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

[ad]

"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?"

You still didnt answer what they are going to do with calderon. Also hypothetically if the lakers and raptors are interested in steve nash hes going to pick the raptors? Yeah right. He was just talking like pro athletes do about keeping all options open.

Blogger's note: Entirely simple. Keep him. Another no-brainer as he becomes an even more attractive asset as a backup and as a guy with a big expiring contract next year. Entirely simple.

[Eric M]

I'm not sure about signing Nash. I mean, yes he will help your team, but maybe we need a point gaurd of the future. Most of the really good teams in the league have a solid young point gaurd that takes a few years of development. It's weird to hear you change your tone of instead of completely rebuilding, to add a 38 year old. It is worth looking into, but I truly doubt this would happen.

As for All-Start Weekend, I barely watched any of it. It's just too much of a joke with all the corporate sponsorship and gimics. Didn't see the game last night, but am interested in seeing the fourth quarter.

[511]

Love the Nash idea. LOVE it.

[JohnnieP]

ok, so it looks like you're serious. I have to say, I really do wish that I could have been a fly on the wall (or on your shoulder) during the weekend, if only to have overheard the types of conversations that have inspired you to support this idea (one that I'd have thought would be dismissed as unattainable just a week ago).

With that said, even though you believe that Jose would be cool with it, which I believe (he's always struck me as a great team first guy, more interested in collective success than his own), I would have to suggest that it would make more sense to me to move him for picks/young prospects in advance of such a move, if only so that the people he was making better and mentoring would have a genuine shot at coming into their prime by the time the team was ready to challenge.

The cap space that moving Jose could free up might also be useful for enticing another A-list talent to join a team that Nash believes enough in to join.

What I'd regret most about seeing such a move is one that's already been articulated above, i.e. that this would most certainly mean that Nash retires without a ring, one I believe he most richly deserves.

As for the Canada connection - it's not why one would make the move, but likely the only factor that makes the move a remote possibility, and bringing in people who WANT to play here is a HUGE part of the battle.

You've certainly got me thinking.... thanks.

[drew]

Doug. Thanks for the obvious on steve nash. People who don`t agree with that thought don`t understand what he brings to the table, as its more then just him playing. Its what he brings to better the team as a whole. Not too many people in the NBA have that ability, thank you.

I never want to see that boy wanna be band sing the national anthem again!!! I was disgusted and by the looks on steve nashes face he was aswell. Terrible!!

Dunk contest should be open to non professionals to attend. The guys on you tube are killing dunks. You want competition, then invite a non pro to go against a NBAer on live TV. Winner gets some serious coin, then you`ll have a competition as its all ego based. Bring back the judges aswell, as the voters are right out of er!

[Mos High]

Im sorry to burst a bubble hear. I cant see why Nash would sign in Toronto? Because he is from Canada? He isnt even from Toronto much less Ontario. Oh I know why he doesnt mind being on a franchise he know wont win. Im sorry, maybe 3 yrs ago, but not now.

He is still a dangerous point guard who certainly makes his players better. He is so good that Phoenix is 21-14..ooops 14-20, he so good lead the team to playoffs last year..oops no. He is so good they got to NBA finals, oops no. Actually he should come to Toronto and play for Casey so he could learn to play defense!!!

I like Nash but all that nice guy stuff runs thin sometime, Nash if you say I want to be moved nobody will hate you!!!! nice fit (Miami,Lakers,knicks or Portland)

Lets not turn Raptors into the leafs, if he plays here for 2 years they will want to retire his jersey in Toronto.

Keep Jose and find a way to get Chandler on this team. The guy is decent scorer and can rebound the ball at the 3 spot.

[james]

Allow me to join this campaign. I think the situation you very effectively outline could well appeal to Steve. I don't see him as being about "chasing a championship" in the Gary Payton//Ray Bourque sense, other than it is always about that wherever you play. And Jose will be fine with it because he's an adult.

[LeeZ]

The wisdom on Nash has always been that he makes the players around him better. I would like to quibble with that, and it's not just semantics I'm quibbling about. What he does, I would argue, is not make them better players, but rather puts them into a position to make insanely easy, pressure-free baskets. So, I think what he does is help those players PERFORM better. But do they become better PLAYERS? Is Shawn Marion, to use just one example, as good as or a better player than when he was with the Suns? I would say no, he never performed as well as when he was with Nash. It's almost like Nash is a crutch for these guys, giving them great open looks and layups galore. So, if he were on the Raptors, would people like Davis and JV perform better while he's out there? Absofrickinglutely! But will he help them become better players? I don't think so. You could even make the case that it might stunt their development, because once he's gone and they actually have to create their own open looks, they'll be starting from scratch. That's why I think Nash is a GREAT addition to a contending team that wants to get over the hump, but not for a team such as the Raps. Doug, I'd genuninely be interested in hearing your thoughts on this. I'm not at all 100% certain about this, but it's my hunch.

[Kunja]

Colangelo I HOPE YOU READ THIS ARTICLE!!!!!!

[Jump]

If Nash enters free agency, the Lakers will snatch him up, provided they don't get Devon Williams. Nash will make the Lakers an instant NBA Threat.

[Clayton]

Interesting idea. But wouldn't it be better to try and invest more broadly in younger talent, at a position which is a real weakness? Calderon isn't an all-star, but he is a very decent point guard and is much younger than Nash. Nash is a class act, and is having a great year, but he's 38 - nobody staves off Father Time forever. It sure would sell a lot of tickets though, and be a nice closing chapter to Nash's excellent career, but I think the Raptors should build from the ground up with young players...

[Peter]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was pretty sure that I read on this blog earlier this season that Nash wasn't going to come here, and that, in Doug's opinion, it didn't make sense, or fit the plan that Colangelo was working with. Now, after an interview with Nash, we get this. Something's up. Anybody else remember Doug saying that we shouldn't ask about Nash coming here because it doesn't make sense? I'm SURE it's in one of the blogs, or comment sections from this season. And now you're sure that Jose wouldn't have a problem with it? How much has this been discussed. What's going on? Is this written to get Colangelo's attention for a reason?

Blogger's note: Things change; always have, always will. Timing is everything

[Matthieu]

Hi Doug,
Like many I was quite surprised to read your blog today! I guess you've made a good case for trying to get Nash (a team with him, Andrea, Jonas and a good draft pick might be very entertaining to watch) although I can also understand why it irks some people. I'm just curious to know what prompted you to write that. In particular, is it linked with anything that was mentioned in the conversation you had with Steve on Friday?

Blogger's note: Seemed to be the right time, slow day; been in my mind a while.

[DannyFromFreddy]

Why oh why do so many people love to hate on Jose? He will go down as the best point guard that the Raps have had in their short history (I'm talking about ability while playing for the Raps and not what they had done before they got here). He always has one of the best assists to turn over ratios and has always been a "team first" guy.

I would love to see Jose remain a Raptor for the rest of his career but if there is a good trade out there, I'm sure Bryan would not hesitate to trade Jose. I'm OK with that but would be sad to see him go.

[Lorie]

Hello Doug!
Jose Calderon and Steve Nash. Both playing for the Raptors. At the same time. Together. Sitting side by side on the bench. High-fiving each other after a victory. The thought of it is so wonderful. Could it be? One smiles just contemplating the possibility. (And THIS trade scenario is a kabillion times more tantalizing than any of the pucks ones that were chewed on, digested, and contents analyzed ad nauseum today.) Cheers! Go Raps!

[Manale]

It's an absolute crime that The Raptors as an organization havent done everything in their power to sign Steve Nash.

Maybe they have, but I highly doubt it.

Maybe it's because I like Nash's personality in addition to his stellar game play, but if I was a Raptors GM I would've tried building the team around the guy years ago.

The fact that he's a Canadian? That's the maple syrup on on the pancake.

[sportschick]

Would love to see Nash on the Raps if it would work out financially.

Wade breaking Kobe's nose in an All Star game? Ridiculous. Adds more flavour to a possible matchup in the finals if that is possible..

[Kk]

It's funny you should say that 'people change'. I truly believe that a few years down the road, those spiteful small-minded posters around here will mellow out, and learn to forget that long-forgotten reply that hurt their feelings. And perhaps their otherwise good hearts will no longer decay in vitriol and loathing.

Now, Nash, I don't think fits my own vision of this team. But it's just my opinion. It sure doesn't bother me that your opinion differs from mine. I'm secure in my place in this world that a difference of opinion won't shatter my self-esteem and pride. There are much healthier and more mature ways to develop those.

Your blog is much appreciated.

[KMAC]

Bravo Doug - I have been waiting for someone to suggest the Nash/Raptors possibility since all the 'where's Steve going?' talk began. Yes, he is 38, but not the normal you and me 38. He is in incredible shape, and has the kind of attitude you don't see among the top players much anymore...team first. If he could bring his wisdom, skill and enthusiasm for the game to Toronto for 2-3 years...amazing. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt ticket sales either!