OT: Nash wants to get paid

[Rhal]

Espn reports: Steve Nash is on the record that he prefers to stay with the Phoenix Suns beyond this season, however he's not going to accept a new low-dollar contract.

According to The Arizona Republic, Nash told the Associated Press the Suns would be doing it "at their own peril" if they don't pay him what he's worth.

Nash is on the books for $11.68 million this season.

Nash, 38, also said he expects to play for a few more seasons.

"When people ask me, I just say I can play a couple more years," says Nash. "I could say three more years. Who knows? Maybe five. I think I could play a long time if I want to."

Could make the suns more interested in trying to package him with Frye/Childress contract if they want to start a full rebuild and not pay him in the off season. Don't think this effects us in anyway because they would ask for Batum for him and I doubt we will give him up.
I can see Orlando making a play for him with offering JJ Redick, Nelson and Orton for Nash/Childress and trying to convince Dwight to stay.

 

[speeds]

Another three years at this level, if he has it in him, will push Nash to top-3 all-time in assists and top-5 all-time in 3P field goals. Keep in mind Nash didn't crack six assists per game until his fifth year in the NBA!

 

[magnifier661]

If Orlando could get Nash and frye for reddick, Turk and their pick I think Dwight would stay IMO. Nash would make Howard look like shaq. They would be stupid not to try and offer something.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I wouldn't want a 39 year old Nash on a multiple year contract for what he wants. I remember watching Stockton grow old on the floor at that age. It was embarrassing to watch.

 

[magnifier661]

I wouldn't want a 39 year old Nash on a multiple year contract for what he wants. I remember watching Stockton grow old on the floor at that age. It was embarrassing to watch.

And yet Stockton was still better than most current pgs

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

And yet Stockton was still better than most current pgs

That's a good point, but his playing time wained and his defense became pedestrian....

 

[magnifier661]

That's a good point, but his playing time wained and his defense became pedestrian....

What he gives u in leadership and offense will offset any defensive liability IMO.

 

[magnifier661]

If you guys loved Miller's ability to lob passes to Aldridge at the rim; you will love Nash. Right now, Nash is at least twice as good of a floor general as Miller. I read these "I miss Andre posts" and these very same posters are against Nash coming to Portland. Nash is much better than Miller. Nash only requires roughly 2-3 more mil per than Miller and I suspect even Nash 3 years down the road will be better than the Miller we had last season.

The reason why Phoenix isn't doing well is Nash doesn't have that post presence like he had with Amare. Going to Orlando or Portland will be the best fit. I would add Minny, but they already have 2 very capable PGs to run the offense.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

What he gives u in leadership and offense will offset any defensive liability IMO.

Ya know, I get all that. I really do. It's just that I have a hard time hitching our wagon to a 39 year old PG. Especially for the money he will demand.

 

[B-Roy]

If Orlando could get Nash and frye for reddick, Turk and their pick I think Dwight would stay IMO. Nash would make Howard look like shaq. They would be stupid not to try and offer something.

Why the hell do the Suns want Turk back? They dumped him in the first place.

 

[Masbee]

I wouldn't want a 39 year old Nash on a multiple year contract for what he wants. I remember watching Stockton grow old on the floor at that age. It was embarrassing to watch.

You tripping.

I remember wathcing Stockton his last couple of seasons, seeing his decline, and then realizing that his play at the end of his career.....

was still better than the shit we were forced to watch as Blazer fans.

Stockton was still decent at the end.

"Embarassing"? Bullshit.

 

[speeds]

Wonder if this has to do with his recent divorce? Get some of that money back...

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Nash in a wheelchair would be better than any pg we've had here in years.

 

[magnifier661]

Nash would be Miller X2 for the next 3 years. If you think Miller was good, wait until we got Nash.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

You tripping.

I remember wathcing Stockton his last couple of seasons, seeing his decline, and then realizing that his play at the end of his career.....

was still better than the shit we were forced to watch as Blazer fans.

Stockton was still decent at the end.

"Embarassing"? Bullshit.

Apparently you didn't see too many of his games. But whatever.

Nash isn't coming here- period. And it's for the best.

 

[jlprk]

Right now, Nash is at least twice as good of a floor general as Miller.

I continue to say that Nash will be half as effective in McMillan's system as in Phoenix, so he won't be worth the money he commands.

Second point: Since he knows this, he won't sign here.

Third point: So to get Nash to sign, you must first fire McMillan.

I keep saying this, but you never include this prerequisite in your Nash posts. Why oh why will no one learn at the feet of the Master?

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I guess the bottom line is that we will never see Nash in Portland. So while it's ok to dream about it, it's a moot point.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Apparently you didn't see too many of his games. But whatever.

Nash isn't coming here- period. And it's for the best.

How do you know this? Maybe he is receptive to the idea

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

How do you know this? Maybe he is receptive to the idea

You're probably right.

 

[MickZagger]

I wouldn't want a 39 year old Nash on a multiple year contract for what he wants. I remember watching Stockton grow old on the floor at that age. It was embarrassing to watch.

It was embarassing to watch Stockton grow old? He had a 21 PER in his final year in the league. Hardly 'embarassing'.

 

[Minstrel]

Apparently you didn't see too many of his games. But whatever.

Stockton was never "embarrassingly" bad. He was never even below average as a point guard (beyond his rookie season). I don't think PER is a be-all, end-all conversation ender, but he was putting up a 21 PER at age 40 (his last season). His minutes had dipped to about 28 per game, but that's still amazing. In fact, ever since he first began posting 20+ PER seasons (his fourth season, at age 25) he never again dipped below 20 PER for the rest of his career. That's just unbelievable consistency of excellent play.

His Assist Rate was still phenomenal at age 40 and he was still scoring extremely efficiently. Even defensive metrics think he was playing good defense at age 40. I think Stockton is both overrated and underrated. He was never a transcendent superstar, IMO, but he had one of the greatest overall careers ever.

And the numbers support what I actually saw. He was still smart, setting teammates up and shooting well. He never looked overmatched.

 

[MickZagger]

Stockton had incredibly large hands for a guy his size, quick hands and he was a super smart player. Even with the athletes at PG today I think Stockton would have given guys fits. Ultra competitive, too.

 

[BBert]

Nash would be too expensive in terms and assets to acquire him, and too expensive in terms of the contract he is apparently demanding. And has been pointed out, he would not be the Steve Nash we've all coveted for the last decade if Nate were still the coach. It was a nice dream for the nano-second it lasted.

 

[MickZagger]

John Stockton is my hero.

 

[Minstrel]

Nash would be too expensive in terms and assets to acquire him, and too expensive in terms of the contract he is apparently demanding. And has been pointed out, he would not be the Steve Nash we've all coveted for the last decade if Nate were still the coach. It was a nice dream for the nano-second it lasted.

I think Nash is too established a star to be forced into an ill-fitting role by McMillan. I feel fairly sure that if Nash were magically added to the current Portland team, he'd play his own way, regardless of what McMillan said. I think McMillan would lose the team and, probably, the support of management if he benched someone like Nash, so he wouldn't really have any leverage.

That said, I don't see any real likelihood of Nash coming to Portland. The Suns aren't going to trade him to Portland without getting someone like Aldridge or Batum back, and trading either of them for Nash (even though Batum is not as good a player as Nash right now) doesn't make sense for Portland. As a free agent, Nash would probably want to join a team closer to contention if he left Phoenix.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

It was embarassing to watch Stockton grow old? He had a 21 PER in his final year in the league. Hardly 'embarassing'.

When I watched him the last year or two he was noticeably slower, whiffed on defense and was had to step down his minutes. That said, he was still a savy veteran guard but much less effective overall. With respect to Nash, I know he still has talent... but my primary concerns are paying someone a $10 million + contract at ages 39 and 40. More susceptible to injury, fewer minutes, a defensive liability... I just don't think he's worth it.

I admit, maybe I'm really missing the boat on it, but for some reason, white and unathletic NBA players really tend to die on the vine late in their 30's. I don't see why he'll be any different.

 

[BBert]

I think Nash is too established a star to be forced into an ill-fitting role by McMillan. I feel fairly sure that if Nash were magically added to the current Portland team, he'd play his own way, regardless of what McMillan said. I think McMillan would lose the team and, probably, the support of management if he benched someone like Nash, so he wouldn't really have any leverage.

I get that train of thought and think it is most likely correct. I loved our offense the brief time in pre-season when Andre Miller did it "his way" instead of Nate's way, for example. However, if the rest of the team isn't playing Nash's way, or isn't allowed to play Nash's way, it still hinders Nash from being Nash and our players from reaping the full benefits of playing with him. It's all just conversation anyway, since it isn't going to happen.

 

[jlprk]

Stockton had incredibly large hands for a guy his size, quick hands and he was a super smart player. Even with the athletes at PG today I think Stockton would have given guys fits. Ultra competitive, too.

Everything's a lot better now. He'd be a second-round pick nowadays.

 

[MickZagger]

When I watched him the last year or two he was noticeably slower, whiffed on defense and was had to step down his minutes. That said, he was still a savy veteran guard but much less effective overall. With respect to Nash, I know he still has talent... but my primary concerns are paying someone a $10 million + contract at ages 39 and 40. More susceptible to injury, fewer minutes, a defensive liability... I just don't think he's worth it.

I admit, maybe I'm really missing the boat on it, but for some reason, white and unathletic NBA players really tend to die on the vine late in their 30's. I don't see why he'll be any different.

All players die on the vine in their late 30's. Its not just a white guy thing.

You're changing your tune from embarassing to noticeably slower. Dude, still averaged almost 2 steals a game.

 

[MickZagger]

Everything's a lot better now. He'd be a second-round pick nowadays.

Where would Jeremy Lin be drafted in '84?