The decision has been made by the Los Angeles Lakers’ coaching staff on which point guard will backup starter Steve Nash to start the 2012-13 season.
Veteran Steve Blake was able to beat out second-year man Darius Morris and newcomer Chris Duhon for the second spot on the depth chart according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com:
After playing musical chairs with the backup point guard spot throughout the preseason, Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike Brown said Saturday that veteran Steve Blake has taken the lead for the role.
“Obviously I played Blake more as of late,” Brown said. “He’ll get the first crack at it. Guys like [Chris] Duhon and [Darius] Morris have to stay professional and stay ready. Their number can be called at any time.”
With a seasoned veteran trying to keep a job and an anxious youngster sitting behind Blake, the backup point guard position might be a revolving door this season. There’s no question Blake is the best man for the job heading into the season opener against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night, but that will quickly change if he can’t get the job done as the floor general of the second unit.
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Last season, Blake averaged 5.2 points and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 33 percent from beyond the arc. Although Blake has been a decent backup for the Lakers over the past two seasons, many believe he hasn’t lived up to expectations and an upgrade is needed.
With Nash turning 39 in February, there’s no telling how his body will hold up moving. Even though Nash has had few injury problems in the past that has kept him off the floor, that could change at his advanced age. That being said, the backup position at point guard will be important with a lot of pressure on Blake to step it up when given minutes.
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