Nash Watch: L.A. bound (#1009)

[LeeZ]

"When the Raptors start ressembling a functional, winning team, free agents will have no hesitation signing here. "

But how can we assemble a winning team if the FAs don't go here in the first place?

Trades, draft and good coaching. Eminently doable. Not easy, but doable.

[LateBoomer]

As much as l want Nash to be a Raptor, l respect his decision to be part of a team that has a bigger chance of winning.

[LeeZ]

just stop...I stopped reading when you said playing for a ring

lol, you got me there. Alright, maybe not playing for a ring, but at least a realistic shot of getting past the first or perhaps even the second round.

[LateBoomer]

The only perception that counts is that of free agents. When the Raptors start ressembling a functional, winning team, free agents will have no hesitation signing here. Sure, Toronto will always be at a slight disadvantage for a variety of reasons (no ESPN, having to go through Customs, that sort of thing), but this won't be a major impediment once we start playing well. So, with all due respect, sir, I think your perception argument is flawed.

"When the Raptors start ressembling a functional, winning team, free agents will have no hesitation signing here. "

But how can we assemble a winning team if the FAs don't go here in the first place?
Nash could have been that one significant piece that would have enticed free agents to come over.

[mcHAPPY]

Thank you for being sane. Was beginning to think I was the only one after reading the comments in this thread.

Honestly shocked at how people are reacting to this. Especially the calls for Nash to resign from his role with basketball Canada, as if somehow playing for the raptors and the national and amateur programs are connected. To demand him to promote the game in Canada by signing with the team is nothing short of ludicrous. A serious infusion of reality is needed there.

The point of Basketball Canada is to promote the game within the country.

To the casual fan this spurning kills their interest and supports all other 'puck head' jabs.

To the NBA community it further validates the stigma of Canada.

To hardcore fans such as myself, it makes me wonder if the denial of the stigma I've had for years is b.s. on my part.


His spurning the Raptors in this manner - and using them as leverage to get a fair contract on the free agent market - does nothing to promote the game in Canada and, in my opinion, it only hurts the game in Canada at the professional level through which the most publicity for the sport in the country comes from to begin with.


Do I think he should renounce his citizenship? No.
Should he be insulted for making his choice? No.
Should his family concerns make me unsympathetic? No.
Should he be booed? No really - but I don't think the standing O is warranted anymore.


These are just my thoughts but his actions are harming the game in Canada. Luckily, there is a group of young players coming up that might not feel the same as their American counterparts given the rising talent in the country and the rising number of top young Canadians playing (and dominating!) in US high school ball.

[LeeZ]

It's not me or my ilk feeling that way, but rather what the perception of the Toronto Raptors franchise is, that will be severely diminished as a result of Nash walking away. If we're not a laughing stock, red-headed step child type franchise within NBA circles (ie: free agents, American fans, casual non-basketball Canadian fans) already, we certainly will be.

The only perception that counts is that of free agents. When the Raptors start ressembling a functional, winning team, free agents will have no hesitation signing here. Sure, Toronto will always be at a slight disadvantage for a variety of reasons (no ESPN, having to go through Customs, that sort of thing), but this won't be a major impediment once we start playing well. So, with all due respect, sir, I think your perception argument is flawed.

[LateBoomer]

'"He wants to go to New York," said a person who has been briefed on the strategy brewing in Nash's camp Wednesday. Another person familiar with Nash's strategy seconded that opinion.'

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/ke...et-to-new-york

[TheGloveinRapsUniform]

Thank you for being sane. Was beginning to think I was the only one after reading the comments in this thread.

Honestly shocked at how people are reacting to this. Especially the calls for Nash to resign from his role with basketball Canada, as if somehow playing for the raptors and the national and amateur programs are connected. To demand him to promote the game in Canada by signing with the team is nothing short of ludicrous. A serious infusion of reality is needed there.

Agree 100%. Its not like he said "I will play for Toronto" then went somewhere else. This franchise has not done anything for him, so why should he be forced to sign here? Like i said before, if he signs here, it's all about what Steve Nash can give to the Raptors and Toronto, $36mil would be nice, but if he can earn slightly less AND compete for something bigger, then why not???

He's wasnt even born here.

[Nilanka]

Might as well send a s&t offer from us. Calderon and JJ for Nash straight up.

Doesn't work that way. If Nash wants New York, it doesn't matter if we offer Phoenix a better package. Nash is the decision-maker (not the Suns).

[Blacklash2k4]

most NY fans are also irrational dolts

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ba...7514--nba.html

True. Very true!

[mcHAPPY]

just stop...I stopped reading when you said playing for a ring

Agreed.

If they get Nash and keep Lin, they are hard capped at $74M next season without even a starting 5, a payroll around $65M, and no other exceptions. Remaining 9 players need to be minimum contracts.

[sleepz]

Some sort of desperation trade involving Derozan? Bargnani ain't going anywhere. Neither is Valanciunas. Who else can he move for something meaningful? I have no doubt he'd love to make a big move but I don't see how unless he loses his mind and moves JV and/or the 2013 pick and I don't think he'd get the okay to do either.

No, I'm thinking big money for Lin or maybe Batum. DeRozan and Andrea's trade value is minimal imo so no names are coming back for either of those guys via trade, even if BC was willing.

I'm thinking he's going to try and spend some money. That Fields deal is also going to be a reminder of the failed Nash overtures.

[Lark Benson]

I would have loved to see Steve Nash as a Raptor, but no one forced the Raptors to go ball out for Steve Nash. He owes the Raptors nothing, and he owes Toronto no loyalty. If you choose to get upset with him you are discriminating against him because he is Canadian, with the rationale being we are Canada's team every American player in Europe should play in D-League in the U.S. First he is from Victoria, if this was the Vancouver Grizzlies we may have a leg to stand on with regards to being upset with him. Second, please provide me the quote in which Steve Nash said he wanted to play for the Raptors or he wanted them to pursue him. I do not recall seeing that. As for him quitting the National team, get your heads out of your asses. He has done more for Basketball in Canada than anyone has done before. Him choosing the Knicks has no effect on that. If there is collateral damage to Canadian Basketball the blame goes squarley on moronic Canadians, and Bryan Colangelo for mis reading the situation.

Thank you for being sane. Was beginning to think I was the only one after reading the comments in this thread.

Honestly shocked at how people are reacting to this. Especially the calls for Nash to resign from his role with basketball Canada, as if somehow playing for the raptors and the national and amateur programs are connected. To demand him to promote the game in Canada by signing with the team is nothing short of ludicrous. A serious infusion of reality is needed there.

[heinz57]

The weird thing about this whole situation is that most NY fans don't want Nash if that means parting ways with Shumpert. They much rather keep Shumpert and let Nash go to Toronto.

most NY fans are also irrational dolts

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ba...7514--nba.html

[themasao]

You know what this reminds me of: when BC completely misgauged the Bosh re-signing scenario, which resulted in us being left with nothing.

It's almost as if BC is naive. Nash's inaction over the last few days CLEARLY indicate he is not that interested in Toronto, or he would have already signed. It's just odd that BC was so far off in gauging Nash's inclinations.

This is gonna be a stretch, but: If you're Betty, you don't propose to Archie in public while he's still banging Veronica on the side -- that's how you end up being humiliated.