Hey, Bryan? Steve Nash is your guy, take your best shot

Okay, Bryan? You here?

Okay, good.

Anyway, after serious consideration and a few conversations around Orlando this weekend and looking at what the other options are, here is the one thing you need to do this summer more than anything else:

Throw an awful lot of money at Steve Nash to get him to sign in Toronto.

I’m talking two years at least, perhaps $18-22 million with a third year at his option, and you’ve got to try to do whatever it takes to get him to come aboard.

It’s a bold move but what the hell, isn’t that what you do?

Now, I have no idea whether Nash would even entertain the idea but knowing what I know of him, knowing his circumstances and what’s out there in the league, and after chatting with some folks around all-star weeend, I am 100 per cent confident that he will go into the free agency period with an open mind.

We know he loves Toronto as a city, we know he’s not about chasing a championship because he would have done that two years ago or forced a trade already so don’t go into it thinking you’ve got no chance.

It may be a huge long shot but you’ve got to take it.

It would be a signal to the other players on the team, the other players in the league and a fan base that’s stuck with you through some recent lean times that you’re willing to make a bold move for an immediate return.

What’s to lose?

Would you rather try to spend your money on Nicolas Batum or Wilson Chandler or Andrei Kirilenko or someone of that ilk? They’re all good players who might help your team and everthing but none of them are even close to Nash.

Nash immediately makes DeMar DeRozan better. He immediately makes Andrea Bargnani better. He immediately gets James Johnson better shots and if anyone can make it easy for Jonas Valanciunas to acclimate himself with the NBA on the offensive end, it’s a savvy, skilled point guard who has made a career out of making players better.

I bet the coach would love it, too. Your team is already young enough and you’re going to have Valanciunas and another high draft pick coming in anyway, why not get a guy who makes the transition from Europe or college easier for all. And don’t for a second think that Dwane couldn’t devise an offence – and more important, a defence – that would maximize what Nash can do.

To me, it’s a no-brainer to at least give it a shot; it hastens the rebuilding or retooling process and, as I mentioned, is a clear sign that you’re serious about getting things changed and changed relatively fast.

I’ll get back to you in July when it comes time to spend some of that money you’ve got; until then, think about it, please.

-

Of all the pretentious affectations out there, I’m thinking glasses without glass are a tad over the top, no?

Not sure if it’s going for the Geek Chic kind of look or what but, really, I’m suggesting it’s more silly than anything.

And they were all over the weekend I just spent.

Please, no more.

-

Okay, that might have been the best all-star game I’ve seen in a very long time.

Even the silliness of the first three quarters or so wasn’t over-the-top silly and the fourth quarter was really played at a high level and the final four or five minutes were like a real basketball game.

Not sure why, exactly, but maybe this group gets it better than the others did, that fans want to see a bit of a show but also want some genuine competition and the players of this era are giving it to them.

The Wade foul on Kobe, which came relatively early in the game, was a somewhat cheap shot – if it’s in a regular season game, Kobe’s coach is calling for a flagrant – and was the hardest hit I’ve seen in an all-star game in all my years.

It ended up with Kobe bleeding and suffering a broken nose – that’s why there are no post-game Kobe quotes, he was off getting CT scan – and Wade’s explanation was, to me, ridiculous.

“Yeah, I obviously didn’t want to draw no blood but I took a foul. Kobe fouled me two times in a row so he’s still got one up o n me. But I’m glad everything was cool and we got back to being competitive and having fun.”

Let me get this straight:

In an all-star game, a take-it-easy-all-star-game that’s as much about show as anything, Wade’s whining about non-calls to the extent that he intentionally fouls a guy hard enough to break his nose?

That’s crazy.

-

Yes, I slept in and didn’t even get to start this thing until about 7:30 a.m. and the best part of that?

Haven’t heard hide nor hair of NHL trades; and I’ll be fresh to ignore it the rest of the day.

Easy to do down there since no one really cares about it, to tell you the truth, but you folks back home have a wonderful time.

-

So a fella wanders outside to see what’s going on before the game – just to get a taste of the scene because I hadn’t been around a lot all weekend – and who’s on the stage they’ve got set up on the street for the pre-game concert?

Flo Rida.

It’s like all of a sudden I can’t get away from the guy; despite my best intentions to do just that.

-

It would appear that I need to go see The Artist.

Is that a correct assessment?

-

What about the HOTH?

Well, I heard this weekend that Andrea’s doing a little bit of running and on-court work, would suggest to me that it will be Friday at the very earliest that he returns and next Sunday might be more realistic.

-

To recap:

On the weekend, Dennis Rodman may or may not have told me I’m cute and Jesse Jackson shook my hand unsolicited when I bumped into him and his entourage at halftime on Sunday.

Yeah, that’s not a bad all-star weekend at all, actually.

-

Leaves make a trade yet?

I’m telling you, if the Crusty GM (who I quite like, actually, because he’s a no-nonsense quote and I don’t have to deal with him every day) doesn’t make some kind of substantial deal – and I’m talking about top of the line player or goaler and not some third line winger for a 17-year-old prospect – I would imagine the Angstometer back home will break.

On second thought, that’d be waaaay cool. No deals, Burkie. Let’s see how the citizenry reacts to that.

-

 

Comments

[AT]

Doug,
I have never been able to get on the sign Steve Nash bandwagon but I think your argument makes a lot of sense. As much as many of us have patience sitting through a lottery pick season (again) knowing that next years HAS GOT TO be better, not sure anyone wants to set through another one after this.

It would probably not be that difficult for BC to convince the new owners at MLSE either with all the marketing opportunities that would come along with a Nash signing.....

[Tim H.]

Hey Doug:

I'm not sure if that first topic should have been printed in Lorie's 'sarcasm font' or not? Were you being serious?

Blogger's note: Very serious

[tman]

Doug, if Nash comes what are you going to do with Jose? Off the bench? I don't think Jose would be ok with that considering he can be a starting PG in other teams.. So you trade him, and after two years, the raps don't have a PG they don't have a backup PG... I'm not sure Nash to Raps is a good idea.

Blogger's note: Jose would be fine with it; this I know for a fact

[JohnnieP]

I'm still thinking that your whole Steve Nash argument is an ironic provocation. Surely there must be other players closer to their prime that would send the same signal that the Nash move would...
I love Nash, and would LOVE to see him as a raptor for a few years to close out his career (maybe even leading to a front office gig), but not at the expense of the kind of player with upside whose contract would not preclude the team from making any significant moves for years...

[joeu]

Hey Doug, if you need an update on the Pucks, there's a Toronto newspaper website that's been running a front page "trade rumour of the day" article for the last 2 weeks. And get this ... it's a different rumour, every day !

[Thomas]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!! Ive been waiting 3 years for you to say the Raptors and "new point guard" in the same sentence! Not that what you say matters to anyone really including the Raptor brass....BUT you're insufferable stubborness to not be able to see Jose (beyond the fact you're a huge fan) for what he is to the team when it comes to winning. He is isnt a winner in teh NBA and the teams he QB's aren't either! And now, you admitted just how much better this team would be
with a better PG! Ha! niice!

Blogger's note: My insufferable stubborness? As opposed to, say, yours? Seriously, you want validation more than opinion and it bores me to death. But where does it say they can't have 'em both, which I believe is best. And I will point out that Jose has won more on bigger stages than anyone on this team. But that doesn't fit your mindset so is quietly ignored. Nice. Silly, but nice

[ditch]

According to Sportsnet, I was just traded to the "Watchtower" for an Irregular to be named later and cash considerations.

[Jerome Moiso]

The last thing the Raps should do while their rebuilding is sign a 38 year old PG and become a treadmill team. Be patient and sit on the cap space and Nash wants to win a ring and not be apart of this mess. But the biggest thing your over looking is Calderons contract. Even with the little amount of time left on it Colangelo hasn't been able to move him. I doubt the Raps will go after Nash if they still have Calderon in the summer and are unable to dump him. We could be stuck with Calderon up until the trade deadline of next year.

[David in Oakville]

Hmmm... you are full of surprises Doug. I didn't see the "Get Nash" bandwagon coming from you at all. I hear your reasons but really, are you sure Steve Nash doesn't want to spend the last bit of his career in pursuit of a ring? It's one thing to be the decent guy he is and not force a trade, it's another not to offer a discount for his services to a team with a likelihood of winning when he is free and clear to go where he likes. Not sure which team that is. I would agree that the teams with the best chances of winning currently have a solid young point guard so are not likely to pursue Nash.. but who knows.

I would be happy and sad at the same time. Happy because I would immediately buy into the coming season and sad because it would seem unlikely that Steve Nash ever gets a ring.

[J]

Re: the dunk contest

I miss the days when there seemed to actually be a competition. You know, when they had more than not even a handful of competitors. It's made worse when you realize some of the best dunkers aren't even in the competition, like when Carter stopped participating.

My suggestions?

Let a fan vote determine the eight participants each year. Make it near mandatory (i.e. if you don't participate, it's because you're injured or aren't attending any of the other festivities). Make the guest judges stick to a more stringent standard (it's silly when they give 10s and you realize the dunk wasn't that great); people would rather watch dunks get criticized than receive unearned praise, anyway. It's fine if an amazing performance earns 50/50 one year, and the next year, nobody breaks 42/50. Remove the stupid rule that allows you to make a billion false attempts at the hoop. Nobody cares about the baseball slugger who whiffs 100 times per homer hit. Make it three strikes, and you're out. Factor in the # of attempts into how well the dunker performed. A great dunk on the first try is always better than a great dunk on the third. Add actual incentive for the players to try to win!

[JHK]

Yes, Nash indeed, I had this idea since the lockout.
Hopefully it becomes reality.

Nash/Jose/Bayless
DD/JJ
MKG/JJ
Bargs/Ed
Val/Amir/Gray

I would consider season tickets.

One last rant about the dunk competition: We need to thank WHSNBN for not embarrassing us and putting up a show that will be forever remembered, while wearing TORONTO on his chest. No one has/will EVER come close to that stunning showcase back in 2000.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

I like your thinking, Doug. Stevie Canada. And Jose could stay on too, right?
Is Kevin Durant the most complete NBA package in a 6'10" frame since Magic Johnson at 6'9"? I'm thinking so.
Neverest? Do they intentionally model themselves after The Chipmunks, or is that just a sad coincidence?
Cheers. Go Raps!

[doug]

it was a good all-star game very entertaining and no one, no one deserves to get a broken nose at a all-star game or leg (as some may recall in another sport), Wade was out of line and as a teammate I would remember that when we play the Heat....sometimes comments on here befuddle me, first off with Nash and a healthy Barg's, JV etc. we wouldn't be a lotto team not even close and second it's not like we are straddled with Jose's contract now, many teams want him, BC could move him in a second without hesitation, people he is a top-tier NBA PG, I only think of moving him for that reason as he is a strong asset, if he can return a strong player (as he did before in Tyson Chandler) then move him....and like Doug mentions and rightfully so in my opinion if Nash had a burning desire to play for a championship he would have done it sooner.....I am not in the group that is all excited over Wilson Chandler, I like him but not for the financial implications he will have on this team moving forward, some people don't realize how good Nash is, he and he alone has made the Suns competitive this season, he alone would mean a extra 15 games in the win column to the Raps next year and he is not a average 38 year old, not even close.....I saw all the nominated movies just not the Artist, guess i need to check it out....

[sherry]

I'd love to see Steve Nash in Toronto!
Re: The Artist. It took me a while to get my butt to the theatre as it just sounded soooooo different. I finally saw it a few weeks ago and left the theatre with a smile on my face :)

[Pipit]

This Nash article is a sign that this author is running out of ideas on what to write anymore. Well, given the state of how the Raptors are playing who can blame him.

Blogger's note: What? Riiiight.

[Pipit]

Dougie you're getting emotional. One sign that you can never ever be a GM of any sports team. Nash, a Canadian on a Canadian team. Aaaawwww. Last time they have something like this is when Triano got the head coaching gig. We all know how horrible that turns out especially when Casey proves to everybody that he can make Andrea and Jose move their butts. The Raptors are rebuilding. If you don't believe me, ask Colangelo and his minions. Getting Nash violates all known rules of rebuilding a team. The vision of any team rebuilding is for long term. Don't paralyze the Raptors salary cap by getting a very good player whose at the dawn of his career and has a bad back at 38 years old. Yes, Nash will be good for two at most 3 years but getting him won't even give the Raptors a chance to get a championship or even be closer to it unless he will sign for a veteran's minimum. I know your running out of ideas and you do want to stir the Raptor's nation. I understand you, Doug which is why on my small way I'm helping you by putting a lot of comments here in your blog.

Blogger's note: Whatever

[doug]

@pipit get over yourself, your wrong on so many levels it's mind-boggling, first off if you can get a 2 time MVP who is still playing at a MVP level you get him, no matter what his age, next you state 3 years as if it is nothing, in the NBA if you can get 3 productive years from a player any player you go for it, and next and the biggest point you fail to see or mention is the key one Doug made and the one I think is the biggest reason why you go after Nash....and that is the mentoring aspect, Nash makes all those around him better, always has, so a James Johnson, a JV, a Barg's would all improve significantly with him on the roster so therefore we are closer to a championship because those players are learning and growing....so you state Doug is just trying to stir the pot, or has run out of things to talk about, I tend to disagree, he raises a salient point/fact in regards to Nash...as for this team to move forward you need a talent infusion plain and simple and it won't all come thru the draft as that is fool's gold and Nash is pure talent no matter what his nationality and believe me Doug is closer then being GM material then you are proving to be....cheers...

[Tim H.]

@pipit - I would think that "getting a very good player at the dawn of his career" would be a FANTASTIC idea!

And, believe it or not, Doug gets plenty of comments - actual, INTELLIGENT comments - without you. He doesn't need you to fill the comment section with your garbage. Please go away so that I don't waste my precious time reading your inane comments!

[ad]

Why would the rebuilding raptors sign a declining steve nash? Makes absolutely no sense. First of all, what to do they do with calderon first? Are you assuming hes traded or amnestied? Second of all, at this point in his career nash would definitely prefer to play for a title contender which the raptors are far from. 5 years ago sure. Now, no thank you. You sound like those people who want to sign him just because hes Canadian. Also, whatever happened to that great Canadian coach triano? is he still with the raptors?

Blogger's note: Declining? Do you even watch games? And this has nothing to do with nationalities and everything to do with talent. And when was the last time you talked to Steve? Was it after I did on Friday?

[Mike kovacs]

Doug I agree about getting Nash. I hope you realize, however, that by doing this you have opened the floodgates of speculation about all sorts of ideas of moves this summer to be discussed NOW!

[alex]

I fully agree. Getting Nash for 2-3 years are around 10mil per season makes a lot of sense.

[sam]

Your argument for Steve Nash as a member of the HOTH reminds me why I'm a big fan of José - He's Steve Nash Lite with a better haircut.
If it does come to pass,(Which I'm not opposed to) it's just a matter of time before someone questions his defence

[GM]

What's this obsession with players needing to get "a ring"? Back when I started watching basketball at the dawn of the Magic-Bird era, there was never any mention of that. Players played and did their best (or not) and let the chips fall where they may. These days everyone has to go find a team to piggyback on to get their precious ring? How meaningful is it if you have to go to an already championship caliber team and go along for the ride to get your ring? Hopefully Nash is old-school like that. Yes, a championship would be a great feather in his cap, but if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. The Hall of Fame is filled with great players who never were lucky enough to win a championship.

Which leads me to some of the objections here about getting Nash: If a ring is what he's chasing, it's a moot point because he wouldn't come to the Raptors. So that's no reason not to try to get him. He won't come if he's looking for an easy ride to a championship.

At 38-40 years of age, as he would be, I think it's a great idea to have both him and Calderon. Injuries are always a possibility, and the older you get, the longer it takes to heal. So why not, if Jose is okay with it?

[saatuk]

We could be stuck with Calderon up until the trade deadline of next year.

------------------

I certainly hope so, and not just til the trade deadline, but until the end of his contract and I further hope they can sign him for more. Why would you want to fet rid of a very good NBA point guard - they aren't easy to come by? And he's the kind of guy who would come off the bench to help the team if necessary. I see no way getting rid of Jose makes the Raptors better.

[Cluck Kent]

Kevin Durant is the tallest 6'10" guy I've ever seen. I'd be very surprised if he wasn't 7' in his shoes. He looked every bit as tall as Dwight out there.

In the old days, players weren't buddy-buddy like they are today and the Allstar game was a chance to be friendly for a change. Today, it's the reverse.

Steve Nash. Gosh, that would be great for all the reasons you stated. IMO another advantage is we could count on him to give 100% and not be freaked out by playing in Toronto. I'm not sure which other FAs you could say that about. And I'm sure it works with or without Jose. Jose loves TO. I'm betting he'd rather be a back up here to Steve than a starter with any other team in the league.