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Blake's rehab was "torture." He wasn't "deeply depressed," but it killed him not to play or contribute in "wins, losses and practices." After going through the bonding of training camp, he was on the outside looking in and did not feel part of the team. Then there was the unrelenting, unconstructive criticism.

"I'd focus on the process of coming back, but I heard what people said ... that I 'was a bust ... the Clippers messed up again ... the guy can't play.' I heard it and couldn't do anything about it. Nobody cares what you're going through. Now those same people aren't saying anything.

"I love negative motivation. I love it when people say I can't do this or I can't do that. I love that. I almost need that. Friends send me articles and I don't want to read the positive ones. I want to read the ones that say I can't do something.

"In high school I was supposed to be just a big guy who took advantage of smaller players. People predicted I wouldn't be successful in college because I supposedly wasn't really a basketball player, just athletic. I came into the NBA and I wasn't supposed to be able to jump over athletic players my own size.

"We haven't achieved anything as a team, but I've accepted the challenge to change people's perception and improve our record, particularly on the road," Blake said. "I want to be part of it. I'm not going to shy away from it. We just need everyone on board. We need Eric [Gordon] healthy. I feel bad about that."

Peter Vecsey, New York Post