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TUALATIN, Ore. — As each 3-pointer rose, arced downward and fell through the
net, Portland Trail Blazers guard Steve Blake bounced higher.
Soon, Blake was jumping around like a young teenager, throwing his hands behind
his back while letting out a proud “Ooh!” each time the ball made the net
sway but barely touched cloth.
Blake was on. He was happy. And he looked at peace, sinking 3s, smiling wide,
and then playfully elbowing Martell Webster off the court at the conclusion of
Portland’s practice Thursday.
Nearly two weeks removed from being hospitalized with pneumonia, Blake has
found his breath. He recorded 11 points, knocked down three 3-pointers and
pulled down five rebounds in the Blazers’ 120-108 victory over Milwaukee on
Wednesday.
The seventh-year guard out of the University of Maryland said his strong
performance was derived from a pregame decision to be active and engaged,
rather than hide in the shadows while brighter stars shined.
“The first part of the year, I’ve been more passive. Give the ball up and
just kind of run to the corner type of play,” Blake said.
“I’m just going to be aggressive and push the ball fast. I like to play
that way.”
A day later, Blake was still active. He appeared looser and more at ease than
he has been all season, and he showed off scrappy traits that made him a fan
favorite during the middle part of his four-year, two-term run with the
Blazers.
But Blake was also reflective. His fourth season in black and red has not gone
as planned. And Blake, who is set to make $4.9 million during the final year
of his contract with Blazers, is fully aware that this season could be his
last in Portland.
“I’d like to be here for my whole career,” Blake said Thursday. “I like
living here. I like the coaches, everyone involved with the organization.
But right now, it’s just focusing on being a better player for right now.”
“Right now” is the only place where Blake’s mind is at. And each new day
is a good one.
Three nights in the hospital and four missed games topped off several weeks
in which Blake battled through what he first thought was a cold, but soon
discovered was much worse.
Portland general manager Kevin Pritchard said he recalled seeing Blake before
and after the Blazers’ 103-99 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on
Dec. 30 at the Rose Garden. Blake sank two big 3s in the second half and
finished with 10 points.
Pritchard said the fact that Blake even took the court — let alone fought
to stay in the game — was a testament to his character. But Pritchard also
saw just how sick Blake was.
“He had no business playing in that game,” Pritchard said.
Two days later, Blake was admitted to a local-area hospital.
“You sit in the hospital room for days and days, and you just think,”
Blake said. “And when you get out, you’re happy. You feel good about
yourself. Coming back here, I just want to take advantage of the opportunities
I have and not let things slip by.”
But for the first 34 games of the season, things did slip by.
Blake struggled through a shooting slump he described as the worst of his
career, one season after posting career highs in points (11.0) and assists
(5.0), while finishing fifth in the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.2).
In addition, Blake watched his starting point-guard role disappear, as
Portland coach Nate McMillan turned to Andre Miller in the attempt to find a
veteran guide who could shine a light on a season littered with injuries and
heartbreak.
At the time, the general consensus was that Blake was a perfect soldier — a
player who would step down without biting back.
McMillan said that was the case. But he added that Blake is as proud as they
come, and his heart should never be underestimated.
“He wants to be out there. He competes,” McMillan said. “It wasn’t just
a clean transition. I had to talk to him about why.”
Blake said he understood and accepted McMillan’s reasoning. And after
fighting through a major slump and then fighting off pneumonia, Blake is
able to see everything in a new light.
“I just try to keep moving forward,” Blake said. “As bad as things get
— even for yourself, like when I got sick — you have to look for the
positives in things and move forward and take advantage of whatever you can
; find the good things that can come out of it. That’s what I’m trying to
do.”
It’s what Blake has done his entire professional career.
Undersized, outmuscled and overlooked, Blake has spent seven years answering
critics while carving out a niche in the NBA.
McMillan said Blake is the definition of dependable. The same focus, drive and
do-or-die attitude Blake brings in practice, he brings to the game. It’s an
all-out mentality McMillan loves — one he compared to his own playing days,
when Sarge was better known as Mr. Sonic.
“There are more talented players in this league. But working harder?
I don’t think there are,” McMillan said. “He gets the most out of his
ability out there on the floor. He doesn’t say much. He just comes out and
does his job. And I love the way he plays.”
And Blake is once again loving life.
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