Lakers ‘to-do’ List: Point Guards: Lin, Nash and Clarkson

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Apr 8, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash (10) is congratulated by teammates Jodie Meeks (10), Nick Young (0) and Jordan Farmar (1) after passing Mark Jackson (not pictured) to move into third on the all-time NBA assist list in the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Steve Nash

Try to ‘enjoy’ some much needed rest.

As the oldest member of the NBA, Steve Nash’s summertime schedule has to be moulded differently to those of his younger counterparts. Whilst in the past he will have spent this time refining his game, Nash’s offseason should now consist of exercises and rehabilitation with a view to preserve his remaining strengths for another 9 months, hopefully ensuring one more year of productivity and efficiency. Although Steve has admitted that he expects this coming season to be his last, you can be certain that one of the greatest Point Guards ever to play the game of basketball will want to end his storied career on a high note.

It’s time for a reality check.

Steve Nash still loves basketball. When you are blessed with doing what you love for eighteen years, the day that you have to give up and let go of that passion will be the hardest time in your life. Unfortunately for Nash, the fat lady is well and truly singing. His back is collapsing in on him, his legs refuse to take the wear that they did just three years ago and, perhaps saddest of all, the management staff around him no longer have any confidence in his ability to contribute towards their team. Judging by recent statements from Steve, he’s aware that he’s into his swansong season. None the less, it’s important that a few strong outings don’t hide the ever present reality that this man’s days as a basketball player are numbered.

Enjoy the little things.

Age really has a funny way of emphasising the beauty in the normality of life. We often take the smallest things for granted, at least until they’re snatched away from us against our will. Whether it’s having a quick shootaround pre-game, signing a fan’s shirt outside an arena or simply revelling in the camaraderie of the locker room, Nash has already discussed the difficulties in leaving behind “the little things that make the game” in Grantland’s, “The Finish Line”. If this is to be Steve Nash’s goodbye to the NBA, it’s absolutely vital that he’s able to enjoy this final year of his career. At last, it looks as if Nash has realised that accepting the inevitable and readying his body for retirement will be the easiest way to ensure that he leaves the league on a high.