Hoops

Steve Blake leaves Kings, returns home

Yeah I agree the bigger need is a lockdown defender... Would be good to have a player out there that we can chuck at opposition guards as it's a tough ask to get Kev to constantly work that hard at both ends... Blake would get constantly beaten by the players he was guarding, especially that last game against the 36ers...

Problem would be if Cadee or Lisch went down with injury. Newley can handle it OK, but not sure I want to be down to one true ball-handler.

http://audioboom.com/posts/5339894-gaze-it-s-highly-unlikely-steve-blake-will-return-to-the-nbl

Gaze on EON sports radio, sounded like he was pretty sure of how Blake will decide on his future with the Kings.

@AngusH Not sure if backup ballhandler is what they really need mate. Cadee did quite ok doing what Blake was doing before his arrival, Newley and Whittington seemed pretty capable bringing up the ball as well. Both did quite a bit of that when they press deny the guards.

I think they would do better with a decent athletic defender that can lock down opposing quick guards and can slash/dribble penetrate ala Marvelle Harris putting opponents under foul pressure. They're a nightmare to guard when defending teams in bonus foul problem.

Blake had looked better to me the last couple of games. Actually turned down a few of the 'not quite open' looks on Monday that he had been firing up previously. Still don't know why we ran so few pick-and-rolls with him and Powell, and why we didn't have him playing on the ball more in general. He's not really a spot up shooter, but that's exactly how he played him.

I'm assuming he's not back, in which case we need a backup ball handler pretty badly.

Sounds like they are searching for a replacement asap based on above.

Kings waiting on Blake:

The club is hopeful Blake, 36, who replaced Michael Bryson, could return, the Kings having no plans to find a replacement.

“There’s definitely no plans afoot to bring in anyone new,” Kings communications manager Jeremy Hartcher said.

“Right now the club is just trying to give Steve as much space as he needs without feeling any pressure.

“We’re definitely waiting, and hoping, he will be back.”

sure - but you will admit that on the face of it "Looks like this site has dropped the ball again." needs a :) after it , else it reads as just a trolling complaint.

all good

Just asked the question. Didn't mean to cause offence. Sheesh!

The point about the site dropping the ball was only that there had been more comments on the post before I looked, and they had all disappeared. It was nothing about the OP.

Didn't have time to google, but happy to doubt the veracity and post

@Very Old - no joke on me, I was just responding to a post I didn't have time to research the veracity of, and was looking for a reference. Thanks to @paul for providing one.

I am disappointed to see him go but he didn't really get close to delivering what most had hoped.

Arhhh, the NBL where not even unwanted NBA players are wanted. (Now if only he had been better equipped to deal with a full court press).

But seriously, I wish him all the best and I hope his reasons for returning home do not prove to be overly problematic for him and his family.

In his 8 games with the Kings Blake averaged 5.9ppg, 2.5rpg, 2apg shooting 29% from the field and 27% on 3pts.

One rumour is he's headed home to nurse his sick ankles after Adam Doyle put him on skates ;-)

Every import released due to poor performance has a personal matter to attend to.

Yes, and in theory was all he delivered!

"Kings need someone more athletic in the backcourt anyway. If they can pick up a 3&D SG to come off the bench I think they'll be better balanced."

I think this is what Michael Bryson was meant to provide (in theory at least).

if I was going to sign a retired NBA cheapish point guard I would go Jannero Pargo. Great shooter whose a gun from 3. Would shoot the pants off blake.

His heart was never in it and it showed.

He was nothing like the player we all knew.

He was a good presence to have but his on court production could be matched by most imports they can find. The big x factor for this kings team is the eventual return of Julian Khazzouh

Kings press release says it is a private matter

Watch Cadee's production go back to 20+ vs Hawks now.

Kings need someone more athletic in the backcourt anyway. If they can pick up a 3&D SG to come off the bench I think they'll be better balanced.

I thought to myself then he would leave

You sure it's not because he's on the bench in crucial parts of the game? I say have a look at the united game . And there is a point late in the 4th when the camera is on Gaze, Steve Blake behind him can be seen burinig a hole in the back of Gaze's head visably annoyed.

Freethrows --- search is your friend ;)

looks like the joke may be on you.


http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/86972791/Slumping-Sydney-Kings-lose-star-import-Steve-Blake

Looks like the ball has been picked up again Free Throws:

http://www.foxsports.com.au/basketball/sydney-kings-loss-to-nbl-cellar-dwellers-adelaide-compounded-by-nba-stars-return-to-america/news-story/704892553c065c678cc95fa1b2ac34b3

Looks like this site has dropped the ball again. The obvious question is: where's your proof?
Do you have a source, or is this wishful thinking? A joke?

just read this article on www.stuff.co.nz and thought I'd share

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/4398036/Teenager-Adams-tipped-for-basketball-big-time/