To Blake or not to Blake?

This being my first Blazer related post on The Glyde, I felt I'd be courageous and attempt to tackle what many consider to be the most controversial issue surrounding the team: our point guard dilemma. In my experience I've found there to be four general stances most Blazer fans take when discussing this issue:

1) There is an (ever decreasing) army of supporters of the Spanish Armada, a.k.a. those who feel that Sergio Rodriguez has what it takes to be our point guard of the future

2) There are those who feel Jerryd Bayless will eventually provide a solution at the 1 guard for the team

3) There are those who feel that Portland's best chance at improving at the point would be to acquire a "big name" point from another team through free agency or trade (Ramon Sessions, Mike Conley, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash etc.)

4) Lastly but most importantly there is the deafening roar of Blazer supporters who want anyone running the point but Steve Blake. ANYONE. ANYONE.

You may notice a potential group missing from this list: those who still support Blake as our starter for next season. Yes, I know there are a few of you out there who still love Steve, and that you have had to fight hard to defend Blakey after a couple of questionable late-game decisions in the Houston series. But I am discounting your opinion because your support is mostly rooted in the fact that you feel like, if you had practiced just a little harder, worked on your jumper, done those dribbling drills and made Varsity Junior Year, you could have been Steve Blake. Let the dream die. For every one's sake.

But back to the point guard dilemma. All 4 of these groups have semi-legitimate evidence to back up their argument. Sergio supporters can brag about El Chacho’s improved jumper and decision making, as well as his projected stats (8.4 assists per 36 minutes ain't shabby). Jerryd supporters can point to his impressive athleticism, frightening facial expressions, age (he's only 20) and YouTube greatness (here and here if you're skeptical). Those in favor of big names can tout the fact that the majority of championship teams in the past decade have had stars at the 1 (Parker in San Antonio and Billups in Detroit are the most prominent examples). And the anti-Blake crowd can point to Aaron Brooks' explosion in the Houston series as well as some embarrassing ankle breakers.

In the end, I think how you view the point guard dilemma comes down to perspective, mainly on what you thought was the downfall of the Blazers last season. When the home team favorites rolled over, there were a host of interpretations as to why the "team that no one wanted to play" quickly became an afterthought in the postseason.

Some blamed the team's defense, saying that their inability to clamp down when it mattered most cost them the season. Many fans attribute Portland's failure to the shortcomings of Brandon Roy's supporting cast, with most of the criticisms centered on Travis Outlaw and LaMarcus Aldridge. Others simply blamed the Blazer's youth and playoff in experience. Some blamed the refs. Get over it already, the refs suck and we know it. There's no need to chant it. Or write a letter to David Stern. We get it.

We all know there was no one single factor that led to Portland's ousting. And that's why this debate will rage on until the Blazers tip off next fall, and why I can't really side with any one group in this dispute. But I do urge Blake Haters to recognize one fact: basketball is a team sport, and teams thrive and die as a unit. One man does not win a playoff series and one man does not lose a playoff series. So cut Steve Blake some slack. He's not going to have a signature shoe, and he may not fit the prototype of a championship point guard. But he filled an important role for Portland this season, and while he may never resume his starting duties, he could be the least recognized Blazer whose play leads to success for the young core of this team down the road.

"I've never seen him play like this. Makes me very angry, because I always thought that he was the guy we should've kept. That was a money contract year. And watching him now making 45 percent of his threes, that was the only weakness I thought he had when we had him, was would he ever become a great 3-point shooter, and he would fit perfectly with our team."

-George Karl, Coach of the Denver Nuggets, on Steve Blake's 08-09 season