Steve Blake, An Ascending Player

March 17, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers point guard Steve Nash (10) and point guard Steve Blake (5) celebrate during the 113-102 victory against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

2.  There’s a Steve Nash flair to his game.  Perhaps it is the pick and roll play, but now, Blake probes the defense all the way through, far more often.  Sometimes the defense will cut him off at the baseline.  Other times, he’s able to drive all the way through the defense and get from one side of the court to the other.  This draws in the defense, usually big men in the painted area, and sets up a center or power forward for a shot in the paint.  This doesn’t just happen once or twice a play.  He demonstrates the type of energy Nash used to display during his MVP years.  Blake is constantly looking to penetrate the defense.  He’s constantly looking to draw in defenders to where he is.  This always leaves someone open for it, and players like Jodie Meeks and Jordan Hill have been recipients of that high energy, dribble-penetration style of play.  The triangle offense drew in defenders at predictable places in the post.  Blake does it, wherever he is on the court.