HoopsHype.com Rumors

Blake, who has two years remaining on his four-year, $16 million deal, said he plans to return home to Portland at the end of June and after a two-week break with his family, get back to work. He said Mike Brown and Mitch Kupchak said he needs to work on being more aggressive in the offense. Orange County Register

Los Angeles Lakers, Steve Blake 

Blake said he expects again to back up Ramon Sessions at the point, even if Sessions opts out. The Lakers traded for Sessions last March. Orange County Register

Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Steve Blake, Ramon Sessions 

"I hope your family gets murdered," tweeted one muttonhead toward Blake's wife. Mrs. Blake responded brilliantly, of course. She didn't hide under the bed or shudder in fear. Instead, she exposed the half-wit sicko. She re-tweeted the threat, adding, "Wow." And sure enough, the offender was so buried by the public response that he backed down, said he was kidding, and offered a "Go Steve!" in response. To that, I say, "Go away." Oregonian

Los Angeles Lakers, Twitter, Steve Blake 

I once asked an NBA player why he didn't vote in elections and he said he didn't want his home address accessible via public records. Basically, the guy was well aware that if he exercised his basic democratic right and registered to vote (unless he successfully sought an exemption to keep his record private) he was potentially placing his family, his home and himself in danger. Minimally, he was inviting unwanted contact from angry fans if he ever missed a shot. I've spent the better part of a week listening to people say things such as, "Twitter is out of control." It's not Twitter, people. We live in a barnyard. Always have. The issue is us. Twitter has just given us an immediate and ugly look into the darkest, ugliest corners of the human psyche. Oregonian

Los Angeles Lakers, Twitter, Steve Blake 

Steve Blake said he reported death threats his wife received via Twitter to Lakers security personnel, who had an increased presence during Game 3 at Staples Center. "We took what we feel are appropriate measures," team spokesman John Black said. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Twitter, Steve Blake 

Blake's family was threatened after the shooting guard missed a potential go-ahead three-pointer with 3.9 seconds left in Game 2, a two-point Lakers loss. Brown teared up when asked about the threats before Game 3, calling them "a doggone shame." "That gets me emotional right now," Brown said. "I just feel bad for his family, I feel bad for him. That shouldn't be a part of life, to have somebody want to do stuff like that or attack your family, your kids. I don't like that." Blake's wife, Kristen, tweeted her gratitude Friday to those who have supported the couple. "I am deeply grateful & humbled by the outpouring of love, support, & most of all prayers for our family in light of recent events-THANK YOU!" she tweeted. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Twitter, Steve Blake 

Dave McMenamin: Mike Brown become very emotional - both saddened and angered - when asked about the threats Steve Blake received: "It's a doggone shame" Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Twitter, Steve Blake, Mike Brown 

Lakers guard Steve Blake and his wife have been attacked online since he missed a possible game-winning 3-pointer against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal. The Twitter accounts of Blake and his wife, Kristen, were deluged with a range of criticism after the loss Wednesday night. "I hope your family gets murdered" read one post that Kristen Blake re-tweeted with the comment, "Wow." NBA.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Twitter, Steve Blake 

Kobe Bryant took to Twitter early Friday to chastise those attacking the Blakes, saying "Lakers fans who said bad things to Blake and his wife on twitter - you should be ashamed of yourself." NBA.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Kobe Bryant, Twitter, Steve Blake 

If the Lakers wanted to leave the end of Game 2 in Oklahoma City behind them, it wasn’t made any easier by people getting nasty toward Steve Blake, who missed the team’s last shot while down by one point. Orange County Register

Los Angeles Lakers, Steve Blake 

Blake’s wife, Kristen, posted to her Twitter account one message that said, in part: “I hope your family gets murdered.” “It’s pretty disappointing,” Steve Blake said Thursday. “There’s a lot of hateful people out there.” Orange County Register

Los Angeles Lakers, Steve Blake 

"I thought it was a great play, you know my answer," (LeBron) James said Thursday about (Steve) Blake's shot (from last night game against the Thunder). "The person that should be very happy is Russell (Westbrook), he (got) caught peeking in the paint and left a very good shooter open. Those are the same shots Derek Fisher has hit multiple times for the Lakers. If Steve Blake makes that shot, it's a whole different storyline." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, LeBron James, Derek Fisher, Steve Blake 

Blake missed the possible go-ahead shot with 3.9 seconds to play, his three-point attempt from the corner a little long and a tad to the right. "I'm going to take that shot," Blake said. "It was a good look. I just happened to miss it this time." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Steve Blake 

Chris Tomasson: Steve Blake wanted to return to DEN as FA in 07 but DEN wouldn't pay the $4.25M Portland gave him. DEN inked cheaper PG Chucky Atkins at $3M Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Steve Blake 

Mike Trudell: George Karl: "I hate Steve Blake tonight, but I love him as a player." Blake had a playoff career high 19 points. Twitter

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Steve Blake 

Kevin Ding: Steve Blake on @Pau Gasol tonight: "You saw the hunger." Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, Steve Blake 

With the association’s executive committee seeking to oust Fisher in his role as president, Lakers guards Kobe Bryant and Steve Blake both voiced support for their former teammate and his goals of hiring a law firm to conduct an independent audit to examine the union’s business practices. “What’s wrong with doing an audit?” Bryant asked. “I’m very curious about that. Extremely. We all should be.” Oklahoman

Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher, Steve Blake, NBPA 

Bryant went on to say that his primary focus is the audit rather than Fisher’s role. “To be honest, my first thought is to focus on this audit,” Bryant said. “That’s my first reaction. The Derek thing, if guys don’t won’t him in there, you really can’t do too much about that. But as an organization, I mean every organization does an audit every now and then. I mean, I don’t see anything wrong with doing an independent audit. It’s not that big of a deal. Just get it done.” Oklahoman

Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher, Steve Blake, NBPA 

Fisher has responded to the union’s request for him to step down by repeatedly saying he does not plan on resigning from the position. In a statement released Friday night, Fisher said he will continue to strive to protect the players in the union and added the executive committee’s “has now waged a personal character attack on me to divert attention from the real issue. The truth.” Blake, the Lakers’ player representative, stood behind Fisher and stood up for his character. “All I know is Derek’s a great guy,” Blake said. “I think he was a great leader for our team, and I think he’s a great leader for the players association.” Oklahoman

Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher, Steve Blake, NBPA 

Tas Melas: This is what Twitter was made for: NBA players' wives getting angry about their husbands inclusion in rumors - http://yfrog.com/kidahhp Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Steve Blake