The true value of the LA Lakers' Steve Blake

Steve Blake

At the beginning of the of 2013-14 NBA season, fans of the Los Angeles Lakers learned that they would be without star Kobe Bryant for a significant period of time as a result of off-season surgery on his torn Achilles tendon. Soon after the season started, Lakers also lost veteran point guard and two-time league MVP Steve Nash to a foot injury. With the loss of two of the Lakers’ most valued players, a large void has been left for other players to step up and assume responsibility.

So far, Jordan Hill has emerged as the big contributor for the Lakers, with his recent outburst of 24 points and 17 rebounds against the Detroit Pistons career-highs. While the play of Hill on offense and defense is a tremendous boost for the Purple and Gold, I would argue that Steve Blake is the most important player for Los Angeles right now.

The generously listed 6’3 guard resembles more of a string bean than anything else, with lanky arms to complement his wiry frame. However, his impact and leadership on this Lakers team has been invaluable. While his overall play has blossomed, it has been his play-making and passing abilities that makes him such a valuable asset.

In his last four games, Blake has averaged double-digit assist numbers, including a monster night against the Pistons on Sunday, where he dished out 16, including a couple of highlight-reel alley-oops to Wesley Johnson. As well as that, he has hit big shots for Los Angeles, making a game-winning three against the Houston Rockets earlier on in the season, a role primarily reserved for Bryant (side note: Blake also hit the game-winner for Los Angeles against Houston on opening night in his debut season in 2010). Blake has kept this offense rolling, making the smart passes and playing outstounding defense (he leads the Lakers in steals per game with 1.1).

Steve Blake’s jersey was retired by the University of Maryland at the start of the ’03-04 season.

Steve Blake is a University of Maryland product, a Florida native who currently holds the fifth place record for most assists ever in the NCAA with 972. After leading the Terrapins to the final four in 2001 and the championship game in 2002, Blake’s jersey was retired at the beginning of the ’03-04 season, the 15th to ever be retired by the Univeristy of Maryland.

The 38th pick of the 2003 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards, Blake averaged six points and three asissts in his rookie season. He bounced around the league for six years, playing for theDenver Nuggets, Portland Trailblazers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Los Angeles Clippersbefore he found a home playing for the Lakers. While he was playing for the Clippers, Blake tied an NBA record for most assists in a quarter with 14.

Since becoming a Laker, Blake has been plagued by more than his fair share of injuries, resulting in his inability to play an entire season in the last three years. Blake also struggled to find a role in the offenses of Mike Brown and Phil Jackson, the last two coaches for the league’s most storied franchise. However, upon the implementation of current coach, Mike D’Antoni’s offense, Blake has felt more comfortable as he thrives in a D’Anotni’s quick style of play. His play has steadily improved since the beginning of last season, until an abdominal and hamstring injury ended his season early.

Right now, Blake is lights out from beyond the arc. He’s shooting 46.4% on close to five shots a game! His hot hand is a primary reason defenders are playing up on him and keeping him honest, which allows Pau Gasol and Hill to operate in the paint. Blake is also taking care of the ball, posting a 4:1 assist to turnover ratio. This is better than Chris Paul, Ricky Rubio, and John Wall, the current assists leaders in the NBA. And for all you Steve haters out there who say that those three players are on the court more than Blake, I’ll have you know that Steve Blake is averaging and has played more minutes than any other Laker so far this season.

Steve Blake needs to keep up his improved play if the Lakers have a whisper of a chance at getting to the playoffs this season. Los Angeles is currently 5-7, but has played more games than any other team this year. They’re in a tough division, trailing the Clippers, Phoenix Suns, andGolden State Warriors, but we’re glad that Blake has become a bright spot on a so-far disappointing season.