Friday, January 12, 2007

Just How Good Is Steve Nash?

I watched the Cleveland-Phoenix game Thursday night with great interest. As some of you might know, I have found it odd that the NBA has named Steve Nash its MVP not just one year, but the last two seasons. I understand he is an excellent player. That goes without saying. But the best in the league? I have not been buying it. I am starting to change my tune on Nash, however. He was utterly brilliant Thursday. He was clearly the best player on the floor - even better than LeBron James. His vision of the court is extraordinary. His court-vision reminds me a lot of Magic Johnson. Out of the blue, he will find an open man. He can also shoot exceptionally well and has excellent quickness. He is short, and defensively the Suns kind of hide him. Last season, one on one with Chauncey Billups, he just could not handle a point guard with that kind of size and strength when isolated. Yet, he does so many things well - that just might be splitting hairs. Still, if I were choosing sides for a pick up game, I would take LeBron, Kobe, Billups and Dirk ahead of Nash.

Random Thoughts

- The Giants are crazy for giving Barry Bonds a $17 million contract. The guy cannot play any more, he is a distraction beyond any other and people are not excited about him breaking the all-time home run record of Henry Aaron.

- It does not seem right that Tajuan Porter and Malik Hairston are having so much success so far away from Detroit in Oregon. Can you imagine how much better Michigan and Michigan State would be if they had one or the other - or both. And Joe Crawford.

- I still can believe Brady Quinn will be the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. He just seems so overrated.

12 Comments:

Blogger maddog52 said...

All the rumors I am hearing. Webber is pretty much coming to Detroit. The one that intrigues me the most and I think would really make Joe DUmars the man is if he landed Mo. Pete.. I think that would make for a great move. He is already use to coming off the bench for 1. Most importantly. HE can score. If bringing Webber and Peterson meant giving up a first round pick and gys like Davis, Nazr, Delfino or Murray and or a couple of those guys. I'd do it in a heart beat. Its about winning now not worrying about later. If you have the opportunity to win the championship now you have to do it. We don't utilize are first round picks anyways. I really hope the Pistons aren't teasing us. Becasuae they need to make moves. If Flip can't control this team now. He won't ever be able to. LIke I said though that is if they bring in Webber and Peterson. Peterson being the key.

I think Steve Nash is the MVP of the league. I got to watch him in person here in Detroit when the suns came to town. HE was absolutely great. He hits the shot when he needs to. He flows so does the team. He has made so many guys around him better. Take him away from the suns. Yeah I think they could still be good, but not near as great. I'd take Nash on our team over any of the guys we had. That is just me.

As far as Quinn. I hear you. I wish to god he is the number 1 pick so the lions don't have that temptation of drafting him, because he will suck as a pro. Personally I thought he wasn't good in college. Look what he did against the semi good teams he played. Nothing... You can judge his talent against our service teams. I'd love to see the lions possibly hold that number 2 pick for someone. Maybe drop down to like number 5 or 6 and maybe pick up and extra 2nd round pick. Lions need football players. I think Ernie Sims was a step in that direction. they need guys that just love to play footballo Is that Joe Thomas, Is that Alan Branch? I'd say you draft Thomas put him on the left, shift Bacus to the right side. I'd like to see them give that Frank Davis another shot at guard. Sign a good solid free agent guard or center. Take tiny archibaul (Raiola) make him a backup. They are right build the trenches. I'd sya the worse rumor I heard on the lions is bringing in Marshall Faulk. God that would just absolutely make me sick to my stomach.

This is getting fun early on this year. Lots of great things to talk about.

My predictions:

I think the Bears are most vulnerable this playoff. I just don't think Seattle has enough. I think Garcia being a former lion is enough right there. Though the saints got healthy after that buy week with some of there weapons.

So I like the Bears vs Saints in the NFC.

AFC -

I think the colts will surprise us. I think they pulled a pistons and dragged out the doubters to inspire them. I think this will be a tight game either way. I think Rivers gets the jitters. Tom Brady will stand tall. Leaving for a show down once again of the Manning vs Brady.

So I like the COlts vs Patriot in the AFC

9:19 AM 
Blogger Pat Caputo said...

Maddog52,
With all due respect to LT - and he deserves it - the New England-San Diego matchup has to go to the Patriots because of the QB and coaches situation. The Pistons situation will bear watching. If Flip loses control of the team, how long will they stick with him.
Caputo

4:00 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Quit picking on Kampe, and support some positive momentum in Detroit sports; You are truly the grim reaper....
Want a good story; pick on Toyota and there 3 mil car recall; and kept it a secret...

4:05 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I like the idea of Webber coming to the D. No, he's not the player he once was, but he's still a presence, and more skilled than Mohammed no matter how you slice it.

He's long, can run the floor (although not as much as he used to), and is an exceptional passer.

Chris Webber could be the 2006 version of when the Pistons brought in Sheed.

I can understand the thought process on Steve Nash. When I think of the best players in the NBA, he doesn't really come to mind.

However, the MVP, in its truest form is the guy who makes his teammates better with him in the lineup more than any other player. Steve Nash is that without a doubt.

If you're playing a game of one on one, you could probably name 5-10 guys you'd rather have.

The Giants crack me up. Seriously. Just like major league baseball, the Giants for years turned their heads at the Barry Bonds situation.

Why? B/C they have sold over 3 million seats with Bonds on the team. Controversy or not, he's making them money.

Now they want to squash his entourage after turning a blind eye, and giving this guy carte blanche for years. Its well documented how he had 3 lockers, a recliner, and his own big screen that noone else was supposed to watch.

First Barry took steroids, but claimed he didn't know. That it was flaxseed oil. Now the report comes out about him blaming Mark Sweeney. I know he's since recanted the story, but he never takes responsibility for all the things he's done. Everyone is out to get him.

I just wish Barry would go away once and for all.

7:16 PM 
Blogger Pat Caputo said...

Sportznut,
I admit it. I want Bonds to go away, too. I have no interest in watching him play anymore, am tired of ESPN's constant coverage of him (and Pedro Gomez is a good friend of mine) and I certainly don't think he is as worthy as Henry Aaron to be the all-time home run champion.
Caputo

9:41 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Pat, Henry Aaron played the game the way it was supposed to be. He was pure class. Barry on the other hand is 3 of the 5 letters in class. I'll let you pick which ones.

Its a travesty that this guy will forever be linked to the HR title.

Well, at least until someone like ARod, Pujols, or Howard manages to trump him.

12:40 AM 
Blogger maddog52 said...

I agree about the Patriots.

Personally I think we have to give Flip after the moves are made to see what he does. However, I do think he lost the team already.

ONe thing I don't like about flip. I notice that most coaches when a team looks to start getting hot or their team is getting sloppy. The real good coaches call a time out and try to stop it immediately. FLip seems to let them bleed a bit. Rips has been shooting lights out. But there has been to much 1 on 1 as to ball movement. Pistons are on there best when the move the ball.

10:02 AM 
Blogger Pat Caputo said...

Anonymous,
I am not picking on Kampe. I went to a game, watched his team blow a 17-point lead in the second half because it couldn't handle a press against a 5-14 team and wrote about it. I praise, when in my opinion it is deserved, and criticize when I feel it is warranted. That is, to a large degress, what columnists do.
Caputo

4:14 PM 
Blogger Pat Caputo said...

Sportznut,
I do feel the all-time home run record is made to be broken. That is not one that figures to last decades like the last couple times it was broken.
Caputo

4:15 PM 
Blogger Pat Caputo said...

Maddog52,
I think you have to wait until Billups is back more than anything else. The Pistons are still pretty good when Billups is in the lineup. He is proving his value right now.
Caputo

4:17 PM 
Blogger Pat Caputo said...

Glenn,
You make great points. I do think Webber would help them, but Mo Pete would help them more. He does have "Pistons DNA."
Caputo

11:28 AM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great work.

3:08 PM 

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