Lin-sult? Stoudemire wants Nash at point guard for Knicks
Jeremy Lin could have serious competition for starting New York Knicks point guard if Amar'e Stoudemire has his way.
Stoudemire is publicly campaigning for his former Phoenix Suns running mate to join the Knicks once Nash becomes a free agent in July.
"Everyone knows that Steve loves New York and that New York loves Steve," Stoudemire told the New York Daily News. "I love Steve. It would be great to have him here next year."
Nash, a two-time NBA MVP, spends part of his off-seasons in Manhattan. A Knicks squad with Nash running the offense -- and Lin as his back-up -- could help make Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony finally mesh. But there's also rumors Nash wants to join LeBron James and Dwyane Wade on the Miami Heat next season.
After a longer-than-expected recovery from a knee injury, Lin sat out the Knicks' opening round NBA Playoff loss to James and the Heat. He's also a free agent. But the Knicks are still expected to use their mid-level exception to keep Lin on the team.
Bill Daughtry in the post game show was saying how the knicks should go for Nash at the expense of Lin. A 39 yr old PG whose probably only going to give you a few more yrs compared to a 24 yr old with A LOT of upside. Man what does this kid have to do to prove himself.
STAT needs to think before he speaks and stop with the false bravado, stop punching fire extinguishers and play defense and rebound
Like I'm going to give a shyte what Stat wants for the team. It's like he's saying "Help me! I suck unless Steve Nash is getting me the rock"...
I am disgusted with Amare's lack of hustle. I hate the way he seems unconcerned on defense, like Tyson will just get the job done. I can't stand how little effort he puts into rebounding. And his midrange shot has not proven effective this season. He really should STFU or GTFO.
Lin, at 24, is a MUCH better use of our MLE than Nash at about 40. Yes, it would be great to snag Nash for a minimum deal AND keep Lin. He would be the perfect mentor. But it would be the ultimate starphuck stupid move to sign Nash INSTEAD of Lin. That would push my hoops interest right across the Brooklyn bridge.
I don't think the Heat "need" Nash. LeBron basically plays all positions, including point guard more than effectively.
It seems everyone wants Nash to NY except Nash.
If I were Stat, after that fire extinguisher incident, I would go hide under a rock, especially now that their season is over.
As for Lin proving himself, he doesn't have anything to prove anymore. He's been doing it all his life. Imagine if you were this kid, doing all you can, trying to prove yourself over and over. Imagine if Lin is your kid. That would hurt, doesn't it? People have their minds set already.
wouldn't that be something? nash comes here after d'antoni is forced out?
No chance on Nash or anyone worth a damn because the mid level is going to Lin.
If I had to choose Nash or Lin I would go for Lin based on age and potential...
but it would be great for Lin to have Nash as a backup, and mentor (if Nash would even consider coming to a team knowing he would only get 20MPG.).
The real question/issue is whether Anthony would want a PG like Nash directing things. Isn't that the philosophical conflict that led to MDA's departure?
Stat should go to PHX - that is more likely
If Stat and Melo are here for the duration then the Knicks will need Nash. Lin could be our PG of the future, but right now we need someone who can keep both Melo and Stat happy while keeping the rest of the squad involved. Chandler admitted to being a liablility on offense. Nash will get Tyson the ball where he is comfortable.
I doubt that any other PG in the league would be better able to strike the right balance when it came to distributing the ball to Stat and Melo. Stat isn't getting any younger and is breaking down regularly. If Stat can't be traded, you have to get the most you can out of him, while you can, and Nash will bring out what offense Amar'e has left. If Novak is still here I doubt that any PG would be able to find him in the corner like Nash.
Nash averaged a double double in 31 minutes this season with almost 11 assists. He is still one of the best PGs in the league. I don't believe that the Knicks have the luxury of time when it comes to the Stat/Melo tandem.
After Linsanity, Lin settled into a good PG but a championship level PG? Not for a few years, if ever. Nash is a first ballot HOFer who is still putting up great numbers. He keeps himself in great shape and still has a few good years left in him IMO.
If its between one of the greatest PGs ever to play the game (who can still play) and a PG who had an amazing but brief run before coming down to earth, I'll take Nash. No one will make better use of the talent on this squad.
Paladin55 wrote:If I had to choose Nash or Lin I would go for Lin based on age and potential...but it would be great for Lin to have Nash as a backup, and mentor (if Nash would even consider coming to a team knowing he would only get 20MPG.).
The real question/issue is whether Anthony would want a PG like Nash directing things. Isn't that the philosophical conflict that led to MDA's departure?
You have a point there. What's the point of getting Nash if it is not going to work with Melo? Plus, would Nash be willing to go to a team that has a lot of drama going on? If he is near the end of his career, he would not want to be involved in some rift/scandal or whatever Knicks has going on. His reputation and legacy would be at stake.
Wow. Amar'e I actually like you in this very moment. He is absolutely right about Nash. We need to go after him. I think Nash has at least 2-3 year of play in his prime before the downward spiral....yes even at 40 years old. The guys is a HOFer AND was an All-star THIS YEAR.....At his age.
Lin is not leading us to a championship. Ridiculous. The kid hasn't even been to the playoffs. Lin is good. But I thought this team was trying to win a championship?
Nash got as far as anyone could have dreamed and over achieved more than anyone I've seen and never won (competition and other teams coach were better) but his days are pretty over. He can help a team a lot but the guy is 39!
Gotta bring back Lin
I could be wrong but I don't believe Nash has won a championship. This is why he wants to go to a team that has the biggest potential to have a ring. He wants at least one before he retires. Between Heat and Knicks, he would go Heat. I think I even saw where he said, 'yea Miami would be nice.'
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ycn-11175090
Steve Nash isn't very happy with the way things have gone with the Phoenix Suns in the past couple of seasons. And he doesn't plan to renew his contract with the Suns during the offseason. At 38 years old, Nash only has a few NBA seasons left in him, and he plans to spend his remaining years competing for a championship.
Nash plans to explore his options during the offseason, and he's even open to playing for the Heat.
"I would listen," Nash told Dan Patrick about the possibility of joining up with LeBron James and the Miami Heat. "He's [LeBron] phenomenal. I love what they're doing there. A lot of people don't like them because they put all that talent there. But they're professional, they play hard, they play together. Their coaching staff has done a great job, so I have a tremendous amount of respect for them. I would definitely listen."
The Heat already have two solid point guards in Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole, but they can certainly use the expertise of a crafty veteran like Nash. The two-time MVP is the textbook definition of a point guard, with a career average of 8.9 assists per game. Cole in particular has already showed some serious potential, and he can learn a lot from a seasoned NBA floor general like Nash.
Given Miami's salary cap situation, they won't be able to offer Nash anything more than the mid-level exception without shaking up their roster. However, it isn't out of the norm for an aging NBA superstar to give up significant amounts of money, simply to compete for an NBA title.
The Heat made a lot of smart changes during the previous offseason, and their chances of winning an NBA title this year are pretty good. An NBA title significantly increases their chances of signing one of the best point guards in modern league history, and I wouldn't be surprised to find Nash on their roster next season.
All I can say is if Nash isn't very happy with Suns right now, there's no way he will be happy with the Knicks, The Kardashians of NBA.
I guess you are all referring to my "championship level" comment. Allow me to rephrase that remark. I should have said "elite level" as in what Nash is and Lin isn't. I like Lin but the kid isn't ready to lead this team to a title, not even close.
All the heat I got for suggesting during Linsanity that it would end. Same people who think Lin is still that guy. He's a good PG who might turn into something more some day. To make this dysfunctional squad work we need a great PG. Either that or break up the team.
