But all you can do is be in position, and we feel we are positioned well for our opportunity.". "And we will have a good draft choice and we'll have dollars to spend on free agents. The question remains how much influence, if any, Bryant will have on the court for the remainder of the 2013-14 season for the 18-36 Lakers. Few of them will be assisted. Not cool with @SteveBlake5 being gone AT ALL One of my closest teammates and psycho competitor GS picked up gem #smartmove, - Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) February 20, 2014, In the nearly four seasons that Bryant and Blake were teammates after the point guard came to L.A. as a free agent in the summer of 2010, Bryant often lauded Blake for his tough-nosed approach to the game, even bestowing him with the nickname "Vino Bianco," a remix of his own self-appointed monikers of "Vino" and the "Black Mamba.". Currently an assistant coach in the Phoenix Suns’ coaching staff, Blake admitted he “didn’t like Kobe”, before getting to play with him under coach Phil Jackson. Before his debut with Golden State, Steve Blake spoke to the media and talked about Bryant: Kobe and I had a great friendship while I was there. Blake suffered an abdominal strain in Sunday night's 103-90 victory over the Kings, causing him to sit out Monday's practice, ESPN notes. Jordan Farmar was … My God.) On the one-year anniversary of the tragic helicopter crash that ended the life of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others, former teammate and … Get a summary of the Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks basketball game “Kobe and I had a great friendship while I was there,” Blake said, according to Marc J. Spears from Yahoo Sports. Would you put the ball in Steve Blake… "I don't see why you would. Kobe stepped in to offer Blake a helicopter ride, Kobe often uses his helicopter to avoid the freeways, fired head coach Mike Brown and hired replacement Mike D'Antoni. "And the other part of it is, we got back two young players that are developing.". We don't know who is going to be free agents. But he's shown over the years that he can adjust his game to his age.". Sign up for membership to become a founding member and help shape HuffPost's next chapter. We delve deep into analytics to provide the best advice plus the latest breaking news. We don't know who is going to opt in and who is going to opt out, so there's a lot of unknown. 53 talking about this. Kupchak expects to hear more input from Bryant this summer, when the team will have anywhere from $22 million to $28 million to spend in free agency. MT: OK Steve, with your life on the line, would you rather have to play 1-on-1 with Kobe Bryant, or try to surf a 100-foot wave in Tahiti like surfing legend Laird Hamilton? We're looking to bring something to Los Angeles. The ill-timed injury to Blake will force him to skip Tuesday's game against the Spurs, a blow to a Lakers team already depleted at the point guard position. Bryant famously ripped team management for leaving Pau Gasol twisting in the wind when trade rumors swirled in February 2012, causing Kupchak to release a statement saying that pursuing trades is part of his responsibility as a GM. Steve Blake - Career stats, game logs, biographical info, awards, and achievements for the NBA, NCAA, and International leagues. EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- It was a relatively quiet trade deadline for the Los Angeles Lakers, but the one deal they did make appears to have unsettled Kobe Bryant. Part of HuffPost News. Kobe Bryant broadcast his dissatisfaction with the Lakers’ decision to trade Steve Blake on Thursday. Apparently, he once used it to ferry his former teammate Steve Blake to a doctor’s appointment. Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09. Rather, he said it gave L.A. the chance to evaluate young talent that could be a part of the team moving forward. As Fox Sports West points out, Kobe often uses his helicopter to avoid the freeways in traveling from practice or games to his Orange County home. Los Angeles traffic is notorious for being the worst in the country, forcing several local residents to resort to alternative means of transportation in time-sensitive situations. CLICK HERE to see the full list. ©2021 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. But if he feels he's ready and he's in shape and he gets the doctor's approval, then there's no reason why he couldn't do that.". In the nearly four seasons that Bryant and Blake were teammates after the point guard came to L.A. as a free agent in the summer of 2010, Bryant often lauded Blake for … “He’s one of … The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Houston Rockets 99-98 on Thursday night, thanks to a last-second, game-winning three-pointer by Lakers guard Steve Blake. "Next year we're going to have Kobe, who is healthy," Kupchak said. But Kupchak also believes the five-time NBA champion already showed enough in his six games back in December -- he averaged 13.8 points, 6.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds in that span -- that he still can be a close approximation of the player he was. I don't think that we'll use our cap money to patch together a team for next year. Kobe Bryant was always confident in flying by his private helicopter prior to his tragic death. Boston Celtics | 2010 NBA Finals, Game 3. Steve Blake has played with Kobe Bryant through three different coaching regimes. mark, The MVP race has turned into a Nikola Jokic runaway. Blake, who had stepped in for the injured Steve Nash, will likely be replaced by second-year backup Darius Morris. Bryant, sidelined since Dec. 17 with a fracture in his left knee, has not been re-evaluated after having his timeline for a return pushed back in late January because of pain and swelling in the knee. "I think the bigger challenge is his age. Former Portland Trail Blazers point guard Steve Blake joined Dan Sheldon and Channing Frye on the latest Talkin’ Blazers Podcast. Stay tuned for updates throughout the season. "There's really no reason why anyone should speculate as to whether or not Kobe can get back next year at a high level," Kupchak said. Bryant frequently traveled by helicopter for years, even taking one to the Lakers’ championship parade in 2020. Kobe Bryant did not speak to reporters after practice Monday because Lakers point guard Steve Blake suffered an abdominal strain and could only get … Steve Blake. The GM said Bryant is a major reason why he's confident the Lakers will be improved next season. Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns laughs with Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at the Staples Center on December, 10 2008 in Los Angeles, California. On this squad, Kobe is going to take 18 shots per game easy, maybe 20. Total Earnings: $85 million There were many lineups to … Consequently, his role has evolved during his time in Los Angeles. "It really got to the point where we needed to free up some time in the backcourt to look at Jordan [Farmar] and give Kendall [Marshall] the time that he's earned and let's review and evaluate where we are with those two players," Kupchak said. Steve Blake channels Kobe Bryant in Lakers' win against Spurs A Lakers team spokesman said it was possible Bryant would be examined by Dr. Steve Lombardo before Friday's game against the Boston Celtics, but Bryant's status remains undetermined. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak downplayed the salary-cap incentive to do the deal Thursday, saying "with this organization, that kind of relief is not really a big number." Information from ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne was used in this report. Steve Blake at (PG), Lamar at (F), Devin Ebanks at (F), and either Kobe, Gasol, or Bynum could be in the game as well with these group of guys. Such was the case Monday afternoon, when Kobe Bryant took Lakers teammate Steve Blake to a doctor's appointment in his personal helicopter. Thank you for visiting my official facebook fan page. I created a video that highlights Steve Blake's top 5 moments as a Los Angeles Laker! Steve Blake, the former Blazers and Lakers guard, talked about the fact that he gained a lot by playing with Kobe Bryant. NBA playoff predictions: Who will win the big seeding races? Ty Lawson scored 25 points and the Denver Nuggets raced to an early 24-point lead on their way to a 99-84 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night in Game 3 of their first-round series. "But if we're on opposite ends, then there probably won't be much influence.". Such was the case Monday afternoon, when Kobe Bryant took Lakers teammate Steve Blake to a doctor's appointment in his personal helicopter. Steve Blake is no different, and after he was traded to the Golden State Warriors last week, the point guard had some kind words for the Black Mamba. Dec 14, 2013 - Kobe Bryant may run the show now as Steve Blake is the third Lakers point guard to go down. But because we have a lot of money this summer, doesn't mean we'll spend it all. We've made a commitment to him for two more years, and I just don't know why we'd do that [push him to come back]. "This is just a typical day in L.A.". Kobe Bryant OAKLAND, Calif. – Ex-Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Blake was pleased to receive Twitter support from a teammate he already misses in Kobe Bryant. After spending the last 18 seasons together with the Lakers, it's nothing new for Kupchak to hear Bryant voice his opinion. Blake: Wow. Get expert fantasy help on your decision to start Kobe Bryant or Steve Blake. The Lakers … "It's been a zoo," Lakers forward Antawn Jamison told SI. (He peaked at 27 in 2005-06. "We'll spend it wisely and if we can't, then we'll do the best we can this summer and then we'll look maybe to the next summer. When Frye asked Blake to share stories about his time in Los Angeles with the Lakers, Blake discussed what he learned from Coach Phil … Steve Blake — who Kobe Bryant once called one of his “closest teammates and a psycho competitor” — earned a Flagrant 1 and a couple more gangster points when he pushed Kenneth Faried to the ground during last night’s action. Kupchak said the team would not pressure the 35-year-old Bryant to return with just 28 games remaining in the season and L.A. 13½ games out of a playoff spot entering Thursday. https://sports.yahoo.com/phil-jackson-kobe-bryant-steve-213849069.html We made it easy for you to exercise your right to vote! Kobe reacts: 'Not cool' with Blake's absence, D-Wade leaps into ownership with stake in Jazz, Lakers' Davis cleared for practice, nearing return, USC 7-footer Mobley declares for NBA draft, MJ to serve as Kobe's presenter at Naismith HOF, Nets' Aldridge abruptly retires due to health scare, Scorching Curry eyes Klay's 'gettable' 3-pt. So, it depends on who we can get in this summer. Blake went to Golden State in exchange for Kent Bazemore and MarShon Brooks. Kobe Bryant may run the show now as Steve Blake is the third Lakers point guard to go down. Today is National Voter Registration Day! Much more welcome than the odd ball lineup of Darius Morris, Steve Blake, Kobe Bryant, Antawn Jamison, and Pau Gasol was last night. We don't know how that's going to play out right now. Blake suffered an abdominal strainin Sunday night's 103-90 victory over the Kings, causing him to sit out Monday's practice, ESPN notes. One of my Maryland teammates, Steve Blake, got to play with Kobe for a few years, and hearing stories about his work ethic and how intelligent he was, the game is … Nuggets start fast, notch victory over Lakers. After dropping Game 2 at home and the series tied at 1-1, … Somebody pinch … "I'm sure he'll tell me the players that he'd like to have, and if it's in line with what we would like to have, then I think there will be some influence," Kupchak said. A day after the Lakers shipped Steve Blake to the Golden State Warriors for a pair of reserve guards in Kent Bazemore and MarShon Brooks -- saving them $4 million in salary and luxury-tax implications in the process -- Bryant took to social media and weighed in with a tweet that, according to a source with knowledge of his thinking, was meant to show support and love to Blake. Tap here to turn on desktop notifications to get the news sent straight to you. "We're not going to push him to get back," Kupchak said. "Kobe Bryant did not speak to reporters after practice Monday because Lakers point guard Steve Blake suffered an abdominal strain and could only get … It may take more than one year to build, I don't know. “And I use that quote by Kobe Bryant about Steve Blake.” Blake played for Martin at Miami Senior High School in the 1990s, long before he won a championship at Maryland and had a … According to Sports Illustrated, Kobe stepped in to offer Blake a helicopter ride from the Lakers' practice facility in El Segundo in order to beat traffic on the 405 to make it to an early-afternoon ultrasound in Orange County. Given the recent whirlwind surrounding the Lakers, who fired head coach Mike Brown and hired replacement Mike D'Antoni within a span of 72 hours, Blake's impromptu helicopter ride seems to be par for the course. Kupchak said he was "hopeful" that Bryant could play before the season ended to show potential free agents what he is still capable of doing. Kobe Gives Steve Blake Helicopter Ride For Doctor's Appointment. He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever had. Sixers take significant step toward East's top seed with win over Nets, NBA experts debate: These Eastern Conference storylines need your attention, Fantasy basketball 30: De'Aaron Fox's scoring touch fit for a King, 'He's Mr. Warrior': What three all-time greats are saying about Steph Curry's latest feat, NBA Power Rankings: Phoenix rises; KD returns ahead of a massive East battle. Straight to you best advice plus the latest breaking news 's been a zoo, Kupchak. Looking to bring something to Los Angeles Laker, when Kobe Bryant through three coaching. Kobe Gives Steve Blake 's top 5 moments as a Los Angeles two young that... You for visiting my official facebook fan page going to take 18 shots per game easy maybe! Video that highlights Steve Blake to a doctor 's appointment in his personal helicopter on who we get... 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