While he's not a top-tiered PG, he's solid. Very solid. And, he's still the most "qualified" to run this team - right now. I dare say that, with him in the game last night, we would have beaten the Cavs. Sergio and Jerry'd have such contrasting styles, I wonder if it's hard on their team-mates to continually have to adjust to their games? There's certainly nothing fancy about Blake's game, but he's a real steady-eddie and seems to provide the little things - a nice shot here, a pass there, decent defense - when they're needed most. Hear me, though: I'm NOT saying that Blake is the "long-term" answer at PG, I'm simply saying that I miss him at this point in time.
I don't know if we would've won with Blake, but it would have given us a little better chance during the second half when we were missing a ton of momentum-changing 3s that Blake usually makes. Sergio and Jerryd had one three-pointer between them, and Blake is certainly a better defender than both. But of course, the Cavs were without Big Z and Delonte, so... they're just flat out a better team than us. When you've got LeBron cooking like he was, there's no beating them. Now I know how Detroit fans feel like when he torched them in that playoff game a few years back.
Blake is having a career year and fits in well with this team . . . I'm surprised he doesn't get more love on this board.
He certainly would have help when we had to go without a PG, though I like Roy playing PG at times, I'd much rather have another player bring it up the court.
I agree. When you think about it, Blake does not make many mistakes. I realize there is a learning curve for Bayless and to a lesser degree Sergio, and we have to be patient, but it's still nice having someone who is past that point. I never joined the Blake Bashing. Funny, Damon was bashed for being a score first, now Blake hears it for being pass first. I think some people just like to gripe; a Blazer could be the second coming of Oscar Robinson, Magic Johnson, John Stockton, Steve Nash and Chris Paul all rolled into one and the first time the Blazers lose a game SOMEONE will say he sucks. But I hate that haircut. Ugh.
LeBron James is the best player in the NBA right now, and if he doesn't win MVP it will be a shock. I was looking at the mediocre players out there with him last night and it hit me. James is basically unstoppable at this point; no one player can guard him, and he shreds double teams by hitting open shooters. It was a privilege to watch him play last night. 34 pts, 14 assists, and 7 rebounds. Blake wouldn't have made a difference IMO. Roy struggled, and thus so did the team.
I agree they are the better team, but remember, we are not just missing Blake, but our starting SF also. Playing so long without Webster, we tend to forget about him. I think that Z and Delonte are about on par with Blake and Webster when all healthy.
I don't know if I can include Webster in that because we still don't know how he fits into this team yet. And Z is a big-time center and an All-Star I think, so it's hard to compare their losses to ours. Cleveland is just really deep, and actually have some good players to fit around LeBron. We'd have to play our absolute best every time out to beat them.
I agree that the Blazers have to play their best to beat the Cavs, but I was just saying that it's not because the injuries to the Blazers or the Cavs. It's because LeBron is better than Roy, Aldridge and Oden all together. As far as Z, he is a decent center but nothing great. Of the 4 players injured, I would say Z is the best, then Blake, then Webster (although he has the most upside) and lastly West (who is actually turning into a decent player). All four of those players are good enough to really help a team, but nothing so special that some other player shouldn't just step up in their place.
As far as missing Blake, I kind of agree, kind of disagree. I think he would help the team if her were playing, and I miss that. There is no question in my mind that at this moment in time, Blake is the best of our three PG's, especially at getting the right people involved and at doing the small things. But on the other hand, I think Blake being out has really allowed Nate and KP (us as well) a much better look at Bayless and Sergio and get a good feel for their likely future. Sergio I don't ever see being an average or better Starter in the NBA. He will become a good BU or lousy Starter, but I think that is most likely his future. But Bayless on the other hand has really got me excited. That boy can play. Will he fit with the Blazers, that is the question I am still pondering, but I have no doubt that he will be an above average starter in the league, and a possible all star someday. Blake being out has not only given us a chance to evaluate Bayless, but it has also given Bayless a chance to prove his worth and earn some minutes once Blake comes back. Sergio, sad to say, but his butt will be glued to the pine by seasons end.
I wouldn't say Blake is a "pass first" PG anymore - by no means. He's got the green light and he fires up a lot of shots. The criticism of Blake is that he's not a penetrator who can help get shots for others - or even himself. He actually needs others to set HIM up. He gets absolutely killed on the pick-n-roll defensively (presumably b/c he's not strong enough to fight through a pick and not quick enough to run over or under it) The Clipper game is hard to forget too. I know he's had a hand in winning several other games, including the big shot at Toronto. But, how does a guy who (at the time) shoots 96% miss 4/5 FT's in the last minute? It was a choke job and if we miss the playoffs by 1 game - I know it will be the first game I think of. That said - I think we miss him right now. He really helps Roy b/c you can't cheat another guy over to stop penetration when Blake's in there. He's a deadly spot up shooter. I think Blake would be a phenominal b/u PG. Not that you can't win with him - San Antonio won with Avery Johnson. The Lakers won with Derek Fisher. Blake can be mentioned with those guys IMHO. But if we are to win with Blake, Roy/Oden/LA would have to be dominant. I really like Bayless, but I don't see him as a PG. He can soak up some minutes there, but he needs to be attacking the basket to be successful. And he's not a spot up shooter - he's a rhythm jump shooter, and it doesn't look like he has 3 point NBA range yet (college 3 point? he was good) Yes, I miss Blake too right now.
This team shot way too many three's in the Cleveland game WITHOUT Blake. I'm scared to even think how many we would have shot WITH him.
Oregonlive brought up a good stat today because you guys know I like to read/post about stats. Steve Blake makes the difference in the team for 3pt %. His ppg have gone up this year compared to last year. This is how much of an impact he makes. Heres some other stats: I miss his long ball as I think other players (RUDY, ROY, Outlaw) were feeding off his energy and launched them effectively as well.
Thats nice if you like the long ball. There is no doubt that right now he is the most consistent out of the PG types shooting the long ball. But I don't think that is necessarily good for the team. I view attacking the rim and feeding the big men as the most important thing. The Blazers take too many 3 pointers, and missed 3 pointers lead to bad things for your team. You will notice that with Sergio and Bayless out there, they just don't take that many 3 pointers. You will also note, that Bayless gets to the line about 5 times as often as Blake does in a per minute basis. That is a huge difference in putting pressure on the defensive interior. You can't break down a defense very well if you can't penetrate the paint. I know Blake isn't a top PG, he is the "steady hand". But if you look at all of the best PG in the league, can you name one, who doesn't penetrate the paint and attack? Paul, Nash, Deron Williams, Tony Parker, Mo Williams, you name them. They attack the paint.
