The Coddling Of Steve Nash Must End
By Blair Hicks
9 Million dollars! That is what the Lakers are paying Steve Nash to sit out the second night of back to back games. That’s basically Steph Curry money without anywhere near the production.
Nash is a 1st ballot Hall of Famer no question, but that distinction was earned with other franchises. So far his time in Los Angeles has been disappointing to say the least.
He was already in steady decline during his last two years in Phoenix, but his efficiency and passing were still stellar. An adjustment period was expected last season playing with Kobe Bryant and dealing with lingering injuries. This season was to represent a new, old Nash playing in a familiar system properly staffed. In the season opener against the Clippers, Nash took only 3 shots, scored three points, and had 5 assists in 21 minutes of play. He can still shoot but won’t. With Shawne Williams,Nick Young, and Steve Blake as starters, a passive Steve Nash is a detriment to the unit. He and Gasol should shoulder the lion’s share of the offense with that group.
The Lakers look better with Jordan Farmar on the floor.
Steve Nash’s Lakers career is beginning to resemble the life cycle of the alaskan salmon in its spawning stage before eventual death. Unacceptable.
The team’s strategy of “saving” Nash from too much wear and tear leads to the question of saving for what? The playoffs?? With Kobe Bryant injured and out indefinitely the Lakers need all hands on deck and for their regular rotation to not take nights off.
As capable as they are of suprising wins against teams like the Clippers, this roster is equally capable of blowout losses like the following night against the Warriors. Mike D’Antoni has said he will take a case by case approach of when to sit Nash but if he’s not able to regroup after just 21 minutes of play in a season opener and be able to play the next night, the Lakers are in trouble. The strategy would be palatable if he played well when he was on the court.
From the outside this looks like a desperate attempt to salvage what little is left of a once bright, now fading career and a trade that gave up two first round picks and two second round picks. Maybe Bryant’s return will turn him into the deadly spot up shooter he was at times last year but at the moment the Lakers need a leader, a player that will galvanize this roster of chewed up parts and aging stars and make it cohesive and consistent.
If not Nash who?
And if he’s not that man he was in Phoenix then its time step aside and let Farmar try. Los Angeles is a what have you done for me lately town – don’t ever forget that.