Steve Blake, An Ascending Player

Apr 12, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Mike D

1.  He’s a coach’s player.  Pick-and-roll playis more suited to his game.  He used this play late in the clock since his University of Maryland days and was highly effective with it.  He wasn’t able to implement it as well within the triangle offensive set or with bigmen that lacked range, but now, he’s able to set the spacing properly.  Pick and roll situations not only occur 21′ away from the basket, but also from baseline to baseline, and at times, 17′ and in.  This allows him to set up the bigman for a layup without taking a dribble.  Straight line drives and quick shots in the paint are the highest percentage shots from pick and roll play.  Jordan Hill has been a favorite target.  He keeps his feet active, finds the gap in the offense, and rolls strong to the basket.  When the defense is crowded in the paint, Steve Blake will throw the pocket pass between two defenders, and Jordan Hill will shoot a jump-hook from 5′ and in.