Steve Nash Is Destined to Win His First Championship with L.A. Lakers

Steve Nash will end his career in Los Angeles for the Lakers much in the same way John Elway ended his in Denver with the Broncos—with a long-desired championship. 

It's a stretch, but he could even match Elway and win two with Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol.

Nash has achieved just about every personal goal he could have imagined as an NBA player, but he's never reached the pinnacle of his sport. 

According to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports:

"

Nash gets 3-year guaranteed $27 million deal, his agent Bill Duffy tells Y! "He's ecstatic. He gets to be close to his children," Duffy said

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 5, 2012"

That's significantly less money than what the Toronto Raptors were offering Nash to finish out his career in Canada. According to CBSSports.com, they were prepared to give Nash a three-year deal worth $36 million.

What that tells me is something I already knew in my gut: Steve Nash cares about winning a championship more than landing a monster deal. He knows his best chance to do so is with Bryant and the Lakers, and the two of these legends will not let up until they've landed their prize.

Mitch Kupchek and the Lakers might not be done shopping for talent, either. 

According to the Los Angeles Times' Mike Bresnahan:

"

Lakers interested in Nick Young + Brandon Rush, The Times has learned. Young's too pricey for Lakers' $3 mill limit, but Rush = interesting.

— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) July 1, 2012"

Brandon Rush would be a dynamic player as a shooting guard/small forward off the bench for the Lakers. His athleticism and speed are just what the team needs, and if they manage to lure him over, they will be a seriously dangerous team on fast breaks—as if they weren't already.

Nash's ability to drive any offense is going to benefit Bryant. Too often in the past, we've seen Bryant lose faith in his teammates and go into "ball-hog mode." He won't have any issues with Nash handling the ball, and that will allow Bryant to become far more effective running on offense without the ball. 

The Lakers offense is going to look a whole lot different next season. Nash is going to be in full command from the get-go, and he's going to be the catalyst for what will be a dynamic, fully functioning, never-stagnant machine.

Nash brings stability and leadership to the Lakers at a position of great need, and he'll guide them to the promised land to win an NBA title at least once before he's done.

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