Beware the purple and gold: Steve Nash to the LA Lakers

The Lakers have had a stronghold on the top rung in the Western Conference ever since the Pau Gasol trade, which led to them netting two championships. A three-peat was on the cards but the team seemed to implode. Dallas Mavericks swept them out of the playoffs last year while they played lackluster defense and a every man for himself offense. Frustrations were boiling up. Teammates were taking shots at each other on the court and through the media, calling each other out to step up and yet being unwilling to put the trust in each other to enable them to step up.

They lost in a ugly manner to the Mavericks and took a few ugly unsportsmanlike parting shots at the smallest man on the vanquishers squad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AXkbVQQNI0

This year the Lakers were led by Kobe going into hero ball mode. If at first you miss, shoot and shoot again. And he did. He had an impressive 40 point outing but when you have the most dominant frontcourt in the league you need to take advantage of them. And not deride them like Kobe did here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGs0wN0D_O0

Its pretty clear that the Lakers are a scary talented team who are too implosive for their own good. They have Kobe, World Peace, Gasol and Bynum. All those players are among the best at their position. The most potentially pivotal position on the court is in the young hands of Ramon Sessions, the point guard. Its a gargantuan task to make this team play to its potential for a young point guard.

Enter Steve Nash.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6VA1iuVDzY

Nash is coming off of his best shooting season, percentage wise and he is good for 10 assists a night anytime. He’s among the most unselfish, level headed, and uber talented players in the league. He is one of the rare members of the 50-40-90 club, averaging over 50% shooting from the field, 40% from three point range and 90% from the free throw line in one season.

Nash’s time with the Suns was long in coming to an end. The Suns let go of Amare Stoudemire after he and Nash took the Suns to the Western Conference Finals, they let Amare go to the Knicks and left Nash to shoulder a mediocre team. Nash had never been outspoken about requesting a trade. In fact the media and fans had been exhorting for him to do so. After another season ending in disappointment last year, Nash finally asked for the Suns to pull the plug and send him to the Lakers.

Nash said that after he and the Suns agreed to part ways, he re-approached them to ask to pursue a sign-and-trade deal with Los Angeles “because it is very important to me to stay near my children and family,” who live in Phoenix.

“They were very apprehensive and didn’t want to do it,” Nash said. “Fortunately for me, they reconsidered. They saw that they were able to get assets for their team that will make them better, assets they would not have otherwise had and it made sense for them to do a deal that helps their team get better.”

Nash has agreed to a three-year, $27 million contract with the Lakers. In return, the Suns get four draft picks — first rounders in 2013 and 2015 and second rounders in 2013 and 2014.

If I had to pick one player to right the wayward ship of the Lakers, I’d get Steve Nash. He fills the weakest position on the Lakers squad and his demeanor is a perfect foil for the Lakers. Even though he dominates possession a lot, his teammates know that he will get them the ball in good positions to score.

The league is about to be washed under a waterfall of purple and gold. The Lakers have a chance to attempt another three peat, provided Nash and Kobe can fight off age which is fast catching up to the two hall of famers.

Steve Nash has been among one of the best to play the game and be denied the elusive ring. That’s probably about to change this year.