Steve Nash To Play For Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Or San Antonio Spurs In 2011?December 02 07 Professional sports are big business and smart athletes avoid burning bridges. Steve Nash understands this concept, but his recent comments about playing for the Dallas Mavericks once his contract expires with Phoenix is still surprising. "I’d have no problem going back and playing for a team in Texas, even the Mavericks! It’s not as though there was some irreconcilable divorce with Dallas, it was just best for me to move on at that time." (Times On-line, November 30, 2007)
Time must heal all wounds. After all, Nash and Mavericks’ owner Mark Cuban have been taking sly digs at each other through the media since parting ways in early July, 2004. During the 2006 NBA Finals, Cuban appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman. The renegade owner still hadn’t forgiven his former friend for leaving. "Steve is a great guy. And I love him to death. But why couldn’t he play like an MVP for us? All is well that ends well. We went out and got some great guys. Jason Terry took his place."
But Nash hasn’t taken the high road. Last July, three years after leaving Dallas, he told a Vancouver reporter that Cuban couldn’t "help himself" when dealing with media. So Nash putting a business spin on his departure from Dallas is odd. Still, we decided to analyze his chances of playing in Texas once his contract expires following the 2010-2011 season. Dallas Mavericks
- Why: Nash spent six productive seasons with the Mavericks. In Dallas, he became an All-Star and helped change the culture of the organization. The two-time MVP also considers Dirk Nowitzki his best friend.
- Why Not: Nash and Cuban still appear to have beef. Dallas is now a defensive squad and Nash thrives in a free-wheeling, up-tempo system.
Houston Rockets
- Why: They’ll have the cap space to ink Nash to a contract. The all-world table-setter is tight with Rockets’ center Yao Ming.
- Why Not: Houston will have room to sign Nash, but nobody else-other than rookie Aaron Brooks-is under contract. That’s the downside of Houston’s new money-ball system.
San Antonio Spurs
- Why: San Antonio is always in the hunt for an NBA Title. Tim Duncan is the only player under contract for the 2011-2012 season, so they’ll also have cap room to sign Nash.
- Why Not: In three years, the Spurs will likely be Tony Parker’s team. Could Nash and Mr. Eva Longario split minutes? The Frenchman didn’t appreciate Popovich trying to sign point guard Jason Kidd in 2003.
Bottom Line: One concern has to be Nash’s health. He’ll be 37 when his deal ends with the Suns ends, so health could be an issue. Also, will he take a reduced salary or still ask for top dollars? Nash probably stays in Phoenix. Robert Sarver, the Suns’ eccentric owner, loves him. And Nash’s comments were simply an attempt to ensure a market exists when his current contract expires. Still, it’s fun to speculate. Where will Nash play in 2011: Dallas, Houston, San Antonio or Phoenix? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts.
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Posted by
on 12.15.2007 | Nash in the spurs would just be plain awsome! . | Posted by
Oly the author
on 12.4.2007 | Fair enough. You guys are both entitled to your opinion about my work. I stand behind my earlier comments. I wrote about the Raptors on-court play because they were on TV. Nothing more. And Toronto and Vancouver may be in the same country, but are thousands of miles apart and are very different places, with different styles of living. Seattle, Oakland, and Portland are much closer in attitude to Vancouver. And frankly, the Sonics were my team growing up due to proximity. As for full-time gig, I was referring to my other job, whic is a sixty hour a week gig! Anyway, you are entitled to your opinion, thanks for checking out my work ... I always appreciate that whether you agree or disagree . | Posted by
Z.I.P.
on 12.4.2007 | Don’t pay attention to B-1 and B-2, a.k.a. bit*h-1 and bit*h-2. Oly you are da man, they just wish they were you, that;s all. Hate comes from being jealous. You have the upper hand buddy. You don’t have to explain yourself to people like that. Much love and respect . | Posted by
Yeah I Said It
on 12.4.2007 | Hmm, ok so you say you don’t have time to hype yourself up, and you do this full time, Well guess what dude, it only takes less than a minute to write a comment, and it’s even quicker when you don’t put you’re name. I see you had time to respond to my comment. I detect there was some truth to my statement. I like reading your work, I just think U R A LAME DUDE. . | Posted by
Hammer Head Johnson
on 12.4.2007 | Fair enough Oly Sandy. If you say you’re not a homer for your country. But your work says differently. Just check out today’s article, you wrote about the Raptors. Again I say you and jason kelly are homers, that are in denial, and that’s final . | Posted by
Oly the author
on 12.3.2007 | To Yeah I said it and hammerhead Johnson:You guys are totally entitled to your opinion. Thanks for reading and checking out my work, whether you agree or disagree.But I have no problem leaving my name and frankly I work a full-time job and do not have time to "hype myself." As for favoring Nash because he’s Canadian. I respect his off-court endeavors, however, I take being impartial very seriously. I have never supported him as MVP because i believe in two-way players and actually received flack at his Charity game for asking a basketball related question.That said, you are entitled to your opinion and I respect you for it! But I have no problem saying what is up and leaving my name and info ,etc. I put my thoughts out here everyday and I have no issue standing behind my comments.Thanks again for reading! . | Posted by
Yeah I Said It!
on 12.3.2007 | I figured out, most of the time when a person doesn’t leave a name in the posted by spot, and it gives Oly great views, it’s really him, hyping himself up. What a LAME DUDE U R OLY SANDWISH . | Posted by
Common Sense 2003
on 12.3.2007 | Well in all fairness to Hammer Head: The unknown cat, called him out saying he probably lives in his moms basement. And all Hammer head did was correct him, he wasn’t diliberately saying hey I got this, and I got that . | Posted by
on 12.3.2007 | SAndor is very decent ... I love guys who quote how much they own in message board forums ... that means nothing with regards to b-ball knowledge ... It shows insecurity . | Posted by
Young Rome Is Burning
on 12.3.2007 | I was more referring to the jason kelly shot, than Oly Sandor. I don’t feel as strongly as Hammer Head Johnson. I like HoopsVibe, obiviously I wouldn’t be on hear if I didn’t . | Posted by
Hammer Head Johnson
on 12.3.2007 | I stand by what I said. And iI own my own beautiful $500,000 home, thank you very much. Oly Sandor a basketball analyst LOL! What a joke that is . | Posted by
on 12.3.2007 | What a surprise HoopsVibe haters out in full force! Is the basement of your mom’s house dark where you make your stupid comments. How about you read Catcher In the Rye again! . | Posted by
Young Rome Is Burning
on 12.3.2007 | LOL! Hammer Head Johnson; Great take I love it. . | Posted by
Hammer Head Johnson
on 12.3.2007 | He’s Canadian of course he had to find a way to talk about his fellow countrymen. Between the Canadian Wanksta Oly Sandor, and Jason " I love Phoenix" Kelly, The suns or steve nash will always be talked about on this site . | Posted by
on 12.3.2007 | What was the point of this article? Nash will be 37 at the start of the 2011/12 season (the first season in this supposed contract) and he already has a bad back. It is highly unlikely Nash will play anywhere when his current contract is up. And even on the off chance that he finds a way to play with this spine frozen up, he won’t exactly be commanding max contract dollars at that age, so all this salary cap talk is pointless anyhow. Way to bring that "unique brand of NBA analysis" to the table there. . | Posted by
actions speak louder than words
on 12.2.2007 | Nobody on the the Sperms has Charisma. The whole teams character is dry as crackers. Everyone just plays hard by example, the passion is what speaks for them. Anyway I think the most likely scenario would be Steve going back to Dallas, only because his best friend Dirk will be there . | Posted by
on 12.2.2007 | Nash in San ANtonio would be just awesome, awesome indeed . Not sure if it would happen .... . | Posted by
energy971
on 12.2.2007 | I guess your article is right even though that would be great to see him back in Dallas!!! I agree with what you wrote, except the fact that the spurs will be parker’s team , I do not see him as a leader as he has no charisma . |
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Oly Sandor | Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More |
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