Marty Blake was a prominent figure in the world of basketball, serving as a scout and talent evaluator for several professional teams. He began his career in the 1950s, working for the Philadelphia Warriors and later the Baltimore Bullets. In the 1960s, he became the chief scout for the St. Louis Hawks, where he helped build a team that won the NBA championship in 1958.
Blake was known for his keen eye for talent and his ability to identify players who would excel at the professional level. He was instrumental in the drafting of several future Hall of Famers, including Pete Maravich, Dominique Wilkins, and John Havlicek. He also played a key role in the development of the NBA draft, helping to establish the modern system that is still in use today.
In addition to his work as a scout, Blake was also a respected writer and commentator on the sport of basketball. He wrote for several publications, including Sports Illustrated and The Sporting News, and was a regular contributor to radio and television broadcasts.
Throughout his career, Blake was widely respected for his knowledge of the game and his dedication to helping young players succeed. He was known for his tireless work ethic and his willingness to go the extra mile to find the next great talent. His contributions to the sport of basketball were recognized in 2000, when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Despite retiring from scouting in the 1990s, Blake remained active in the basketball community until his death in 2013. He continued to attend games and offer his insights on the sport he loved, and his legacy as one of the greatest talent evaluators in basketball history lives on.
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