Lakers vs. Thunder: Steve Blake, Family Receive Threats After Missed Game 2 Shot

Trailing 76-75 in the closing seconds of Game 2 in their Western Conference semifinal playoff series, the Los Angeles Lakers had a chance to win the game, but reserve guard Steve Blake missed a three-pointer, resulting in the Oklahoma City Thunder taking a 2-0 series lead. What resulted was more than Blake could have bargained for.

According to Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com, Blake and his wife Kristen have received threats on their respective Twitter feeds since Wednesday's game. Blake came up huge for the Lakers in their Game 7 win over the Denver Nuggets in the first round, but one missed shot has completely turned the tide.

The last shot had reportedly been drawn up for Kobe Bryant to take, but the ball ended up going to Blake, who had a good look. Taking a game-winning shot in such a huge game certainly isn't something that Blake is used to, but that hasn't stopped angry Lakers fans from voicing their displeasure.

Blake doesn't mind the attacks directed toward him, according to McMenamin, but he is understandably miffed that people would bring his wife and children into the picture.

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It's pretty disappointing that there are a lot of hateful people out there, but you move on, Blake said. I just don't appreciate it when it's toward my family. You can come at me all you want but when you say things about my wife and my kids, that makes me upset.

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Blake and the Lakers will have a chance to earn some redemption on Friday night as they host the Thunder in Game 3. The contest will be a big one for L.A. as going down 3-0 to the Kevin Durant-led Thunder will seem like an insurmountable deficit to overcome.

It remains to be seen how the reception at Staples Center will be for Blake on Friday, but if Lakers fans take Bryant's recent comments to heart then one might expect an outpouring of support for the maligned guard.

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Lakers fans who said bad things to Blake and his wife on twitter -- you should be ashamed of yourself, Bryant said

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If Bryant, who is considered one of the all-time great playoff performers in NBA history, isn't upset with Blake then the majority of Lakers fans likely won't be either. When Bryant speaks, people listen, and that should help create a welcoming environment for Blake in Game 3.

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