Good move by Toronto. Would love to see him here. I would have like to have traded for Lowry, but Terrance Ross, while a reach at 8th pick, is not a surprise pick on a Dwane Casey team.
I don't think Nash is going to be the type of guy that looks past money and location to go to a team to find a ring. This was a guy that was going to be perfectly content to finish his career in Phoenix and they're certainly not going to be title contenders any time soon. He claims that until six months ago or so, he was sure he was going to stay with the Suns. And the decision to explore other opportunities was not brought on by wanting to go somewhere where he could win, but by the Suns more or less letting him know that they were ready to go in another direction. I think the deal makes a ton of sense for Toronto. There hasn't been a buzz around that team since Vince Carter was at the height of his powers and Nash would immediately change that. And it would instantly make them a playoff team in the East in my mind. Nash is still a top-tier point guard, albeit one that is nowhere near as good as he was just a few years ago. Valanciunas looks the part of a stud, Bargnani isn't a bad piece and Terrence Ross promises to be a solid addition. They wouldn't be title contenders, but they would be better than they have been in a long time.
If I were Nash I would hook up with a contender and get a ring rather than going my mediocre home country team at the twilight of my career.
Especially when it's Toronto. If it was the Vancouver Grizzlies- it be one thing. Man, that would be a story, especially if the Grizzlies had the same roster now except in Vancouver. Hometown hero goes back to his up and coming hometown team for one last playoff run. He could easily be the distributor that the Grizzlies need.
Jason Kidd is a package with Deron Williams. Wherever Deron ends up --Dallas or Brooklyn-- Kidd is following/staying there to back him up.
I agree for the most part, but I will play Devil's Advocate: 1. Toronto is built ready made for a player, like Steve Nash. He's an optimal enough passer with deadly shooting ability and little scoring ability still left. Add him to a lineup of Valanciunas, Bargnani, Ross, and Derozan and they'd have depth (something alot of Eastern teams lack). Potentially outstanding offensive squad with Nash. He compliments them, very well and can exploit there offensive talent. Which is why I think the Raptors should also go after Lin or Williams, if Nash doesn't come over. That could be a really good system for knowledgeable point guard with scoring ability. Toronto would basically be what Phoenix was from 04-09 with possibly greater defense. If they run the same system that was in Phoenix, this team is easily going to be amongst the top 5 in scoring. They also have defensive minded coach and ranked 9th last season. 2. Realistically, there's no challenges in the East, outside of Miami, Boston, and Indiana. No faith in Atlanta, Orlando, Philly, Chicago (without Rose) and New York. You've got teams, like Washington, Detroit and Cleveland who could make noise, but they aren't good enough. The only team I think they'd have no shot against in a series is Miami. Boston is questionable, because that crew will be one year older, and they struggled mightily with Atlanta and Philly. Those teams wouldn't and don't possess that kind of offensive firepower or potential the Raptors would with Nash. If Toronto brings over Vlan 3. New York is chaotic and "clumsily-bulit" (quote is from Phil Jackson). No realistic structure, while there players do not compliment each other. Anthony does compliment Amare or Lin, very well. I don't think Woodson is a strong enough head coach to sort of push Carmelo to side and make him play with in a structure offense (while I don't think he likes playing off the ball). They'll be slightly more competitive, but it's no cohesiveness in their approach. It doesn't make sense to have Lin and Nash, and then not have them as primary ball-handlers, if Carmelo is running the offense.
Toronto had a top 10 defense this year. With Valanciunas and Ross coming in plus if they sign Nash thats a good team if they keep their good D.
I cannot see a team, like that finishing worst than 7th in the East, unless they have injuries or chemistry issues. But, Nash is perfect for those guys.
$12 million vs $3-7 million may be too hard to turn down -- shamefully. If Nash joins the Raptors, I would be very disappointed. They have little chance of playoffs (less than 5% if you ask me) and 0% at a deep run. I would much prefer he play with the Mavericks, Lakers, Thunder, Knicks, or Heat. It's a tough decision. A few millions more or (possibly) finishing and being remembered as a winner?
It's so easy for people here to say "a few million" when it isn't your money. This is what the salary cap is all about. If the Raptors are guaranteeing 3yrs, it's a LOT more than just "a few million". I don't think it's a tough decision for Nash. The Barney's decided for him.
If I was Nash I would demand the fossils of a real velociraptor skeleton -- that would seal the deal.
They play in the Eastern Conference and would be adding three new players (and maybe another FA): Valanciunas, Ross, and Nash. Valanciunas was a 5th Overall pick last year, very promising center who is a polar opposite of Bargnani (who is more of wing player). Ross has alot of potential to be a good sf/sg in this league, as he has very few weaknesses to his game and is explosive dunker and a good midrange/3 point range. In comes Nash. Honestly, the Raptors with these player are better than the Suns from this past season (w/o Nash). Younger, versatile, and more explosive lineup.
The money does still matter to Nash: "I definitely feel like I want to be validated monetarily to an extent. Maybe not to the same extent, but it's still very important I think. Like I said in our business I think money in many ways represents respect because for example, if you sign with a team and you take half or less money, and then like I said earlier six months later they trade you. I mean it's one of those things where you can't in our business forgo money all the time. It has to be one of the factors, so it's not everything, but it is important and it'll be one of the factors involved." http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/e...nd-it-would-be-hard-to-put-on-a-lakers-jersey
People are always trying to put their rusty, unnecessary two cents on everything. It's his own livelihood, basketball ability, and physical well-being that in stake, he can do whatever hell he wants with. $24-$36 million for the next 2-3 years is nothing fling your hand in disgust, instead of settling for a mere $6 - $8 million on a team with a modest shot at a championship, outside of Miami and he's going to be hanging around in chaotic mess of an offense.
Nash isn't the type of guy who wants to ring chase. Who really cares that Payton got a ring with Miami in 06. No one outside of Gary himself, but even he might not be that proud of it. When talking and comparing Payton with other great point guards, is anyone legitimately going to use payton won a ring as a backup to form any type of good argument at all? Nash isn't about ring chasing. He doesn't need to have his career validated by winning a ring especially by latching on to another contender. Anyways if he goes to Canada and influences a lot of people up there, that is what builds a legacy, not a ring chasing championship. Payton's legacy was untouched by his championship with Miami.
I tend to not put too much weight on young talent coming in with few exceptions (#1 pick). It's hard to imagine rookies having a significant, in spite of whatever numbers they put up. I know there are some great examples (Duncan, LBJ) but again it's few. Heat, Celtics, Knicks, Pacers, 76ers are gauranteed to make playoffs, barring serious injuries. Bulls, Magic, Hawks: likely in some cases, and unlikely in others. Bucks and Raptors, if they get Nash, will be fighting for a spot. The Nets may make some noise too. I don't believe the Raptors will be relevant, even with Nash. --- About the salary situation: of course over a 3-year contract, Nash would be forfeiting a lot of money. I considered that before I posted, but I also think that celebrities (athletes, Hollywood, musicians) feel strongly about being on the spotlight and talked about. The experience, as well as a chance to win, of being on national TV 30-40 times a year, is important. A chance to make big shots in the 2nd round, ECF, or finals is hard to ignore. In the interviews posted by ESPN, reporters asked Nash about the situation and he sounded like he wanted to make a run for a championship. He maneuvered around questions of PHX and TOR (before the $12 mill. number, I presume). Assuming he loses $15-20m over a 3 year period, is it worth not making the playoffs/being bounced in the 1st round over playing as a NYK, LAL, or Heat on national TV for a few more years? The amount of money is significant, obviously, but there are many more things to consider and I still hold out hope that Nash is able to find a balance. The Raptors is not the answer for his fans or for him professionally. He may not care, his decision.
