He’s the Blatcheman, Ski-Ba-Bop-Ba-Dop-Bop. Sorry, but that’s what we were hearing in our head when the Lazarus of Brooklyn (not Bethany), Andray Blatche, performed a minor miracle in Brooklyn Wednesday night. The 6-11 forward/center is as agile on his feet as he is while dancing, and he showed it all off in a thrilling sequence during Brooklyn’s win to get over .500 on the year.
In case you didn’t know, Blatche will be a free agent again at the end of the year; he’s got a player option for $1.437 million for 2014-15, but we doubt he’ll pick it up. Brooklyn took a chance on him after he was amnestied in Washington (following a 7-year, $35 million contract the Wiz had to eat mid-way and a lot of mud-slinging between both parties after-the-fact), so we know Blatche wants to stay after his second chance, but will Brooklyn be able to afford him once he’s on the open market?
After plays like this, we don’t know — even with Prokohorov’s inexorable pocketbook. If you’re wondering about his eurostep at the end, it’s not the first time he’s busted it out.
Blatche’s per-36 minute numbers are pretty ridiculous this year (19.3 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 1.9 SPG) even though his shooting has dropped off a tad after a career-high 51.2 percent from the field last season (he’s at 47 percent this year).
As you saw above when he stepped in front of a waiting Marc Gasol to intercept the inbounds, Blatche moves lightly on his feet for such a hulk of a guy (6-11, 260 pounds is big even by NBA standards). And while Blatche’s shooting has dipped slightly after last season, he’s gaining more confidence with a jumper that’s accurate out to 20 feet. That’s neglecting to mention his freakish handle and deft passing for a big man.
Blatche was 4-of-6 from the field against Memphis’ tough front line with 12 points to go with four rebounds, two assists, the steal and three blocks.
Brooklyn’s 103-94 win over the visiting Grizz pushed them above .500 (29-28) for the first time this season, and Andray Blatche continues to help BK contend even with Brook Lopez out for the season.
(video via The Brooklyn Game)
What do you think?
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