The Steve Nash Effect

Not sure if you already knew this, but Steve Nash is available this offseason for signing. Surely he is a bit up there in age but remains one of the best point guards in the NBA. And unlike Douchebag Devon Williams (Thanks for killing the Jazz, sir), Steve Nash is a Class-A guy that will do whatever it takes to win without jeopardizing or threatening the franchise he is playing in. He has always been a team player, a wonderful athlete, and a great model as to what basketball players should be.

He is a two-time MVP that will deliver 100% to every game without complaint. Now, with the NBA talent being a bit more widespread, point guards have increased in value in recent years. Excellent players like LeBron James, Dwight Howard, and Carmelo Anthony have lacked a championship ring mainly because they don’t have a point guard to help create plays to further home their skills---among other reasons. I have compiled a list of the 5 basketball teams (With room to get him by the way) that will not only benefit from Nash joining them, but would and should propel them from playoff team to championship contender.

Close Contenders:
Memphis Grizzlies
Chicago Bulls


#4: New York Knicks

This is my dark horse pick. As a matter of fact, you could have just as easily thrown in the Grizzlies and Bulls on this fourth spot. It’s a dark horse pick because the Knicks already have a point guard—like Memphis and Chicago. But I place the Knicks here nonetheless because having Nash at front and the explosive Jeremy Lin off the bench would be a devastating combination that is not only feasible, it would be downright dangerous. Jeremy Lin is incredible—in small packages. He still doesn’t have the stamina to last a whole season as starter. Imagine being under the wing of Nash and come off the bench still with that energy that made him a media frenzy earlier in February. Much like Ginobli and Reddick, Lin would be the backup with starter potential that would give opposing second teams a run for their money. Nash, Melo, Amare, and Lin in the background? Nice.


#3: Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe Bryant is getting old. Mike Brown is not the best playmaker out there. Bynum and Gasol just don’t have the ability to consistently push and score points. Steve Nash would fix all this by crafting the shots, drawing pressure away from Kobe, and giving everyone else room to breathe and create some havoc. Not sure what the Lakers can financially secure but in terms of energy they need a major boost. Bryant’s willpower has always been there, but he’s quite a jerk in terms of trying to become a leader. With Steve Nash on board, Bryant can focus more on scoring while also doubling as a second dangerous passer. Nash, Bynum, Gasol, and Bryant together? Yikes.


#2: Orlando Magic

This is the sure-fire truth: The Orlando Magic right here, right now with the team intact are a point guard away from being truthfully the top team in the East. They have the shooters, they have the strategy-changing center (even if I hate him), and they have the depth that not even the Miami Heat can duplicate. You grab Nash and allow Nelson to push to shooting guard, then we have ourselves a squad that can outshoot you anytime, anyday. Steve Nash running the floor would be perfect for the Magic because they are small and they are very agile---and will definitely score 100-115 points a game.





#1: Miami Heat


Nobody tell Miami this, but Steve Nash on the team would guarantee them a championship, despite the weakish bench, and despite the lack of clutch. Wade, Nash, James and Bosh on the floor at the same time is strictly outrageously good enough to truly be a force to be reckoned with. Nash being able to feed two Hall of Famers on offense would be nothing short of euphoria for South Beach. Now, critics of this choice would argue the lack of a good coach (although Van Gundy might be available soon…) and good bench would still prevent the Heat from topping the Spurs and Thunder in this competitive league but the truth is with the energy Miami plays with and with the Big Three learning to co-exist amongst one another---why couldn’t they win it all under Nash? What could possibly stop them? The Heat are just missing a decent point guard to truly be a contender, and with Nash there’s no way they could fail. I just can’t see it.