OMG this is unbelievable. He gets divorced and now wants a ring so he makes a deal with "the enemy"....the LA Lakers.

These are the guys who literally beat on him and broke his nose in past years. Now he has become one....what next...pigs fly?

Never thought I would see him got to Lakers.

Dear Misty:
Considering all of the things that he has accomplished, he is almost comparable to Julius Erving at this point. He has accomplished almost everything that there is to accomplish at that level. However, time is getting short so he is picking the best chance he would have to win a championship with the premium of time that he would have in the game. Considering the teams that are out there that are presently constituted to win a championship most would be set a point guard for quite some time. Henceforth the Lakers have a lot of other pieces that would make them attractive and probably with the exception of small forward and point guard would be one of the most ready teams to matriculate through the Western Conference playoffs.
Does Nash put them over the top against a young and formidable team like the Thunder?  Maybe not. Does he give them more of a chance offensively? Yes.  
Also not for nothing but the front office of the Lakers is much more well run than the Suns front office currently is.  Just ask yourself why their former general manager left to take a job with TNT?  Going forward you have got to ask yourself is Robert Sarver going to spend the money necessary to make Phoenix relevant again.  Considering the times and what you must be experiencing now you must really be missing a competent professional like Jerry Coangelo.  Not for nothing but maybe he might of tried to get some more pieces or get rid of some expiring contract to bring a major free agent to Phoenix.

lets be honest, the suns blow. it was obvious he wouldnt stay there. they ruined the best years of his career by playing AAU style ball with no defense and anyone that wants a turn cranking a crazy shot. the only teams i think that had a shot at him (knowing he wants the ring) were LA, Miami, OKC and MAYBE NY.

he wouldnt benefit a miami team much that has lebron running the show a lot, as well as a young and improving pg in chalmers.

i think he would HATE okc with that ninja turtle looking westbrook shooting 85 times a game.

ny isnt gonna win with or without him until they develop some depth beyond carmelo and tyson chandler.

la was the only logical choice. ready to win now. enough offense for him to be a true passing pg. enough defense to make up for his shortcomings. maybe he and kobe can win one together and ride off into the sunset as champs.

I know, Dwight only wants to play for the Brooklyn Nets. But if I'm the Magic, getting Brooke Lopez and Kris Humphries for Howard is just not all that exciting.

With Nash on board, it makes sense for the Lakers to press the issue on Howard. You have to figure given the ages of Kobe/Nash, the window is very tight (2 years perhaps?) to bring a championship to LA with this current roster. Trading Bynum (and whatever else you need to throw in) for Howard would easily make the Lakers one of the favorites in the West (if not the favorite). Gasol would be the only player the Lakers would have to think twice about including in a deal with Bynum, but I think you do it to get Howard.

If Kobe/Nash can convince Howard to love LA (you just have to complete the trade before Howard changes his mind yet again!), the Lakers would be really tough.

howard is a diva, he fades away in big moments and he doesnt have the heart to get any better. as a magic fan, i say TAKE HIM. this will ensure the nba title stays on the east coast again next year.

kobe talked that white girl into dropping the charges, you know he can talk a white boy into throwing him the ball

If they do, Mike Brown will be under more pressure than ever before. And if the Lakers don't win it all right away with Howard, Brown will be out the door as soon as they play their last game.

Fine go to the enemy but really do you have to take Grant Hill with you too Nash?

Then we could really become the Phoenix Bums

the ball in his hand. He likes to dribble around until someone gets open or take a jump shot if everyone is covered. But he controls the ball more than 90% of the point guards in the NBA.  

     What's Kobe going to be doing while Nash is dribbling the ball? HINT- he's not going to be happy.
And when Kobe goes one-on-one, you are left with a guy who never could play defense and now at 38 he has no chance of keeping a John Wall or Kyrie Irving in front of him.

grant has EARNED the right to play for a ring too

they sorta kinda have a pair of 7 footers to keep guys outta the paint. and when kobe has the ball, and the double comes, he hits nash for the trey ball all night. adding a 2 time mvp is never a "bad move"

You are about the only one who thinks this is a bad deal. I guess the Chris Mullins, Bruce Bowens, Jalen Roses of the world are totally clueless, and should listen to the expertise of a short, slow, white, part-time playground baller.

Where do I start? The obvious is that Kobe will be 34 at the start of the season. He has a lot of mileage on those legs. For the first 3 quarters, he doesn't have to consume as much energy, or control the ball as he has in the past. He will get his shots because of Nash, and he won't have to expend unnecessary energy. Now, when the 4th quarter arrives, specifically the last 6 minutes, he will go to work, and yes you will see some one-on-one, or more like one-on-two.

The beneficiaries will be Bynum, or Howard if that trade goes through, and GASOL. Nash is the master of the pick and roll. He will be able to get Gasol and Bynum/Howard easy shots at the rim.

You view the Lakers from a triangle offense. It was hard last year to purge that offensive mentality out of their system. The triangle does not require a point guard. The Lakers offense last year was stagnant at times. They didn't space and pass as the triangle dictates, not could they run a point guard initiated offense. It was something in-between, if you could call it that.

Kobe's career will be extended because of this trade. Gasol and Bynum/Howard will have easier shots. You're right, Nash doesn't play defense. Never has, never will. But when you have two 7-footers in the lane protecting the rim, you kinda negate the need for his defense. Just funnel the opposing team's PG into the lane.

Kyrie Irving and John Wall, that's funny. The Lakers are worried about Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul, not a couple of point guard wannabees.



-- Modified on 7/5/2012 7:46:18 PM

EXACTLY!!!!

but russell westbrook SUCKS. wall and irving are way better passers, which is a point guards job

Steve Nash will be 39 years old when the play offs start next year. Quick, how many teams have won the title with 39 year old point guards? How many 39 year old point guards are there in the NBA?

       At this position, quickness trumps everything else. That pick and roll that Nash did so well with Amare never worked when they had Shaq. Turned out Shaq couldn’t “roll.” He was just too old by that point. Now Nash is too old to get that pass by bigger, quicker defenders. So that’s reason one why this is bad for the Lakers. Nash can still shoot but he is too slow now to play at an elite level.

       Reason two is the personnel. Bynum is not a mobile big guy. He is a back to the basket center. They are not going to put him in the high post for pick and roll. Maybe it works with Gasol – but what’s Kobe going to be doing in the meantime? Glaring at Nash for not getting him the ball.

       Nash is a double digit assist guy – to get those numbers, he has to pass to a lot of different people who are open, even if the guy is Josh McRoberts (yeah Duke!). Kobe won’t like that.

      Watch Kobe play- he gets the ball and the first thing he does is survey the court. Everyone else stands still. Then he makes his move which somehow is almost always a shot. Last year he took 23 shots a game and made only 4 assists a game. Why import a pass first point guard if one guy has a shot/assist ratio like that. He is the worse possible player for a Steve Nash offense.

        So you are impressed by the opinions of Rose, Mullins, and Bowen?

       When Michael Jordan was made President of Player Personnel for the Wizards without any prior professional experience in drafting players, he argued that he had an advantage over the slow [hey, I never said I was “slow” I just said I was not fast] , white guys making draft decisions bc he would play each pick one on one and evaluate his game.

       That made sense to me but boy was I wrong. Jordan picked Kwame Brown over Gasol,  Tyson Chandler, and Shane Battier. All have had far more productive careers than Brown and have won the NBA title.  Then in Charlotte he picked Adam Morrison over Rudy Gay and Brandon Roy. And look at Charlotte now? Do they have a single player you want?

      So just being an ex jock like Rose, Mullins,  Bowen, and Jordan does not mean their player evaluations should be given undue weight.

once again, adding a 2 time mvp that is a team player to the extreme and has the desire to win because its the only thing he hasnt done, is NEVER a bad thing.

typical kobe hater dude. "kobe shoots too much, kobe doesnt average 32 assists a game, kobe doesnt make good fried chicken, kobe once fell off his bike". blah blah blah. kobe has 5 rings, kobe is a winner. one more ring, and he IS without a doubt a top 5 player EVER. dont you think he will let nash run the point to get that? to extend his career? to keep him fresh come may? kobe isnt some selfish ballhog, nobody else for the lakers has shown the ability to knock down big shots, make the right pass, step up at all. give kobe a guy that will help him in every way, in the pursuit of MJs 6 titles, in the pursuit of kareems 38 thousand + points....kobe will adjust. i may not have lived to see wilt, kareem, oscar or the best years of magic or larry...but kobe bryant is the 2nd best player i have ever seen play, behind his airness.

and while you attack NBA personel, why dont you mock the HORNETS for trading kobe? or the suns for trading RONDO? or the blazers for NOT DRAFTING JORDAN OR DURANT??? you act as if the mistakes you mentioned are rarities in the nba.

bottom line: you take an all time great, one of the more skilled 7 footers ever, the 2nd or 3rd best center in the league today....and ADD a 2 time mvp that wants nothing more than to win at any cost....and get him for picks, dont even have to get rid of a role player...THATS A WIN

she got what she wanted. she only cared about the money. from what i heard, she admitted to consenting to sex, but he talked her into letting him stick the black mamba where no trouser snake had been before, and she regretted it, was embarassed and went for the cash

But time is a great equalizer - it treats former mvps and scrubs the same. Steve Nash is not the player he was when he won those mvps. I'd go further and say he is not a great player per se at all - he is a great player only in a particular kind of system such as the one Mike DiAntonnio designed for him.  Jordan, kobe, Shaq are great per se - no matter the system they are great individual players.

       But yes where I disagree with you is that I don't think Kobe is willing to change his game. He wants 20 shots a game no matter what. Give him that many shots and you take away the type of system where Steve Nash can operate. Not that different than when the Lakers brought in Gary Payton to be the point guard. Kobe still took his shots and Payton's assists and points went way down, he was too old to play defense, and the young quick Pistons routed the Lakers. Next year he was gone.  

It will be the same with Steve Nash.

nash now is better than payton was then. even if kobe does dominate the ball, nash will get open looks, which unlike ramon freakin sessions, he wont miss. kobe taking 20 shots wont hurt nash. durant takes 20 shots and nobody thinks it hurts westbrook. kobe is a diverse player. he can do it all. nash used to feed amare, marion, joe johnson and q-rich. he can deal with kobe, gasol, and bynum.

not to mention, the impact he will have when kobe is resting will be huge.

and lets not forget, payton won a ring in miami, AFTER hos year in LA, with another ball dominating sg dwyane wade.

as for old, former mvps being in demand, how many teams would tell nash they dont want him? or dirk? or kobe? or even tim duncan? kg just got another 3 years at 36 million, id say thats high demand.

Who was their PG? Oh yeah, it was Jason Kidd. How old is he?

This is real simple mari. The Lakers ain't running the Triangle. Jackson is in Montana, and if he isn't in Montana, then he is in Manhattan Beach boinking Jeanie Buss. The Lakers need a PG. Fisher wasn't the answer. Ramon Sessions wasn't the answer. The Lakers tried to trade for Chris Paul, but too many small markets owners bitched and whined to David Stern.

Yeah Nash will be 39 at the start of the playoffs. Yeah, Nash is a defensive liability. But look at his stats year over year over year. Where else are you going to find a 90/50/40 PG, let alone any player, let alone any player that will be 39 at playoff time.

I do have a concern about Bynum, because he is your typical back to the basket center. I do have a concern about Kobe's one-on-one or two or three approach, but I honestly think Kobe is possessed about getting ring number 6, and Nash is possessed about getting ring number 1. The Lakers didn't give up anything. But in return, they got something better than Fisher or Sessions.

I'm sorry mari. I should realize your expertise in player evaluations. I mean you've proven your expertise in selecting superior investments.

since you wussed out of my Duke UCLA bet and my BOA v. oil bet (smart move there).

      So I say the Lakers will not win the NBA title next year with their geriatric point guard, and you say they will bc Kobe is suddenly going to become unselfish. I'll let you pick the amount.

Have we got a bet?

I just got back from Vegas. Lakers are 5-1 to win the NBA. This is all based on Nash. But I'll do a bit better. Lakers 3-1. You put up $300 to win $100. Don't wuss out you little girl, or try to include some "Dwight Howard" clause to the bet.

Your original Duke bet was just plain stupid. If you want to revisit my modified Duke bet based on the 2013 AP standings, then we can discuss it. Just don't come back with your ridiculous changes.

P.S. I hope I never have to negotiate a contract with you. I honestly think I would jump over the table and choke you to death, but then all I have to do is wait for you to burn your mouth on a hot cheese fondue (lol).

that may not be my bet, but its unfair. telling him he has to pick one team out of 30, a team that isnt even the favorite....thats wack. nobody said nash is a title for sure, just that the lakers are way better with him than without

As I recall, you advised me that I was “about the only one who thinks this is a bad deal.”

     Then you told me that OMG those peerless jocks Chris Mullins, Bruce Bowens, and Jalen Rose agreed with you.

       And don’t forget that esteemed sports commentator Kweezy619 who says it is never a bad move to add a two MVP, even if he is almost eligble for AARP.

        So clearly I’m the only one in the TER world at least that dares to say the Lakers will not win the NBA championship in 2013 because Nash and Kobe can’t play together.

          I should get odds, not you.

       But being a risk taker I will go straight up 1 to 1 for a $100.

       Deal?

I dont think Lakers can beat OKC with this current team but that can if they get Dwight. And it's looking like they may by the end of the week

The Lakers made it to the conference semi - finals this year. They gave up two first drafts picks and two second draft picks for Nash and a three year contract. But it is hard to believe they want to keep Nash till he is 42 so I'd bet there is a low buyout clause after the first year.

      Kobe is 34 - he does not have but a few years of being an elite player left. So the Nash trade was made to win the NBA title next year and that is how it will be judged. So if giving up 4 draft picks for a player whose style is so different from Kobe is a good move, that will only be true if the Lakers win it all.

winning is the goal, yes, but if you think that is the only thing the organization cares about, you are crazy. nash will sell jerseys that sessions wouldnt have. $$$. nash will pack the stands, even people that HATE kobe and the lakers may want to go to see nash play. $$$. one round further in the playoffs= more home games. $$$. and what do you get with the 24th pick in the nba draft most years? not much.

also, say nash + kobe inspires dwight howard to go to LA. doesnt a core of those 3, plus maybe gasol, look pretty good? this puts them in a better position to win, and that makes it a good move. last season, the heat didnt win, even though they added lebron and bosh. it was STILL a great move.

anything that makes you better is good, right? so you are saying sessions, fisher, or blake...one of them is better than nash?

if you could ball, you would know better.

I would agree with the "pluses" you mention, don't leave out the risks -Kobe blows out his achilles next year, that 24th 2013 pick becomes a lottery pick; maybe the 2014 as well.


Now if Dwight comes to LA, then I'm on board - it was a good move.

very true. without kobe, the lakers could miss the playoffs. but the kobe ive loved to watch doesnt get hurt very often, at least not bad enough to miss much time. so i will roll the dice on the best player ive ever seen not named mj.

i dont think they win the ring without dwight, but they are better with nash, and i like my chances whenever i do something to get better

The only thing that sucks is, his image took a huge hit. The money he gave her is "Chump Change" to Kobe.

Dwight Howard is still the best center in the NBA.

If he goes to the right team, that's a good fit, he'll be a huge factor.

Examples.......

Dennis Rodman with the Bulls, Rasheed Wallace with the Pistons, to name a few.

everyone makes those mistakes. well maybe not those same mistakes, but equally bad ones. i think he rebounded nicely