This article just showed up on ESPN front page this evening:
Click the pretty linkyObviously, Steve Nash doesn't outright come and say "I will sign with the Heat." The article even notes it could be just a move to get more money. That said, it is important what he said:
"I'm not coming back to the Suns if there isn't improvement," Nash told Patrick.
And, in answer to a question about going to the Heat to join LeBron James:
"I would listen," Nash said. "He's phenomenal. I love what they're doing there. A lot of people don't like them because they put all that talent there. But they're professional, they play hard, they play together. Their coaching staff has done a great job, so I have a tremendous amount of respect for them.
"I would definitely listen."
Would it really surprise anyone if he did? Take a pay cut (the Heat won't be able to offer much...) to be far and away the favorites to win the championship. It would be nigh impossible, except for injury luck, to keep that team from winning, especially if they get an upgrade at the 5 position and/or Norris Cole develops into a 6th man (which seems entirely possible, given his clear talent). He can be a Nate Robinson type player.
Honestly? I would absolutely love for this to happen. I know a lot of people have an incredible, blind hatred towards the Heat, but hear my case, here.
Next year, the Celtics will almost certainly not be contenders in any way shape or form. There are people that argue they aren't this year, and I disagree, but let's not talk about that in this thread, mkay? Anyway, it is incredibly likely next year's team, as we can all agree, will not be a contender. If they are lucky with the draft and free agency, they might be a decent fringe play-off team.
Without the Celtics to seriously root for (though I always will, bleed green), I won't mind as much if the Heat dominate the rest of the East. I certainly do not want the Heat to win THIS year, I would hate it if that happened, if they grabbed Steve Nash? I would pull for them, honestly (at least in games not vs. the Celtics!).
Think about the media storm that would follow this! Think how conflicted every NBA fan would be if this happened? Steve Nash: universally adored, the Heat: almost universally despised. Nobody would know what to do. This would be the most divisive sports story in the past 5 years! It would create endless story-lines, give a future HOFer one last real shot for a ring, and provide breathtakingly good basketball to watch.
I also just LOOOOVE the sound of this storyline: LeBron James and Chris Bosh go to join Dwyane Wade in Miami to win "not one, not two ..." championships. The Decision, one of the most infamous media debacles in the history of the sport, and the way James screwed over Cleveland, to almost insure a chance at creating a dynasty. However, despite the hype, the Heat stumbled against veteran HOFers Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki and the veteran Dallas Mavericks squad in the NBA Finals. The Heat stormed back the next season to avenge their loss, plugging some holes in their team and adapting as players (LeBron, for example, focuses on his post game). However, the Heat's holes are too big, and are exploited by [insert your favorite team here] in the playoffs. Under intense media scrutiny, and echoes of "FAILURE" ringing across ESPN and the basketball world, 38-year-old HOFer Steve Nash joins them in free agency. His experience and wiles were needed to carry this athletic "super team" to a ring.
Not only would it be pretty satisfying in this sense, but the fact that they need to add Steve Nash, an old unathletic but effective point guard, virtually diffuses the concept of a "Big 3" superstar tandem. Even with that massive amount of talent, with 3 perennial all-stars (one a Finals MVP), they still need the seasoned veteran.
