The next step for Blake

[BigTime]

What do you guys think Blake really needs to improve on to take his game to the next level?

Mine:

- Defense - taking pride in not letting his guy get easy baskets, lateral quickness, timing. He already does a nice job of bodying guys up but if he could add some technique and effort to his halfcourt D then he could be a real difference maker in the middle.

- Rotational Defense - Time and time again I would watch Blake be late or not rotate in the Clippers defensive sets. I realize he didn't get a strong base with that here at OU but he has got to improve.

- Turnaround Jumpers- He is a real throwback guy when it comes to using the glass and I would love to see him add a fake spin turnaround J so that defenders can't just assume that he is taking it hard to the rack. Some half hooks with both hands would be nice as well.

- FT shooting - more consistent. I have little doubt that he will improve on this year after year in the league. Works too hard and has the focus and drive to get it done at the line.

What do you think?

 

[JHop71]

Uniform - change that ugly LA on his chest to OKC.

 

[jerry]

Absolutely defense. It seems if he scores 25 he gives up 25. Would love to see him be a defensive factor. He should be a shot blocking machine with his " hops"

 

[OKURanger]

Defense. If he truly wants to become one of the greats, this is the next thing he needs to become known for. Further, if he's playing hard on defense, then his teammates have no choice but to do the same.

 

[Sooner79]

I've watched several NBA games this year for the first time in 20 years and I haven't seen anyone play defense yet. Why should Blake have to be the first to play it?

 

[thebigabd]

I've watched several NBA games this year for the first time in 20 years and I haven't seen anyone play defense yet. Why should Blake have to be the first to play it?

Ridiculous.

- FT shooting - more consistent. I have little doubt that he will improve on this year after year in the league. Works too hard and has the focus and drive to get it done at the line.

#1

 

[campbest]

I've watched several NBA games this year for the first time in 20 years and I haven't seen anyone play defense yet. Why should Blake have to be the first to play it?

Comical.

 

[NickZepp]

Regular season you might have a point. Come playoff time it's all about defense.

 

[stanley11]

Comical.

Agree whole-heartedly. Jay Bilas pointed it out best in his article yesterday on the "charge circle" by saying that if the NBA doesn't play defense then why do guys like Adam Morrison and JJ Red**** average 25 a game in college and then can't even find the floor in the NBA.

I will also agree that Blake's next step is to upgrade his defense to the point of even being average. He is one of the poorer defenders in the league right now if you base his defensive effort/productiveness versus his physical attributes and capabilities.

 

[SilliSooner]

I've watched several NBA games this year for the first time in 20 years and I haven't seen anyone play defense yet. Why should Blake have to be the first to play it?

You can say what you wish but I think the defensive play in the NBA may even be more pure than in college ball.

Two things make it more difficult to play interior defense in the NBA yet the guys still excel. The two restrictions are defensive three-seconds and taking charges outside a restricted area.

Both rules makes sense but they also make defense a lot harder than in college. In college there was no charge restricted area (changing this year) so it made a charge-blocking call more of a referee judgment call.

Defensive three seconds is a technical foul in the NBA. Why should the offensive players be restricted in the lane if a defensive man can just park there? Once a post player receives the ball and may be backing the defender, three seconds isn't called. It's only for parking when the ball may still be out on the wings.

I've attended 14 Thunder games this year and have watched inside play very carefully. Defense is being played plus it's against the most adept offensive players in the world. Every post player in the league has a drop step, executes a crisp pick-and-roll, jump hook with either hand, can dunk from standing position yet there are guys playing excellent defense.

Watch the footwork and positioning by Collison and Ibaka for a game and you'll appreciate how hard they're working. Every possession is a dogfight.

Blake can up his defensive game after studying the offensive habits of his opponents. But I think he's been told not to take too many charges nor go for many blocks to stay out of foul trouble. They expect he might get three calls per game against him just on his drives to the basket.

 

[brettromar]

Get the HITCH out of his shot. That is why he struggles at the FT line so much. When he hitches, he shoots a lower percentage. It has been that way since I have seen him growing up.

Defense, he plays defense the same way he did at OU. STAY OUT OF FOUL TROUBLE. He won't be a shot blocker with his short wingspan, but he can be much better on that end.

 

[campbest]

You can say what you wish but I think the defensive play in the NBA may even be more pure than in college ball.

Two things make it more difficult to play interior defense in the NBA yet the guys still excel. The two restrictions are defensive three-seconds and taking charges outside a restricted area.

Both rules makes sense but they also make defense a lot harder than in college. In college there was no charge restricted area (changing this year) so it made a charge-blocking call more of a referee judgment call.

Defensive three seconds is a technical foul in the NBA. Why should the offensive players be restricted in the lane if a defensive man can just park there? Once a post player receives the ball and may be backing the defender, three seconds isn't called. It's only for parking when the ball may still be out on the wings.

I've attended 14 Thunder games this year and have watched inside play very carefully. Defense is being played plus it's against the most adept offensive players in the world. Every post player in the league has a drop step, executes a crisp pick-and-roll, jump hook with either hand, can dunk from standing position yet there are guys playing excellent defense.

Watch the footwork and positioning by Collison and Ibaka for a game and you'll appreciate how hard they're working. Every possession is a dogfight.

Blake can up his defensive game after studying the offensive habits of his opponents. But I think he's been told not to take too many charges nor go for many blocks to stay out of foul trouble. They expect he might get three calls per game against him just on his drives to the basket.

This.

Throw in the no hand checking rule and no on-ball pressure count, makes it difficult to stop people one-on-one.

Blake is probably one of the worst defensive PFs in the league, his help-side is laughable. His defense improvements will drastically help the Clippers, not only at the PF position, but having a defensive center (Jordan) will allow either one to roam free in the paint. There is no reason Blake should not be cleaning up coming of the weak side with a player like Jordan helping out. Vice versa for Jordan if Blake improves.

 

[Dr Sleep]

Just win a title.:bgriff624_jpg_xs: