It's About Time!

It is about time the Lakers had a point guard worth mentioning. Steve Nash agreeing to a 3 year/$27 million deal with Los Angeles means the Lakers have a championship contending level floor general for the first time since Magic. L.A. fans are used to seeing Kobe pair up with noteworthy big men on the court. They are not, however, used to seeing someone that defenses must game plan for bring the ball up the court.  Clippers fans got their man last year when Chris Paul came to town. Now, those who cheer for the purple and gold can say they too got their man. Jordan Farmar and Derek Fisher are finally a mere thought of the past. Nobody will complain if Sessions leaves town. And nobody in L.A. is going to cry about Steve Blake making himself comfortable on the bench. The purple and gold nation just got what it wanted. It got what it needed. It got a point guard.

     The two time MVP may be getting up there in age (38), but still has a lot left in the tank. Nash brings an impressive resume to L.A. The 6'3, 178 pound veteran has been to eight all-star games, been a member of the All-NBA first team on three separate occasions, All-NBA second team twice, All-NBA third team twice, and is a two time winner of the all-star weekend's skills challenge. He has received numerous accolades from high school through college, where he was named the two time WCC player of the year, to the NBA, where he has recently just begun a new chapter in his playing career. The buzz he has brought to L.A. is not because of his past, however. It is because of his future. It is because of what he will bring to the table for a team most thought was going downhill.

     One week ago the Lakers were a forgotten topic. Nobody was giving the aging Kobe-led Lakers a chance at another ring any time soon. The arrival of Stephen John Nash has changed all of that. Nash gives the Lakers a whole new dimension they have not had in years. He will be able to assist the Black Mamba in bringing leadership to a team that could use more of it. Nash's positive energy should compliment Kobe's "hold-you-accountable" type leadership very well.

     Nash will also take pressure off Kobe so the Mamba does not have to dribble so much and routinely settle for contested fade-aways. His presence will hopefully limit the number of times Kobe has to go one on one against aggressive double teams. First of all, Nash will bring the pick and roll, something almost foreign to L.A., to the offense. Secondly, Nash will space the court for Bryant (something Sessions was unable to do).
     Most people do not realize this, but Steve Nash is among the NBA's greatest shooters of all time. He's known for his top notch vision and excellent passing, but his smooth jump shot is often overlooked. Nash is the only player of all time to be in the top ten in both 3 point percentage (8th) and free throw percentage (1st). It is safe to say those guarding him must stay home, because if Nash's men leave him to double Kobe, the veteran guard will no doubt make them pay.

     His leadership, ability to knock down shots, and his comfort level with the pick and roll will make L.A. look like a completely transformed team. Not only will he make the game easier for Kobe (still one of the game's elite performers), but big men Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol (assuming neither is traded for Dwight Howard) will also find themselves scoring easy buckets on a nightly basis because of his presence. Those four alone provide a scary level of talent. If Metta World Peace can pick up the slack on defense and hit open shots then L.A. has to be the favorites in the West.

     The Oklahoma City Thunder are currently the team to beat. But if Steve Nash experiences a smooth transition into L.A., then Durant might have to wait another year before earning his first ring. Nash has Los Angeles back in championship contention. NBA fans might finally get the finals match they have longed for: Miami versus L.A. One thing is for sure; Steve Nash in purple and gold makes that match-up seem extremely possible.