With the additions of Steve Nash, Antawn Jamison, Jodie Meeks and Dwight Howard, Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak has been able to improve the roster across the board and turn the Lakers back into a NBA title contender once again.
As arguably the biggest move of the summer in the NBA, the Lakers were able to end the “Dwightmare” by bringing in the league’s best center to Los Angeles in exchange for Andrew Bynum. Even though the move to acquire Howard was huge for the storied NBA franchise, Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade was more surprised by the acquisition of Nash according to Chris Perkins of SheridanHoops.com:
“They’re making a play for a championship,” Wade told SheridanHoops.com Saturday on his nationwide book-signing tour.
“It’s not a surprising move that Dwight Howard went over there. I was kinda surprised to see Steve Nash. That was the one that was surprising.”
Wade wasn’t the only one surprised by the Nash deal as even Kupchak couldn’t believe that the Lakers were able to pull it off. Bringing in the best player from the division rival Phoenix Suns for virtually nothing was shocking to say the least as no one saw that coming.
Along with the Suns willing to make the deal, Nash agreeing to come to L.A. was equally shocking with the two-time NBA MVP letting it be known weeks before the deal that he’d find it hard to wear a Lakers jersey.
Recently, Wade commented on the moves made by the Lakers much like teammate Chris Bosh. Wade said that he believes the Lakers have greatly improved their chances of competing for a title next season, but thinks they need to make things work in terms of chemistry.
After the Heat formed the Big 3 of Wade, Bosh and LeBron James a few years ago, Miami struggled to play together for the first few months of the season. Despite the talent level in South Beach, it still took time for the team to come together in order to become arguably the best team in the league.
The Lakers will be in exactly the same position right out of the gate starting on October 30 against the Dallas Mavericks. There will no doubt be a transition period with Nash, Howard, Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant feeling each other out, but ultimately they may experience the same success with a trip to the NBA Finals potentially on the horizon.
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In case you missed it – Dwight Howard talks about starting over in Los Angeles.
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