It's Always Sunny in Los Angeles

Steve Nash To LA

What bringing Steve Nash to the City of Angels means for the Lakers title hopes, the Steve Nash Era in Phoenix and the legacy of Kobe Bryant if another ring comes his way.

In what will probably end up being the biggest curveball of the NBA offseason, Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash has become the centerpiece of a sign and trade deal to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Suns agreed to sign a three year contract worth 27 million dollars for Nash, who was then sent to the Lakers in a deal that allows them to absorb the point guard through a confusing trade exception created by the Lamar Odom deal. What is not confusing is how quickly this makes the Lakers favorites to win the championship next season.



Nash joins a core of future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. This is an instant upgrade from the cast Nash played with in last season in Phoenix, which was probably headlined by small forward Jared Dudley. Nash's supporting casts have continually dissapointed the past few seasons, and it was absolutely time for Nash to leave Phoenix. The good thing about being so close to the city still is that he does have three children that live there. However, Nash had to leave. The Suns organization has made little effort at winning basketball games during his entire tenure with the team, and they looked more interested in the bottom line not being red.

Nash told ESPN.com, "After talking with (owner) Robert (Sarver) and (president of basketball operations) Lon (Babby) we've agreed that it's time for both of us to move in new directions," making it clear that he wanted out. The closest Nash got to even playing in an NBA Finals was in 2007 when his squad lost to the San Antonio Spurs in an exciting Western Conference Finals match with Tim Duncan. Nash carried teams with poor talent to the playoffs a few teams during his stay with Phoenix, and won two MVP trophies. His success will likely be criticized by that big, missing ring.

However, that all could change this season as he joins a team already loaded with potential and Kobe Bryant. The thought of Bryant and Nash together alone is scary, but supported by Bynum and Gasol, the Lakers might very well be the best team in the league. Nash has always been a fantastic point guard with his extreme knowledge of the game and unselfish play. Bryant has always been fantastic with his raw talent and selfish play. The two could mesh so well together that we could see another Lakers three-peat, or, the two could clash and we witness one of the game's classiest, most talented and well-respected players ever retire ringless. That is Nash of course.

Bryant needs one more ring to tie the greatest player of all time, Michael Jordan. If that happens, can MJ really still be declared the greatest of all time? Especially if Bryant breaks the all time scoring record, which might be higher up on Kobe's list than that elusive sixth ring. And even if doesn't break that record, but he wins a seventh ring, would it even be a contest? Only time will tell, but as Nash and Bryant are both out of the primes of their careers, time is running out.