What Can Laker Fans Expect From Nash?

Leadership.

Remember that feeling of utter agony and pain you had while watching Kobe and Co. stumble and fumble around at the end of games, and in key stretches over the last couple seasons? No need to reply, as I already know the answer. Of course you do, just as I remember each maddening misstep, and every last-second bailout where Bryant was forced into a leaning (double, triple, quadruple pump-fake) “Kobe-shot” with 2 guys literally hanging on him. Folks, rightfully, complained of the anemic offense in crunch-time. Disgusted by indecision, frustrated by predictability, and upset over the reality of Bryant no longer being able to simply “create” or impose his ‘will’ at any given time. No, that is not a knock against Bryant, rather it is simply an unfortunate reality of playing 16+ years in this league.

In steps a 38-year-old Steve Nash. I acknowledge his age, as a courtesy to everyone mentioning his inability to defend. Don’t worry, we’ll get to that later. On offense, there may not have been a better fit (of players actually available) in terms of skill-set and timing.

The Lakers look COMPLETELY lost in the half-court set!!!

Nash is the best point guard (over the last 20 years) at probing through traffic, maintaining the dribble, and finding an open man. Dude made Marcin Gortat an All Star-level player. I mean no disrespect to Gortat…wait, yes I do, he’s MARCIN Gortat, for goodness sakes! Gortat was a guy that averaged eight points, 6 rebounds on his career, and was best known for his God-awful Jordan/Jumpman tattoo, but Nash utilized him as the main and only option on a depleted Suns roster this season.

The Lakers don’t use the big men enough…

Refer to previous answer.

Mike Brown‘s offense is HORRIBLE!!!

That’s debatable, but I would also remind you of the fact that the Lakers played a majority of the season with a small forward that couldn’t hit a shot to save his life, and point guards that as 710ESPNLA’s Max Kellerman often pointed out didn’t deserve to be called “point guards” since they “couldn’t score/generate points, and couldn’t actually guard anyone.” Again, I’m certainly not going completely excuse Coach Brown, as the team was totally lost while out on the court, at times. I’m just not willing to fully blame the man for not being able to back me a cake without the flour and eggs.

Nash can’t defend ANYONE!!!

First of all, there are only about five point guards that actually (consistently) play defense at a high level. Yes, at 38, Nash is going to have nights where his man takes him to lunch on defensive end. Difference is, Laker point guards have been trashed for years, only, Nash has the ability to actually throw a counter-punch of his own. He’s the best pure shooter I’ve seen at that position. Yes, better than Mark Price. Definitely, better than the artist formerly known as Ason Kidd, the all-time leader in 3-pointers made as a point guard. For those unaware, the guy shoots nearly 50% from the field (career), 43% from the 3-point line, and over 90% from the free throw line.

How is Kobe going to mesh with Nash? I heard on ESPN First Take that…

Excuse me, but you can go ahead and stop right there. That show is all about drama, hyperbole, hype, and ratings. They are not a viable news source in the slightest. Much like this article, First Take is merely based on opinion. Unlike this article, or anything you will see on this website, we are not bound by friendships, nor relationships with these professional athletes. We have no hidden agenda, for that matter, either. All of that said, look at things logically. If Kobe were not willing to make necessary adjustments to his game, would he have called/recruited Nash in the first place? Of course, Bryant wants to win, and look good while doing it. Unfortunately, the “Kobe Show” hasn’t been successful in several years. As intelligent as Bryant is, he realized this even before you had the time to think, tweet, or cry about it to a friend, or even radio talk show host. If Bryant were not fully on-board, then this wouldn’t have been an option. Plus, let’s face it, Kobe can always refer to this moment…if so inclined:

With the rumors of Dwight Howard (potentially) on the horizon, I will wait in order to make any predictions or assessments on this roster. Whether a deal is made for Howard, or Pau is involved in a transaction, regardless of the front office saying “not much is coming”, I do not believe this roster will look anywhere near the same as it did last season. One thing is certain, the addition of Nash was a positive move, and one that places the Lakers in the right direction.

Be sure to vote on the poll:

———————————————————————————————————————————————

Jabari A. Davis

@RealTalkOnSprts on Twitter