Steve Blake Discussion: Out Indefinitely (p. 102)

gcclaker wrote:

therealdeal wrote:^ Absolutely. It's going to be great knowing that if someone gets a shot on Blake, he's not going to come back down the court and make a brash decision to try to get back at him. He'll just run the offense as usual and find an open man.

That's a good point about Lamar being able to be more selfish. That made me think, maybe that's why he's been so much more comfortable looking in the offense? Sure, his confidence is also at an all-time high, but now that I think of it, maybe he just likes that he's able to have a little of the pressure taken off of him.

While not as athletic in comparison [but not by much] Blake is ACTUALLY a better defender than Farmar was who had the tools but not the desire. He will chase his assignment instead of trailing and relying on help off rotations. So that exchange might not be so prominent as before.

On offense with Blake initiating, the others on the floor can run their cuts, go to their spots and be given opportunities. Coincidentally, Farmar who is in a looser system looks better by being able to improvise. Blake can look to find Odom on the wings...Brown on the open floor and Barnes or Vujacic on the perimeter. It's like having Walton's discipline at the guard spot only it's a real guard.

Couldn't agree more about Blake's defense. The guy is a workhorse and will never give up defensively like Farmar would at times. Blake may not be a great defender, but he's certainly capable.

Agreed on the second point as well.

I'm glad this thread was started, I think Blake will important for us these next couple of years. He runs the offense, is a solid decision maker and hits his jumpers.

I think we finally found the true heir for our man D-Fish.

SPARK

dude with a game winner in his first game in P&G

His first game as a Laker he hits a game winner!!!!

How freaking awesome is that?

Awesome game. I won't be missing Farmar And to see him on the court in the 4th.... good stuff

He just does everything we need. 3pt shooting, ball movement/creating, good defense.

Hits the game winning three and has the game saving block

Already one of my favorite players on the team. Hugely underlooked upgrade for any team this offseason.

how weird to see Fish on the bench at the end of the fourth..and how cool to see someone filling in as clutch as Blake just did

I love this guy

huge debut for him....the 3ball was automatic...and thank god, unlike Fisher he has a pretty quick release.

all his 3s were CLUTCH...2 of them brought us back in the game and the last sealed the deal.

also very good D on Brooks.

Had a great game tonight. I'm trying to think of a single play where he made a bad choice. Hits the game winning three and clutch defense on the final play. No complaints here.

Steve made me a believer tonight

Clutch and consistently consistent.

im looking forward to more blake-brown-bryant-odom-gasol

Blake is going to have to come up big against team with quick guards.

Man, we're rooting for Steve real quick.

I love Fish but at his old age he can have some subpar performances. We never had a guy who could come in and fill in like Blake did tonight. Now this is just a small sample, so I am interested if he can keep this up.

Do you guys think this can be a regular, Fish on the bench for the 4th and Blake in?

Blake being able to at least keep the speedier Brooks in front of him with help from the bigs who were able to flash then recover was instrumental in that third quarter. He did not lag on the screens. Blake was there during the crunch time.

Honestly, Phil surprised me tonight by leaving Blake out there to close. Last year, Fish would have been back in there.

He must have finally realized that he had to trust Blake because Fish was going to get his lunch eaten by Brooks.

Blake is an intelligent defender too....it's not just that he's younger or quicker than Fish.

Aside from the game winner, the thing I appreciated the most was Blakes control as a TRUE PG.
Example:
There was a possesion in I think the 3rd quarter.
Him and Gasol was setting a pick and roll play. It didn't work. Blake got the ball back, and instead of driving in or settling for the jump shot, he remained calm and went right back to the pick and roll. Although Gasol missed the open jumper, it showed me that he has that True PG quality about him. he's patient.

Compared to Farmar, this is a BIG upgrade. Farmar would do that same play, and if it didn't work he would force something to happen. And for every one good play Farmar would make, he would make two bad plays. Blake was just consistent and patient w/ his play. That same play I described above, Farmar would've drove in, missed the lay up or jacked up a 3 or just turn it over.

Steve freakin' Blake. I'm excited for our bench this year.