Just when it looked like the sun was setting on the fantastic careers of aging MVP’s Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash, an odd twist of fate has paired them together on the Lakers in a quest for Bryant’s 6th ring and Nash’s 1st.
Now that the Los Angeles Lakers have acquired two-time MVP Steve Nash, will it be enough for the Lakers to beat teams like the Thunder, the San Antonio Spurs, or the Miami Heat?
Nash is an 8-time All-Star who was 2nd in the NBA in assists per game last season, but Nash led the NBA in overall assists. At 38, Nash is older than Derek Fisher, but he may be the key to another Lakers’ championship. Vegas already has the Lakers at 8-1 odds to win it all.
Nash Highlights:
As the Lakers lost the 2012 Western Conference Semi-Finals series to the Oklahoma City Thunder, it was obvious that the Lakers had some execution problems down the stretch. Despite the 4-1 loss to the Thunder, the Lakers had more chances than they needed to beat the Thunder in that series. Nash, 9th in assists per game all-time, is one of the best passers and leaders in NBA history; his presence should help the Lakers tremendously on offense. The only real problem for the Lakers is that Nash is no better than Ramon Sessions or Derek Fisher at stopping quick point guards like Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo, or Russell Westbrook.
Two bigger problems for the Lakers will be the revitalized Spurs and the reigning champion Heat.
The Spurs were playing at an all-time level this past season and playoffs. If their veteran champions Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Tim Duncan stay healthy, the Spurs always seem ready for another run at the title. Beating the Spurs will be no easy task for this Lakers team. Parker won’t be stopped, but neither will Kobe. Although the Lakers’ weakness defending the point might be nullified by their advantage at shooting guard, the Lakers might still lose a series to the Spurs. The Spurs boast a superior bench, and the Lakers have a weak one. The addition of Nash does help the Lakers’ offense, but it does not help their defense or bench, unless Nash convinces his friend Grant Hill to sign with the Lakers, as well.
While Nash helps the Lakers matchup only slightly better against the Thunder and Spurs, Nash gives the Lakers a tremendous advantage against the Miami Heat’s Mario Chalmers. Both are great team players that can make clutch shots, but Nash is a gifted floor leader. Although Chalmers is capable of making clutch shots, his ability to distribute is not going to let him take over a game like Nash can. Nash is already the best point guard the Lakers have had since Earvin “Magic” Johnson—with respect to Nick Van Exel who was good.
But, all the Steve Nash’s in the world won’t change that the Lakers will struggle to defend LeBron James. Matt Barnes, an unrestricted free agent, and Metta World Peace are all they have, and the Lakers are looking to deal World Peace.
Nash gives the Lakers more offensive efficiency, ball movement, and good decision-making, which were criticisms of the Lakers and Coach Mike Brown last season. The Lakers were already a top-tier defensive team last season. So, overall, the Lakers should be one of the most efficient teams offensively and defensively next season.
Like Bill Plaschke mentioned in the Los Angeles Times, this kind of move that makes the Lakers great offensively, but weakens them defensively, hints at another move on the horizon.
Other than a possible blockbuster deal, the Lakers’ next moves should be to bolster their bench and acquire some solid team players. But, the field of unrestricted free agents who can play small/power forward and guard players like LeBron James is very thin. To fill that spot, the Lakers could pursue Carl Landry, Kenyon Martin, Jeff Green or Mickael Pietrus. The New Orleans Hornets are trying to unload Trevor Ariza’s contract, and Ariza complemented Kobe Bryant extremely well.
Although Nash does not make the Lakers any younger or faster, the Lakers have acquired one of the premier point guards in the league. And, this helps keep Kobe Bryant’s championship window slightly open. The Lakers have arguably the best shooting guard in Kobe Bryant, and the best center in Western Conference with Andrew Bynum. So even without another major move, the Lakers have put themselves in the hunt for a championship in 2013.
No one has talked about this yet, but perhaps a greater irony than Bryant trying to win a championship with Nash, who won the 2005 and 2006 MVP’s over Bryant and knocked the Lakers out of the playoffs in consecutive years, is the connection to “Magic” Johnson. Now that the Lakers have Nash, he will pass “Magic” Johnson for 4th on the All-time assists list this season. That should be a very cool night in Laker-land.
Rob S. De France is a College and University Instructor of English Composition living in Los Angeles. He has a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Rhetoric and Composition. De France has played, coached, and officiated competitive high school basketball in California for many years. Recently, De France, his wife, and another colleague started an internationally read magazine at Shwibly.com.
