Is Steve Nash Getting A Pass?

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

There are not enough fingers to point out all the blame for this lost season the Los Angeles Lakers are limping through. Blame Jim Buss for Bussing up everything. Blame Mike D’Antoni for being a one trick pony unable to adapt his system to fit the personnel on the roster. Blame Kobe Bryant for taking too long to make the necessary change to his game in order to benefit the team. Blame Dwight Howard for being a deer in the headlights here in L.A. Blame Pau Gasol, blame Mike Brown, blame the injuries, blame the defense, blame the Princeton offense, blame Jack Nicholson.

Blame everyone except…Steve Nash?

Seems as if Nash gets a pass despite failing to be the difference maker this team needed at point guard. It doesn’t bode well that he was supposed to be D’Antoni’s man yet has looked like another lost soul in the D’Antoni system.

It’s especially disconcerting that Kobe is now running the show while Nash is standing by and watching. Bill Plaschke took Nash to task (kind of) today and his words ring true.

Perhaps Nash’s steady demeanor, in stark contrast to Howard’s pouty behavior, has helped him to avoid the criticism floating around the Lakers’ universe these days.

Then again, maybe everyone’s expectations for a nearly 40-year-old point guard are a little more realistic than those Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak had when they desperately overpaid for Nash.

Whatever the case Nash has failed to be to steady hand on the wheel the team needed. L.A.’s turnover woes and continued inability to thrive in the pick and roll is distressing considering those are two areas of expertise Nash has thrived in.

Even worse is that Nash was supposed to lessen Kobe’s work load. Instead KB24 is working more jobs than The Hedleys.

Make no mistake though Nash, like every member of the Purple and Gold roster, shares equal blame. The best could be yet to come for this messy season but odds are it won’t be anything close to the lofty goals established during the offseason.