NBA Rumors: Knicks Should Sign Steve Nash No Matter What Happens with Jeremy Lin
Jeremy Lin isn’t the answer.
Lin and Steve Nash, though, would take the New York Knicks to another level.
Alan Hahn of MSG Network reported that lightning would strike Isiah Thomas, Stephon Marbury and Eddy Curry at the exact same time before the Knicks allow Lin to leave in free agency. They’ll match any offer thrown at Lin (a rival may want to test that theory to drive up the price). Despite that fact, New York will still pursue a veteran point guard and that vet should be none other than Nash.
Every basketball fan’s favorite Canadian is finally free to sign wherever his heart desires after being trapped on a mediocre Phoenix Suns squad the past two seasons.
While he’s 38-years-old, Nash still produced phenomenal numbers in 2012 averaging 12.5 points and 10.7 assists per game. Throw in the fact that he was surrounded by second-rate talents like Shannon Brown and Channing Frye and Nash’s double-digit assist totals look even more impressive.
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reported that Nash could also land in the Big Apple via sign-and-trade.
"Phoenix has expressed interest with Landry Fields as part of possible sign-and-trade package with New York for Steve Nash, sources tell Y!
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 1, 2012"
Now, when I say Nash is literally the perfect complement to Lin, I mean like Michael Jordan in the NBA Finals perfect. Each is a pick-and-roll phenom, but while Nash looks to get his teammates involved, Lin would rather finish at the rim. But Nash and Lin’s flawlessness as a combo is amplified by the Knicks’ rotation.
Lin doesn’t fit well alongside Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudamire because all three players have a shoot-first mentality. With Nash running point, he’d be able to feed Melo and Amar’e to their heart’s content.
On the second-unit, Linsanity would return and be more dominant than ever. Lin fits better on a unit featuring spot-up shooters. Instead of having to worry about giving Anthony and Stoudamire their touches, he’d be free to attack the rim and kick the ball out to a wide-open teammate if the defense collapses on him.
Right now, New York isn’t on the Miami Heat’s level and that was never clearer following their first-round beat down. Nash is still talented enough, though, to single-handedly turn the Knicks into a different ballclub. They must not only re-sign Lin, but they must bring in Nash as well.
David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.
