Steve Blake

Guard, #5

• Born Feb. 26, 1980
• Attended Maryland
• Coached by Phil Jackson

After spending one season with the Clippers, Blake signed a four-year deal with the Lakers after the 2009-10 season. Blake’s signing initially was a backup move in case the Lakers were unable to re-sign starting guard Derek Fisher (the team signed Fisher weeks later).

Blake got off to a fast start with the Lakers, hitting the game-winning shot in the season opener and averaging 47.8% from three-point range over the first month of the 2010-11 season. However, his offensive numbers and playing time dropped as the season continued. The 6-foot-3 guard out of Maryland appeared in 79 games off the bench averaging 4.0 points per game.

"I never felt like I got to playing the best that I could be," said Blake in an interview with The Times. "I can't really explain why. But I was comfortable. I loved my teammates, loved my coaches. But I never found my stride and continued in it."

Blake also contracted chickenpox before the start of 2011 playoffs, prompting concerns other players, including Kobe Bryant (who has never had the disease), could be infected with the virus. Blake missed three games because of the ailment.