NBA Free Agency 2012: Why Steve Nash Must Resist Signing with Toronto Raptors
Blind loyalty is dangerous.
Steve Nash stuck with the Phoenix Suns through thick and thin for the last eight years. His loyalty toward the franchise was admirable, but as a ringless 38 year old, one would have to wonder if he gave the Suns one too many chances to build a contender around him. With Father Time on his doorstep, Nash can’t make the same mistake and simply sign with the Toronto Raptors because of his Canadian connection.
And that’s the only logical reason why he’d sign there.
Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld reported that the Raptors will heavily pursue Nash this summer as he tweeted.
"The Toronto Raptors will make a hard push to sign Steve Nash, according to sources. That's one reason Toronto didn't deal #8 for Kyle Lowry.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 29, 2012"
Now, Mike Mazzeo of ESPN reported that when Nash was asked if he’d consider hopping on a contender, he responded:
"The truth is I'm a bit old school. For me, it would be hard to put on a Lakers jersey. That's just the way it is. You play against them so many times in the playoffs, and I just use them as an example, and I have the utmost respect for them and their organization. I kind of have that tendency (to try to beat the best teams).
"
While it’s refreshing to see the floor general’s competitive nature come out, Nash can’t be so picky that he signs on with a team that’s unable to contend…like the Raptors. Toronto has pieces to be able to make the playoffs in the future, but by no means are they in win-now mode—not even close.
DeMar Derozan has shown flashes of brilliance, but at this point in his career, he’s proven nothing more than that he’s a one-dimensional ball hog. Andrea Bargnani is a scoring machine, but he’s one of, if not the worst defenders in the entire NBA and he’s softer than a Tempur-Pedic pillow. Jonas Valanciunas is an extremely promising prospect, but he has yet to play a second in the league.
Nash must join a contender—the New York Knicks, Miami Heat or even the Los Angeles Lakers—because if he signs with the lowly Raptors, he’ll retire ringless.
David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.
