Mike Brown expecting great things from newly signed point guard Steve Nash – NBA Update
Los Angeles Lakers added Steve Nash to their ranks during the summer after agreeing to a sign and trade deal with the long time rivals Phoenix Sun. With the move, the Lakers are expected to climb up the rankings in the Western Conference and make a deeper playoffs run this season, that they had done in the last two post seasons – second round exits.
The move will not only bring a significant relief to the one-dimensioned Lakers offence but also put head coach Mike Brown at a particular ease.
Brown, who replaced the legendary Phil Jackson last season, had a difficult first season in charge and had to run all of his offense through Kobe Bryant.
The Black Mamba was not only the on court leader and the prime scoring option, but also had to make plays for his team-mates. That problem however will be solved with the arrival of Nash.
“One thing, he's a leader and he's a very intelligent leader, so he's going to help add to that," Brown said while talking to Hoopsworld.com. "We already have a lot of intelligent guys, and Kobe (Bryant)'s done a fantastic job in the leadership department, which will continue, so I think he'll fit in seamlessly in those areas. On top of that, you're talking about a guy that just goes out and understands the game, especially on the offensive end of the floor, very well.”
The game style with which Nash, an 8 time All-Star and a two times MVP, has graced the NBA for so many years cannot be described in mere words. Even though Nash is not known for playing much defence but he is expected to fit right with a team which has two of the most formidable big men in their cavalry – Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol.
The twin towers struggled to make an impact last season, but with the arrival of Nash, they are bound to find easy balls in the paint, and once that happens, the Lakers will become a juggernaut.
Brown knows that and is counting on Nash to make his Lakers a better team;
"He'll know where his help is built into or where his help is coming from and as long as he keeps funnelling the ball to his help and he works hard, which he'll do, he'll be fine.”
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