Marqus Blakely

Marqus Blakely - One time Rockets forward Blakely last played in the Philippines, where he averaged 23.9 points, 15.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.2 steals and 2.1 blocks per game. Included in that stint were stat lines of 22 points, 28 rebounds and eight assists, 30 points, 15 rebounds, five steals and four blocks, and a 37-point, 25-rebound outing in which he shot 9-of-26 from the line. Indeed, Blakely averaged nearly 17 free throws a game in the Philippines, but hit only 46% of them. This is the thing that is keeping him out of the league - for all his disruptive athleticism, he cannot consistently hit a shot.

Marqus Blakely - Blakely went to camp with the Clippers, despite interest from Atlanta, and picked up $35,000 for doing so. That's more than he's currently getting in the D-League, where he is averaging 12.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 0.8 blocks for the Bakersfield Jam in only 23 minutes per game. Blakely still does not have an outside jumpshot, and remains a 6'5 defensive specialist with a scrappy power forward's game in an average shooting guard's body. But there's always a couple of 6'5 defensive specialists that find their way into the NBA, so while improving his perimeter offensive skills would help, it need not make the man.

12th: - Bakersfield Jam - Marqus Blakely, Vermont

Blakely was the last training camp cut of the L.A. Clippers training camp, after they had signed him out of summer league to a deal paying $35,000 in guaranteed money. The Clippers didn't need to cut him, yet they decided to carry only 14 players, and Blakely didn't make it. Blakely had been with the team in summer league (7.0ppg and 4.8rpg in 23mpg) and preseason (8 points and 3 rebounds in 18 minutes), at which time I wrote this about him:

Blakely won the American East Defensive Player of the Year award in each of the last three seasons. Last year he averaged 17.3ppg, 9.3rpg, 3.7apg, 2.4spg and 1.9bpg, shooting 54% from the field. Unfortunately, he did all this as a 6'5 power forward. And he did all this as a 6'5 power forward who shot 7% from three point range. If and when he adds a jumpshot to his game, Blakely could carve out a career similar to that of Mo Evans or Michael Curry; however, as of right now, he's still a 6'5 power forward without many ball skills.

Since the Developmental League is designed to develop, Blakely's primary task this season should be obvious.

The Jam are not only a quality band, but are also the Clippers's D-League affiliate, so Blakely stays right where they can see him. This, then, somewhat explains why they didn't keep him.

Blakely won the American East Defensive Player of the Year award in each of the last three seasons. Last year he averaged 17.3ppg, 9.3rpg, 3.7apg, 2.4spg and 1.9bpg, shooting 54% from the field. Unfortunately, he did all this as a 6'5 power forward. And he did all this as a 6'5 power forward who shot 7% from three point range. If and when he adds a jumpshot to his game, Blakely could carve out a career similar to that of Mo Evans or Michael Curry; however, as of right now, he's still a 6'5 power forward without many ball skills. And by re-signing Rasual Butler and Craig Smith, to along with acquisitions Cook, Ryan Gomes and Al-Farouq Aminu, plus the returning Blake Griffin, Blakely might just have been squeezed out of a spot here.