Steve Nash’s Farewell Tour and the Precedence for Kobe

Even prior to their tenure together in Los Angeles and in the purple and gold, Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash were linked. Both entered the league in the 1996 Draft, Nash taken two spots after Bryant at 15th overall by the Phoenix Suns.

Nash didn’t have quite the path to success as Bryant. While Bryant ascended to star level fairly quickly, Nash had a slower path to the top. After two years with the Suns, Nash was dealt to Dallas, and it was there he would eventually break through. It wasn’t until his fifth season, 2000-01, that he really asserted himself as a great player, averaging 15.6 points and 7.3 assists.

The following season, the personal accolades came as Nash was named to his first All-Star team and was named to 3rd team All-NBA. His career took the biggest leap in 2005-06 when he returned to Phoenix, where he was two MVPs, led the famous “7 seconds or less” offense, and became one of the most respected players in the league.

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His great physical conditioning and his play style that wasn’t physically demanding led to an elongated career. At age 35, he lead the Suns to the Western Conference Finals. At 37, he made the All-Star game. For his career in Phoenix, he’s a 50-40-90 member.

There was more than suitable reasonable for Lakers fans to be excited when Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss pulled off the trade to bring in Nash for “only” a couple draft picks.

Unfortunately, we know how downhill it’s went since then.

In two seasons, he’s played just 65 games, looking more and more like a shell of his former self. He’s entering his final year under contract and is admittedly hanging on for the money. This summer, he announced this would be his final season, but it seems too little, far too late.

Nash is another example of the undefeated record of Father Time. He’s tenure in LA has left fans bitter, frustrated that he couldn’t provide more to the franchise.

Yet this season, he’ll shower in the Farewell Tour. Certainly that wasn’t the reason for him to announce his intent to retire, seen as an inevitability for a long time. Fans of the Lakers will get to see Nash travel from city to city, fans awarding his great career with standing ovations and video tributes, with a couple gifts certainly spread in along the way.

It’s tough to see such a great man, teammate, and basketball player go down the way Nash has. But this season should be considered a precursor for the fan base. Their own beloved Bryant is also nearing the tail end of his career. A lot of his future will be decided by just how well he plays this season. If he holds true to his word (which, admittedly, has changed a handful of times), Bryant’s final year could be next season.

It makes it even more disheartening to see two players, once the greatest at their positions and two of the best of their decade, go out with a mere wimper. The Lakers likely won’t be making noise in the playoffs. These two will inevitably serve as tutors to set up Los Angeles for it’s future.

Be prepared, LA. This could be one long Farewell Tour.