I'm glad steve finally found his range. We needed it. He's fitting in nicely while COMING OFF THE BENCH
Hmm interesting that he is producing now that he is were he belongs...On the bench. And he is producing like the kind of player he is, a bench player that can come off the bench and hit shots.
Sure looks like all the clueless internet dolts who have been saying for weeks that Miller should start and Blake should come off the bench were right. Both players are playing better, producing more, and the team is winning now that they are playing their proper roles. Too bad it took losing half the team to injuries to force our coach to use his personnel correctly. BNM
Bingo. Prior to 08-09, Blake was a streak shooter - and he seems to have returned to that. He is valuable, as long as you ride him when he is hot, and limit his role when he isn't. Sometimes, Nate is too stubborn/loyal for his own good. He built this season's game plan around the idea that Blake would replicate last season's level of consistency. It was a questionable gamble, and it took him way too long to admit he might be wrong. Some folks, myself included, have been hard on Blake....but in my more rational moments, I have to admit that the real problem is how Nate has been using him. In the correct role, he can help the team.
Blake has been sent to the bench where he belongs, and he has produced. He has benefited from all of the attention Bayless and Roy get on offense.
The thing is, Blake is essentially a 6'3" small forward when he's out there in this configuration, and even though he's starting to get his touch back from range, it makes you wonder if this is really the best rotation going forward? It leaves a ton to be desired defensively with Roy at the 3, Jerryd guarding twos and Blake covering ones in the closing minutes of a game. If anything this three guard lineup seems to be as much an indictment of Martell's streaky shooting and up and down play on defense, as anything.
Well, personally, Bayless should be starting over Miller, since he does what Miller does, but with defense and outside shooting. I did advocate Miller starting over Blake, however, but Miller isn't exactly excelling in that role right now. Which is why, I suppose, that Bayless and Blake now play in crunch time, while Miller leads cheers from the bench.
Miller seems to be playing a little better. My opinion, however, is that it has nothing to do with who starts and who finishes, he slowly seems to be getting into NBA game shape. If you look at his PER/efficiency, it is the same as it was at the start of the year. It is just that he is not featured as much on the offense, and it does not take so much from Roy's game that we do not get upset about it. Steve is playing better because the game plan changed, instead of force feeding Oden (which was probably wrong to do, go to him more than last year, sure, force feed him - not so much), the offense goes around Roy, as it should be, and Roy sets Steve up. It is pretty clear that this team's defensive anchor should be Oden, and it's offensive engine should be Roy. Involve Oden more on offense? Sure. Run the offense through Roy - however, is the real answer.
Check and Mate. I know no one who is against Blake being used in his proper role. With Roy and Bayless occupying the defense, Blake has been effective off the bench, where he belongs. Good for him.
BLANKY is still finishing games. The only difference is that Miller plays most of the first quarter now. BLANKY'S actual role has not change a bit; he's just starting to make the shots he made last season.
Blake doesn't seem to handle the ball nearly as much, which is a good thing. His role is more closer to Webster's now, and I commend McMillan for making the adjustment.
I would rather have Blake off the bench punching in those threes than leaving it up to Martell, at least until Martell starts to hit shots, if ever.
I'll jump on board . . . this idea that Blake can only shine by coming off the bench isn't accurate, IMO. Just last year he had a career year as a starter. Blake was in a funk and has shot his way out of it as most shooters do (or go down trying). He could have done it starting or coming off the bench. I could maybe see the mental thing of feeling the pressure of Miller and Bayless itching to come in on each miss. But to me that is a chemistry thing. Blake, as a player, can hit the three and contribute the way he has as either a starter or bench player. (He can also suck as either a starter or a bench player)
Blake's move to the bench probably had as much to do with finding a balanced rotation with so many injured players as it did with anything else. If you're looking at a second unit with Bayless, Cunningham, and Pendergraph, you're going to need someone familiar with Nate's system who can stretch the defense out there. In other words, Blake. I wouldn't be surprised to see Blake return to the starting lineup when Rudy returns, if Miller is playing shaky.
owned! Grant is becoming the new MIXUM. And MIXUM is becoming cool actually. Grant what is your deal bro? Are you having hard times lately? If you need a homie to talk to, holler at me. Oh, and well done Blake. Glad to see you back!
I think that Blake relaxed once the rotation was established. He was pushing it too hard when starting in order to try and attempt to keep his job. Now he can relax, watch the game a little bit, and come off the bench where he is comfortable.
