Steve Blake's moment has come and gone

They had him guarding LBJ in crunch time. I realize the guy is almost unstoppable, but jeez, it seems Roy or Webster would be better suited to at least try.

Last night I finally saw why Blake gets the minutes he does. Sure, his shot’s not falling, sure he’s not the greatest defender, but he was one of the few people still trying out there at the end of the game. I cringed when he got switched over to LeBron James, but danged if he didn’t try and pressure James into tougher shots. LeBron made them. But they were not easy shots, more like, “wow, if that’s going in, we can’t stop them” kind of shots.

Bayless tries too. But Bayless is a lot less consistent at it. He’s still trying to find that balance between trying too hard, and fouling everyone, and not trying hard enough, and losing his man. I don’t mind people calling for him to start. Blake’s shot has been struggling all year. And that’s an important part of his being on the floor.

Still, I understand why Blake is starting. And everyone else should too. Because it’s been drilled into us since Kevin Pritchard became the GM. Culture. Culture means that you don’t just give up on a guy because he’s in a slump. To have culture, they have to give the guy who shot lights out from 3 the last two years running a legitimate chance to break that slump. And not just a handful of games.

So if you want to blame Blake, also blame the culture that thinks loyalty for past success is a good thing.

He should play more, but he’s done absolutely nothing to suggest that he should be starting.

1) the amount of Minutes given to Blake
2) Roy’s shooting percentage.

put those two things together and no mater what Roy says Blake and Roy are not as effective together as he thinks.