Steve Blake Returns To Blazers
July 14, 2007 by Angelo Fernandez
Filed under Player Movement
Steve Blake was one of the best things to happen to the Nuggets last season and I thought they would no doubt resign the guy. I’m sure that’s the impression Blake himself had. That’s why it is a quite shocking to hear that Blake returned to the Portland Trailblazers after hearing the Nuggets seemed to be close to signing veteran point guard Chucky Atkins instead.
Blake was perfect for the Nuggets and while Atkins is also good, Blake brings some youth to a team with many vets and many players that get injured easily. The Nuggets were one of the teams that had so many banged up players. This is why I don’t see why this move would make much sense.
Blake goes from a team that “really needs” him (but didn’t WANT him back) to a team that wants him but doesn’t really need him. The Blazers point guard situation brings new meaning to the depth at that position so much so that it really is a logjam now. They have Jarrett Jack, Sergio Rodriguez, and Blake. But Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy played point in some stretches too while they also have unsigned draft picks Taurean Green and Petteri Koponen. I guess right now Blake solidifies a point guard rotation but somewhere down the road they’ll have to do something about their situation when the others come in. Heck, the Blazers need to do something about all the new guys they got this off-season. But with all their new guys being nice talent, that’s a nice problem for Kevin Pritchard to have!
