Steve Nash: What Impact Can He Provide?
By Mike Garcia
Steve Nash has an accomplished career. The two-time MVP with eight All-Star appearances has overachieved for someone who isn’t the fastest point guard in the NBA with the biggest vertical. He compensated with elite perimeter shooting skills, tremendous footwork around the basket, and great creativity and court vision. He hasn’t won a championship yet, but he had a series of playoff runs with the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns.
Something tells me he’s not satisfied.
He was traded to the Lakers with hopes of a championship. After Mike Brown got fired and Dwight Howard not working out as a Laker, those hopes seemed to have disappeared. Add on his nerve issues that stemmed from a broken leg injury, and he may just be hoping for a proper farewell tour.
Things are looking up. Mike Trudell of ESPN710 wrote on Twitter:
It's fair to be skeptical of Nash at 40 being able to stay healthy. He knows that better than anyone. But good signs are good signs.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) September 23, 2014
The thing that's kept Nash down for 2 years is the nerve issue (result of broken leg). Word is that's the issue that's improved this summer.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) September 23, 2014
Consistent word from last several weeks has been how good Nash has looked in scrimmages. Really does change dynamic of LAL if he's healthy.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) September 23, 2014
Byron Scott has said in an interview that Kobe Bryant will be on a minutes restriction. Perhaps he should do the same with Steve Nash. He chose Steve Nash to be a starter.
Though he saw limited minutes last season with the Lakers, his playmaking ability was still there. There were games where near nearly averaged an assist for every two minutes of play. His jumpshot wasn’t the same. Towards the end of last season, his injury was bothering him and it affected his shot as well.
What can Steve Nash do for the Lakers?
Steve Nash is one of the most cerebral point guards in the NBA. He has tremendous point guard IQ and can do a great job setting the tempo and running the offense. Yes, Byron Scott has guaranteed that the Lakers will play hard every night and focus on defense, but he will also run a lot of pick-and-roll play. It’s difficult to find a point guard with more expertise of pick-and-roll play than Steve Nash. He can run the offense to optimize its efficiency. If Nash has a minutes restriction throughout the season, it’s possible he can play all 82 games.
The only thing stopping Steve Nash is his body. With a minutes restriction, he can start every game. While he can impact the game on the floor with offensive efficiency, a part of his legacy could be passing on his knowledge to the younger Laker point guards. People forget that Steve Nash learned under Kevin Johnson and Jason Kidd with the Phoenix Suns. He took what he learned and became a two-time MVP.
MVP expectations would be very lofty for Jeremy Lin and Jordan Clarkson. If Steve Nash could improve either player or make either player an All-Star down the line, he can leave the game with some peace and finality. He deserves it.