NBA Trade Rumors: Why Steve Nash Wouldn't Help the Miami Heat
Steve Nash is not the answer for the Miami Heat this season, even if South Beach is the premier free agent destination for veteran ballers like the Miami Herald claims.
The two-time MVP is quickly approaching 38 years old, and although he doesn't break the bank like some other NBA superstars, he certainly demands a bit of pay.
As a longtime Nash fan and Phoenix Suns supporter, let me say that in no way is the Canadian sensation's game declining, not by a long stretch. Nash averaged 14.7 points and 11.4 assists per game last year despite playing without Amar'e Stoudemire or any other bona fide superstar for the entire season.
It would be a great story, sure. Believe me, no one out there wants to see Nash win a title before his inevitable retirement more than myself. But where does Nash fit on a team with two guys who are already battling for ball time?
The answer is nowhere.
LeBron James took nearly 19 shots per game last regular season. Dwyane Wade jacked up a little more than 18 on average, and Chris Bosh took a little less than 14 per game. James took nearly two less shots per game last season with Miami than he had his entire career (20.6). Wade's and Bosh's shot attempts were also slightly down.
No surprise here: James is a point guard at heart, and Wade is best when he's attacking the rim by himself or taking a defender off the dribble.
Nash would dominate the ball in a South Beach back court, and that would effectively negate what the Big Three can do.
If you thought that Miami struggled in the 2011 NBA Finals, just picture them with Nash at the helm.
There is such a thing as too much star power, and adding another one isn't the answer for Miami—right now at least.
James and Wade are just average basketball players when they are set up in the corners and on the wings just waiting for a dime to catch and shoot. Sure, he would be a magician in the open court and on the break, but the Heat already have a younger and more versatile magician for that situation in James, who is a gifted passer and freight train going to the tin.
Steve Nash is not the answer in Miami, no matter how badly we want him to be.
