Steve Nash and the 5 Most Overrated Offseason Moves

The offseason is usually the time of the year when fans are overtaken with a feeling of hope and joy. Whether their team makes a small trade or a big trade, each move is analyzed and digested by fans eager for the regular season to start.

Most times however, fans tend to overreact to a recent trade or signing, and they immediately believe their team is now a championship or playoff contender.

So far this offseason we have seen several blockbuster trades, cuts and signings all geared to make one or both teams better.

Fans of these teams will assume the best and will hope that the trade or signing pans out. Unfortunately some of these recent moves will not work. Here are some of the most overrated moves of the offseason.

5. Lamar Odom

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While this move didn't quite generate as much excitement as some of the other moves on this list, the fact that it was a front-page headline on several sports sites and triggered articles such as this, suggests Clipper fans were excited about the acquisition of Odom. 

Let me spoil the fun by saying Lamar Odom will not have a single meaningful basketball contribution this season. That may seem harsh but most Dallas fans would agree with me when I say what Odom did last year was nothing short of disgraceful. The fact that Mark Cuban and the Mavericks had to pay him was almost unconstitutional.

Considering that he averaged 6.6 points per game while shooting a career low 35.2 percent, Odom should be out of the league and not being talked about as a key piece for a championship contender. 

While he can make up any excuse he wants about "missing Los Angeles," Odom is no longer an NBA player but a reality TV star.

4. Ryan Anderson

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Last year's Most Improved Player, Ryan Anderson, turned a career year into a four year, $34 million deal with the New Orleans Hornets. 

Together with No. 1 overall pick Anthony Davis, Austin Rivers and Eric Gordon, the Hornets may indeed have a competitive team next season. Unfortunately, I don't see Ryan Anderson playing a big part in the Hornet's resurgence as he is terribly overrated.

While he is a great three-point shooter and an above-average offensive rebounder, Anderson provides absolutely nothing else. 

For a 6'10'' power forward he is a terrible defensive rebounder and an even worse defender. While his incompetence on defense was masked by Dwight Howard throughout his time in Orlando, he will not have that same luxury in New Orleans despite the presence of Anthony Davis.

Furthermore, Anderson will be playing the same position as Davis, as Davis is too weak to play center and Anderson too slow to play small forward. Having Anderson stunt Davis' growth is not a good move for the Hornets, which will most likely require Anderson to come of the bench.

Shelling out $34 million for a player who is a career 43 percent shooter, can't defend and plays the same position as your franchise player is not a good recipe for a team. Anderson was in his perfect situation in Orlando, and his deficiencies as a player will stand out in New Orleans.

3. Rashard Lewis

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The Rashard Lewis signing didn't generate the noise that Ray Allen's signing did, but it definitely sparked a lot of conversation around the league.

Lewis, who was a max-contract player over the past several seasons, joins the Heat as a three-point specialist and part of what people are calling "the positionless lineup."

This positionless lineup may happen, but it won't feature Rashard Lewis. In fact I don't foresee Lewis playing much of a part in Miami's championship defense.

Firstly, let's not forget that the Heat are a defense-first team, and playing a turnstile like Rashard Lewis does not conform with the Heat's principles. Add in the fact that both LeBron James and Shane Battier play in the same position as Lewis, as that 3-4 hybrid forward, and Lewis may ride the pine a lot more than he thought he would.

And finally, the fact that Rashard Lewis was one of the highest-paid players last year has somehow masked the fact that he has been an average player for several years. In fact, ever since he tested positive for a banned substance during the 2009 playoffs he hasn't been the same player.

Throw in a run of injuries and career-worst shooting displays and Rashard Lewis just isn't the player he was half a decade ago.

2. Jason Terry

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The big signing of last year's Eastern Conference runners-up, the Boston Celtics, generated strong approval from Celtics fans, including Bill Simmons. 

The Celtics and Simmons assumed they were getting Jason Terry, the sixth man of the year in 2009 and an integral member of the Dallas Mavericks championship-winning side from two years ago. Unfortunately for them they are getting a shadow of that player, as age has taken it's toll on Jason Terry.

While his numbers remained steady for the most part, Terry did not take over games like he used to and he seemed to work a lot harder to get those points.

With his worst shooting season in seven years, Terry developed into more of a volume scorer last season, with Dallas struggling to find scoring options outside of Dirk Nowitzki. Looking back, Terry was a perfect fit for that Dallas team as they had a suspect backcourt and limited scoring options.

Boston, however, doesn't have those problems. With Rajon Rondo and Avery Bradley both expected to play heavy minutes in the backcourt and Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett expected to carry the scoring, there doesn't seem to be a place for Jason Terry in the Celtics lineup.

Terry will most likely have a similar role to Ray Allen, who was benched in favor of Avery Bradley. For a volume scorer who needs the ball in his hands, this role will not suit Terry at all and he could find himself in no man's land in the Celtics rotation very quickly. 

1. Steve Nash

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Perhaps the biggest move of the offseason so far has been the Lakers' acquisition of two-time MVP Steve Nash.

This trade immediately made the Lakers the prohibitive favorites in the West in the eyes of some analysts and fans. 

With Nash running point, both Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum should have great years as Nash is a master at getting his bigs the ball in great areas. Nash's history with Amar'e Stoudemire, Shaquille O'Neal and even Marcin Gortat illustrates his ability to get the most out of his big men. However the problem with Nash running point will be, how does Kobe Bryant react to having someone else dominate the ball?

For those who have watched Team USA play in the Olympics, it has become abundantly clear that Kobe doesn't know how to play without dominating the ball. The best example came in the third quarter against Argentina, when LeBron James and Kevin Durant were scoring often and easily through the flow of the offense. Kobe, on the other hand, continued to go to his isolation game, which resulted in several missed shots and turnovers, not to mention destroying the offensive rhythm Team USA had developed. 

The other reason why I don't see the Lakers improving greatly is the addition of Nash making them even weaker defensively. While Kobe and Metta World Peace were once great defenders, age has sapped away much of their agility and quickness. Adding a 38-year-old Steve Nash to the mix certainly doesn't help. This lack of speed will certainly be exploited by Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder should the two teams face off in the playoffs.