Perhaps the most relevant statistic not included on this list is “team defense”. Mismatches are a fact of life in the NBA. All the better teams have one or more such situations they can exploit – and do. At the same time, they have the capacity to off-set the mismatches other teams employ with their own defensive sets. One of the reasons veteran teams are often more effective at defense is due to the fact that the players have played together extensively, know the other teams and their strengths well, and can better employ successful defensive strategies. Young teams will be inconsistent.

There is no such thing, after all, as any team having 5 all-stars starting. The teams that win championships, as a result, are those that inevitably have the best “team” defense. Blake’s defensive weaknesses are less glaring on the Blazers, precisely because the Blazers have Aldridge/Oden/Pryzbilla. Eventually, of course, we’re likely to develop/trade to improve this spot.

Thanks to the OP who provided the link to my original blog entry for the members of this board. It is always appreciated, on my part.

If I can answer any follow-up questions you might have it would be my pleasure to do so.

Off the bat, let me say that I’m impressed with the approach that several of you are taking, to begin with, when an individual blogger seems to be disrespecting the starting PG for your team which is currently one of the best in the NBA.

IMO, Steve Blake’s strengths as a solid PG in this league are at the offensive end of the floor, where he is good fit [at least temporarily] as a running mate for Brandon Roy.

As the Blazers continue their inexorable climb up the WC standings … what is most important is Blake’s ability to:

1. Hit “open catch & shoot 3’s”;
2. Make solid passes;
3. Provide decent perimeter D on opponent PG’s who are generally smaller and quicker than Mr. Roy; and,
4. Relieve Mr. Roy from the full burden of handling the ball for Portalnd for 48 minutes a game;

rather his overall ability as a defensive player … especially with Bigs like Aldridge, Przybilla and Oden on the floor behind him.

When you get right down to it … Brandon Roy is the primary Point Guard on this team, not Steve Blake, who should gradually see his minutes reduced as the Blazers continue to improve and fully incorporate outstanding younger Guards and Forwards like:

STARTERS:
Roy
Webster
Batum
Aldridge
Oden
——————————————————-
KEY BENCH SUBS:
Bayless or Rodriguez or Blake
Outlaw
Frye

into their principal rotation.

Please feel free to provide a comment on my blog. It’s a pleasure to exchange thoughts about the game with knowledgeable NBA fans. :-)