Jan 10, 2008 3:26 PM PST reply actions

How could he be a skinhead...

when he is the caucasion incarnation of Gary Payton (I mean look at the shapes of their heads)?!

by Devenex on Jan 10, 2008 4:31 PM PST up reply actions

Provoked an amusing reaction

there, Tom. I thought, "What? How has this not become a story? I need Blake's wikipedia page, stat!" and then I checked the signature and thought, "Ohhhh..." :) your reputation precedes you.

by BlazersOrBust on Jan 10, 2008 11:45 PM PST up reply actions

I had to check to see if I'd commented

because I've always liked (and defended) Blake, but I let that one go sans comment. I'm guessing I didn't vote in poll either because for ones like that I think "I haven't got the slightest idea. Ask me again after the pre-season." :-)

And to tomin ... I snorted when I read your comment about skinhead. Last night I twice saw Marty grab his (Blake's) head and rub it - I interpreted it as affection, but maybe he was trying to suffocate him??? After all if Blakie (as Mike Rice calls him) is taking the shots then Marty can't. Maybe he put Ellis up to the knee assault...

"They were playing the game with a great deal of passion and excitement and it was a real bear's den to be involved in." - Jerry Sloan on the Blazers, 01/05/08

by jorga on Jan 10, 2008 6:34 PM PST reply actions

Awe

You know I was just kidding. Blake is good people in my book. I just wish his wife would make him grow his hair back out and then get cornrows.

A shadowy flight into the dangerous world of a man who does not exit - Darius Miles

by tominhawaii on Jan 10, 2008 6:48 PM PST up reply actions

Well,

not long enough for cornrows, but long enough to see!

"They were playing the game with a great deal of passion and excitement and it was a real bear's den to be involved in." - Jerry Sloan on the Blazers, 01/05/08

by jorga on Jan 10, 2008 7:55 PM PST up reply actions

blake thoughts

i remember this off season when we made the trade and i didnt understand the motive behind it. i was still under the assumption that both blake and jack were pretty equal in terms of overall skill. didnt think bringing in blake would have been a big upgrade over jack and it would hinder sergios progress.

i was wrong and blake is one of our more consistent performers and has stepped it up when we needed him too.

by Philthyanimal on Jan 10, 2008 9:18 PM PST reply actions

crow pie...

I ditto Philthyanimal: In particular
1. I was wrong about the trade because it was reported as a 3 year deal but it is a 2 year deal with Portland's option on the third.
2. I didn't understand the Pritchards philosophy of allowing comprable players compete for play-off time.
3. I was wrong to judge Blake soley on his previous time with the Blazers and of being ignorant of what he had done since then and his work ethic.
4. I was wrong, he does shoot better than Jack.
5. I was wrong, he does run the break better than Jack.

I'm very glad to be wrong wrong wrong in Blakes case.

I was also wrong about James Jones.

In my defense, I was right about Outlaw and Webster.

by mrwonderfull on Jan 10, 2008 10:40 PM PST reply actions

Count me as another who was wrong about Jones

I was wisihng Pritchard could have swing a deal sending him to Chicago in order to bring Victor Khyrapa back.

Boy do I look stupid now. (Ok, several of you thought I was stupid just for liking Khyrapa.)

by timg56 on Jan 11, 2008 7:58 AM PST up reply actions

confidence

I do admire blakes quiet confidence in his game. Even when hes off to a bad start he holds his head up high still and can redeem himself. Jack seems to get down on himself and struggles to get out of the rut...but we all know what happens when u struggle to get out of quicksand.

by Philthyanimal on Jan 10, 2008 10:46 PM PST reply actions

Improvement over the season

Blake looked slow & not agressive to start the season. Only in the last 15-20 games has he hit the wide open shots... but look at how many games we have won in that time. Well into the season he was shooting in the low 30% on wiiiiiiiide open threes.

I don't think I was wrong to criticize Blake in the early going.... I'm very happy he is doing well now.

I do hope J. Jack can get it going again though. Am I the last one here who still loves Jack? I'll post a diary soon about him & take lots of heat I'm sure.

by tweener on Jan 11, 2008 12:00 AM PST reply actions

early

i think its cuz his role has changed. if u noticed he was the main distributor when he was in the lineup to start the year....now he refers over to roy. i think it just took him time to adapt. i remember him lobbing up some alley oops that were great passes but our players couldnt convert. now that he has a defined role i think he has been working hard to fill in that role.

by Philthyanimal on Jan 11, 2008 9:34 AM PST up reply actions

It wasn't a trade / Picked up as FA

Sorry to disagree Dave. I wouldn't say
it was Blake-hating, but many on this site
ripped Blake, Martell, JJ, etc. I comment
occasionally, but have read comments regularily
since finding this site in late 06. I found the
link from O-live and enjoyed your insights
being a 30+ year Blazermaniac. Having coached
high school and summer ball for years, I
understand the maturation process that these
athlete's must undergo. The comments were
primarily; he's a horrible defender, he can't
get off his own shot and let's trade for a
"superstar" PG or SF, not sign underachieving
retreads.
My own "Old school" experiences have always
been five good players who will hustle, play
hard and together and impliment the coaching staff's game plan, is better than amazing talent
playing one on one, or to "get mine". Case in
point; Stephen Jackson, Zbo, Blobe, Arenas, etc.
Talent ? Yes. Winners ? No. Well Blobe has won,
but not since his "team" fell apart from his own
arrogance. Now he's supposedly a "team" player. What happened ? I guess he actually found that he
had some good teammates. Isn't that GREAT!!!
I can't wait for the Blazers to spank them hard.
Blake is a winner, because he is willing to
sublimate his game for the betterment of the team.
Of course being a pretty good all around player
who will scrap on defense, dig out boards and
hit the open 3 would be a pretty good addition
to any backcourt. Heal up Steve and rest assured
the boys will hold down the fort in your absence!

It's GO time !

by walkoff41 on Jan 11, 2008 6:48 PM PST reply actions