Writers from around Tribune Co. discuss whether the acquisition of two-time league MVP Steve Nash puts the Lakers back in the running for the NBA title. Check back throughout the day for their responses and join the discussion by voting in the poll and leaving a comment of your own.
Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times
In two word: Heck, yes. Steve Nash not only gives the Lakers the dynamic point guard they have lacked for, oh, 20 years, he makes the core trio of Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol exponentially better.
The Lakers can make the pick-and-roll game a staple of their offense while spreading the floor more effectively and benefiting from the sharpshooting of a player who has made 42.8% of his three-pointers over his career.
Nash, who has not won a title in his 16 NBA seasons, will also infuse the Lakers with a hunger that had been palpably absent outside of Bryant. Additionally, he'll play the role of good-guy leader in the locker room, somewhat offsetting the more menacing Bryant.
