Steve Blake is putting up career highs in Los Angeles
By Ryan Donoho
When the Lakers signed Steve Blake a few years ago, they thought they were getting a serviceable backup point guard, but he was disappointing. Coming into last season, he was injured, and wasn’t able to lead the second unit. When Blake came back, he started to change the opinions of Laker fans.
Blake came in and played well, often starting while Steve Nash was injured. He was hitting 3’s at a high rate, and he looked like the guy they expected him to be. This season, Blake has been in the starting lineup next to Steve Nash, and now as the primary point guard while Nash is out with nerve damage. He is putting up a career high in assists at 7 per game, and is shooting a blistering 46% from beyond the arc. He is also getting the ball moving for a team that is playing well on offense:
In his last 3 games as the starting PG, Steve Blake is assisting on 47.4% of the Lakers' baskets when he's on the floor.
— Darius Soriano (@forumbluegold) November 18, 2013
Btw, only 12 guys have had an assist % over 47 (min. 40 games played that year). Names like Magic, Stockton, Nash, CP3, Zeke, Rondo, Deron.
— Darius Soriano (@forumbluegold) November 18, 2013
Blake is a scrappy guy who could be showing teams what he can do, or show the Lakers that he wants to stay in LA after this season. Oh yeah, he’s been a good defender as well:
Also, when Blake plays PG he's holding opposing PG's to a PER of 10.9. That's not the end all, be all stat. But it's not irrelevant either.
— Darius Soriano (@forumbluegold) November 18, 2013
He isn’t Magic Johnson, but he’s playing well so far.