Steve Blake: The Right Hand Man

by johnv59 on Mar 14, 2009 9:21 AM PDT

It's an old saying, but what is a Right Hand Man? I offer you Wikipedia's definition:

Unlike yes man, the term right hand man has positive connotations. Some[who?] assert that the term is based on the fact that most people are right-handed. Understood this way, the term refers to one who has the responsibility, knowledge and understanding, authority and ability to implement a plan articulated by one in a position of authority.

The term right hand man may also be based on the idea of a king having his adviser sit at his right side. Understood this way, the term refers to one who informs and advises a person in a position of authority, instead of one who implements the plans of authority.

In Ancient Greece, soldiers typically fought in a formation called a phalanx, where co-operation between soldiers was vital. Each soldier carried his shield on his left side, while his right side was protected by the man standing to his right. Understood this way, the term refers to one who is indisposable; a protector.

A biblical explanation also exists; in the King James Version of the Bible, Jesus is said to be "at the right hand of the Father (God). see Mark 16:19. Luke 22:69. Acts 2:33. Acts 5:31. Acts 7:55. Acts 7:56. This reference, in light of the whole of the biblical narrative, casts Jesus as either or both an implementor of a plan and/or one who is indisposable.

I like the battle version, and I think that the warfield leaders stood to the right of their commanders while he scratched out battle plans on some writing device; being that close visually, seeing that the commander was probably right handed, offered you the best view of the scratching ("from the commander's eye view") - and if you were real bold you could grab his wrist and change his planning.

With all that said, now watch every Blazer huddle during time outs, etc. and notice that Steve Blake is almost always standing immediately to the right of Coach Nate, seriously. I think there is something to this. We've heard that Coach and Blake "click well", and we already know how poorly we play without Blake, I think he is a little more valuable than we all give him credit for. Anyway, watch those huddles and see if anyone tries to take Blake's spot as the right hand man. Maybe it's just a point guard thing....

However, I coached baseball for many years and noticed my player-leader would often come to the huddles and stand to my right while I talked. And, I've also noticed the Right Hand Man scenario in corporate staff meetings.

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Comments

He's underrated for sure.

I dream about him coming off the bench, but I guess you can’t get too greedy.

by Nick Van Excellent on Mar 14, 2009 9:33 AM PDT reply actions

We need a new one

Who doesn’t choke in the clutch.

Stay Healthy.
Sign Nate Robinson RFA
Win Championship !

by Air Norv on Mar 14, 2009 10:59 AM PDT reply actions

Nobody choked more than MJ.

But nobody was more clutch either. Blake will be a fine backup PG. As good as Joel at C, I think.

I’m very happy that he’s here, and think his absence earlier this year pointed out how much we benefit from his play. Just wait until Jerryd beats him out! We’ll be exceptional to have Steve, Joel, Nic/Martell and Rudy joining Travis as a second team quite capable of defeating half the teams in the NBA.

Perfect practice makes perfect.

by Ojala John on Mar 14, 2009 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions

I find it weird

Bayless can’t beat out Steve Blake, but Westbrook can beat out Earl Watson.

Stay Healthy.
Sign Nate Robinson RFA
Win Championship !

by Air Norv on Mar 14, 2009 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions

different team philosophy

better to go with youth for OKC, secure another high lottery pick and plan for the future. We don’t have that “luxury”.

by Jiggamant on Mar 14, 2009 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions

Steve Blake > Earl Watson

Portland > OKC
Steve Blake > Earl Watson….

Portland is already winning, Steve Blake right now is a well-rounded player who has good chemistry with Roy and the other starters. Nate is not in a position to just throw in JB to the lineup because he knows JB is more the future than Blake is right now. Nate is a DEVELOPER of talent and wants to bring JB along at a certain pace. Which I understand and applaud. Both Nate and KP are sticking to their guns on the timeline of this young bunch and thier plans to put the right pieces together, yet still continue to progressively move everyone’s development along.

Earl Watson was decent, and I think every aspect of Blakes game is much better than Watson’s. That being said, The Culture, The Timeline and The Development of the Blazers wouldn’t fully benefit from Bayless being thrown to the wolves. How much harder would success be if Bayless started every game? More turnovers, less assists, more mental mistakes…. instead, Bayless is learning patience and his need to WORK for his job in the pro’s.

Bayless’s lack of ability to “beat out” Blake is due to opportunity much more than ability, unlike Westbrooks situation for Earl Watson. OKC is ultimately a new franchise at the bottom of the barrel so why wouldn’t they go with the FUTURE NOW. They don’t have any responsibility to players who are as far along as Aldridge and Roy, who benefit from the steady play of a Blake. At this point Westbrook looks great, but he has also been given every opportunity to play and go all out. His errors don’t get picked apart because his team is “supposed” to lose right now, so there is no downside having him in the lineup.

I am sure if Jerryd Bayless played for a team like that that his name would be HOT around the NBA because the kid can flat out score and his fast break finishes are a highlight reel waiting to happen. That is what gets people recognition, and Bayless has tons of it.

by Portland Dynasty on Mar 14, 2009 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Great post

It adds to the many reasons I think he stays in Portland a long time. I don’t see him being the player another team insists he is in a trade and there are enough other players to make up any salary issues. KP loves him and I think Nate trusts him almost as much as he trusts Roy. He’s cheap, he wants to stay and live in Portland, and I could see the point where the Blazers have the best back up center and point guard in the league.

Are you following me camera guy? That's why I don't do 360 dunks anymore.

by Dragline on Mar 14, 2009 11:47 AM PDT reply actions

I don´t like the expression. Different country, different story.

The left-handed kids in Spain were forced to write with their right hand until the sixth decade of the last Century by a scholar system controlled by the Catholic Church.

Nobody expected the Spanish Inquisition.

Sergio + Rudy = 16
Sergio + Bayless = 16
Batum 8+8=16

by amlmart1 on Mar 14, 2009 11:49 AM PDT reply actions

My stepmom told me my grandma would slap my left hand if I tried to eat with it

I don’t remember it and I’m still left handed. I never thought it was a big deal and then in my 30’s it seems like when I met other left handed people, they thought we had some sort of connection. I don’t know the full history of left-handed suppression though.

Are you following me camera guy? That's why I don't do 360 dunks anymore.

by Dragline on Mar 14, 2009 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions

My Dad

back in the late 40’s – 50’s was left handed and then forced by his teachers to use his right hand. Strange story – he talked a lot about it. But, he told me when he was in the bathroom with the door closed he was left handed in all matters, and when he fought in Korea they didn’t care what handed he was as long as he could shoot the gun.

There is probably no more terrible instance of enlightenment than the one in which you discover your father is a man — with human flesh.
Paul Muad'Dib - Dune (Frank Herbert)

My Translation: My Dad is a dude just like me, and my sons are dudes like me also. I love that.
Season Tix: Section 315, with my sons

by johnv59 on Mar 14, 2009 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions

My mom's a "natural" lefty

who writes right.

Things she learned as an adult (like kind of oddly, softball), she does left handed.

by Section323 on Mar 14, 2009 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions

On the other hand, Rafael Nadal is a natural left handed who learnt to play tennis left-handed when he was about 11-12 years old, encouraged by his trainer.

Sergio + Rudy = 16
Sergio + Bayless = 16
Batum 8+8=16

by amlmart1 on Mar 14, 2009 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Sorry, "a natural right handed"

Sergio + Rudy = 16
Sergio + Bayless = 16
Batum 8+8=16

by amlmart1 on Mar 14, 2009 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Yea

I read a story about that. How strange.

There is probably no more terrible instance of enlightenment than the one in which you discover your father is a man — with human flesh.
Paul Muad'Dib - Dune (Frank Herbert)

My Translation: My Dad is a dude just like me, and my sons are dudes like me also. I love that.
Season Tix: Section 315, with my sons

by johnv59 on Mar 14, 2009 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions