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Steve Nash in Utah (part two): Nash’s Potential Effect
Posted by: David J. Smith on May 14th, 2012
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.After laying out the reasons why Steve Nash might possibly consider the Utah Jazz as a free agent destination, here are some of the potential effects bringing the All-Star, All-NBA, All-World point guard to Utah.
And again, the disclaimer: I am under no illusions here. I understand that the likelihood is not the greatest, but in the NBA, stranger things have happened:
- Steve Nash is the epitome of a true leader, the proverbial “makes every guy around him better” player. Think of the lengthy list of those who have never been better before or after their time with Nash (not to say they have not enjoyed success elsewhere): Amar’e Stoudamire, Shawn Marion, Quentin Richardson, Boris Diaw, Raja Bell, Marcin Gortat, Shannon Brown, Leandro Barbosa. He would make everyone on the Jazz roster better.
- In that vein, think of the way one of the game’s best playmakers could accelerate the growth, learning, and experience of our young core four. Derrick Favors would be devastating in the a pick-and-roll tandem with Nash. Likewise, Enes Kanter’s pick-and-pop could emerge with a proper set-up man. Gordon Hayward would get an offensive boost, as he is often the main facilitator when he’s on the court (given Devin Harris’ sometimes limited passing abilities). Having another passer–let alone one of Nash’s caliber–would free him up. And how could a shooter/slasher like Alec Burks not grin at the very notion of filling the lanes with Nash leading the charge?
- The veterans also would naturally benefit from his presence. Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap would get better shots, with less forced, one-on-one moves. Jefferson would need to move quicker with the ball (something that should occur no matter what).
- Nash is one of the best clutch players, as evidenced by his game-winner in ESA this season. He knows how to make the plays down the stretch. He knows when the pass and he knows when to shoot. Seeing as the Jazz lost several games in the fourth quarter, having a quarterback who is always calm and collected can help the young team learn even better how to win the close ones.
- Anyone who says there are not superstar calls in the NBA is probably kidding themselves. And Nash is, even at the age of 38, still a superstar.
- Beyond his exceptional passing skills, Nash is one of the best shooters of all time. He shot a career-high 53.2% from the field, while nailing 39.0% from downtown. He has shot 50% or better in seven of the past eight seasons in Phoenix. And that 39.0% constitutes the second-lowest 3-point mark for his career (has eclipsed the 40% mark in 13 of his 16 seasons). On a team that struggles with perimeter marksmanship, his shooting would open things up down low for the bigs.
- Did I mention Nash’s 89.4% free throw shooting? Well, let me mention that. Oh, he also has shot 90% or better in seven campaigns.
- The age is certainly a factor and the Jazz would need to be prepared with the next step. Having a young protege who could learn up the tutelage of one of the NBA’s elite would allow him to grow on the job, still getting substantial time (“meaningful minutes”) seeing as Nash would be limited to 28-30 minutes a night. (cue us regaining the Golden State pick when the Draft Lottery occurs on 05.30).
- Jerry Sloan always credited Derek Fisher’s one-year in Utah as something that helped our team grow immensely. Just imagine if Steve Nash were to be here, even for two or three seasons. His work ethic, his preparation, his excellence as a true teammate would permeate.
- He is still durable, only missing four games this past season.
- He would be a coach on the court, an extension of Tyrone Corbin.
I suppose I could go on, but we’ll keep it at that for now. There are also many reasons why Nash would pass on signing with Utah, but in these two posts, you can see that there are some things that would make Utah and Steve Nash very good for each other.
Replies: 19
Views: 2478
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19 Responses
Very valid points, but I am probably in the minority among Jazz fans when I say I would be disappointed to see Utah bring Nash in. Nash is a phenomonal player and there is no doubt he would be a great influence on our young nucleus.
I would love to see a younger, up-and-coming point guard instead. Case in point would be Dragic. I feel like he’s a good fit for the Jazz system (even better than Nash), is a decent outside threat, distributes the ball well, and he is a protege of Nash. He could grow with Favors and Hayward in the coming years. I’d love to see the Jazz target him, and beyond that, even make him their top off season target.
I’d also put the other Houston option, Kyle Lowry, ahead of Nash on my PG wish list.
Great thoughts, Shane. Thanks for sharing! You have good points. I love Dragic, too. He would be a top choice of mine as well. And if the Rockets opt to stick with him, trading for Lowry would be a logical move, as well.
Thanks David. Love your analysis on Nash though….obviously he’s a great player that any team would be fortunate to have.
I’ve always seen Nash as Stockton without the defense. (And obviously not as great as John, given the career numbers he’s posted compared to Nash’s.) I think it would be an incredible asset to have Steve leading the charge. Like Stockton, Nash would chisel our young guns into superstars with his ability to create for others. Not to mention that if we were to draft a promising guard, who better to be his leader and mentor?
Also, Nash’s loyalty has been mentioned. I think he’d retire with Utah if he came here. Could you imagine his jersey hanging in the rafters with John’s and Karl’s? What a thing to imagine.
Bring Nash in. Draft Marshall so the All-Star could help him grow in our system….and enough said
Just think happy thoughts
Corbin would have to change his offensive style of chuck it in to Jefferson if he got Nash. I think it would be brilliant to get him and get a young pg when we nab the GS pick. From what i read about Nash in Simmon’s BBOB, he completely changes a team on and off the floor. Happy thoughts David
Thanks again for the excellent comments, everyone! David Locke mentioned these posts in his tip-off today and says that the Jazz would have to alter their system a lot–make it more open flowing. In my opinion that means less “dump it inside and go from there offense.”
Yeah, David, I was just going to post something about Locke’s comments after listening to today’s Tip Off.
Locke thinks Nash would be a bad fat, and that he doesn’t fit our “system.”
It could be argued that at this point, post Jerry Sloan and Dwill, the Jazz don’t really have a system.
Locke says our system is a “low post iso” system.
If that’s the case, we simply need to have a new system. I’m not aware of any teams that have won championships or even succeeded that have had a low post iso system. Maybe the Magic with Dwight Howard? That’s about as close as I can think up. Anyone else know anything about that or any other teams that have used that system in the past?
As we all know, our system is essentially “pass the ball to Jefferson and hope he scores.” I’m sorry, but that is a garbage system. This summer is going to be so huge with training camp, summer league, and Favors and hayward playing with/against Team USA.
I don’t think the Jazz ever really developed a system this season. Coach Tom Desalki has said as much. He didn’t really see any sort of system this season, especially on the road. We just scrambled.
So, hopefully, we’ll see some actual offensive execution next season. If not, it’s time for a new coach. But I’m willing to give this roster and coach one full season with an actual training camp. They deserve that much.
bad *fit* not “fat”
GRR! I’m still trying to get used to this new keyboard. Of course, I’ve been trying for like 4 months….
Ya but no one fits the system we run besides Al.. Why are we catering to one person when we have a nucleus of talent that does not work that way?? It makes no sense to me. The reason it works for Dwight Howard and the Magic is because all they have is 3 point shooters besides Howard. Even their PF is a 3 point shooter and one of the best in the games.
So why can we not just get rid of the misfit and bring in a better player???
Loved parts one and two of your article, David, and I completely agree. It never hurts to dream, huh?
@Nick – Couldnt agree more. Nash is that good that we should fit around him and dump the hope Jefferson scores system.
@Dallan – other reason it works for the magic is that Howard can pass out of a double or triple team
hopefully we find some people to fill the gaps and an offense more diverse. Dwill would come before Nash and I dont think either of them are coming. But yes, strange things always happen. I gotta good feeling about that 30% chance on May 30
@Nick–I agree; Nash or no Nash, I want to see a lot less post iso play and more of a motion offense, especially with us taking advantage of early offensive opportunities. Nash would be a great reason to change it up so we can play to the other players’ strengths and abilities.
@Jazzed uponit I too have a good feeling about the Lottery!
Even with Dragic we need to change cause he is best at P&R so any of these good PG either Al is going to have to change or al is going to have to leave. I highly doubt he is going to change..
I’m predicting right now. You heard it here first:
D-Will leaves Nets to sign with Dallas. Steve Nash signs with the Brooklyn Nets. Nash gets Lopez and Humphries to run pick and roll, shooters on the perimeter and they contend for a playoff spot. Nash gets the big lights of Brooklyn, and Nets continue to try to pry Dwight away from Orlando with a Lopez and lots of first round picks offer.
Nash is just to old to move to a non contending team. If he moves its going to be a team that can get him a ring if not he might as we stay in az. Also the jazz dont want to pay as much as they would have to to bring him in. Might as well go for a barbosa or dragic they got to play with nash and have some things that rubbed off on them from nash.
Barbosa the SG??
Barbosa the guy who gets out and runs pushes the ball and has good passing skills for an sg. Harris is a mix guard to so whats the big deal getting anther guard that can play sg or pg