As rough as the past two seasons have been for the Lakers, no one has had it worse than Steve Nash. The Laker organization gambled three first-round picks in order to acquire him, in full knowledge of his age and health issues. Sometimes, you win. Sometimes, you lose. Yes, the Lakers have lost a lot of games. They have yet to win one game this season. Game-to-game, you can see Kobe Bryant‘s mounting frustration as each game nears the end. But, no one can be more frustrated than Steve Nash.
He wrote a letter explaining what he has been going through to NBA fans.
"“I definitely don’t want to be a distraction, but I felt it best everyone heard from me in my own words.I have a ton of miles on my back. Three buldging disks (a tear in one), stenosis of the nerve route and spondylolisthesis. I suffer from sciatica and after games I often can’t sit in the car on the drive home, which has made for some interesting rides. Most nights I’m bothered by severe cramping in both calves while I sleep, a result of the same damn nerve routes, and the list goes on somewhat comically. That’s what you deserve for playing over 1,300 NBA games. By no means do I tell you this for sympathy – especially since I see these ailments as badges of honor – but maybe I can bring some clarity.I’ve always been one of the hardest workers in the game and I say that at the risk of what it assumes. The past 2 years I’ve worked like a dog to not only overcome these setbacks but to find the form that could lift up and inspire the fans in LA as my last chapter. Obviously it’s been a disaster on both fronts but I’ve never worked harder, sacrificed more or faced such a difficult challenge mentally and emotionally...I understand why some fans are disappointed. I haven’t been able to play a lot of games or at the level we all wanted. Unfortunately that’s a part of pro sports that happens every year on every team. I wish desperately it was different. I want to play more than anything in the world. I’ve lost an incredible amount of sleep over this disappointment.I’m doing what I’ve always done which is share a bit of my off-court life in the same way everyone else does. Going forward I hope we all can refocus our energies on getting behind these Lakers. This team will be back and Staples will be rocking.” – Tim Cato of SBNation (Entire letter found in the link)"
It’s been a tough season for the Lakers organization, its fans, and especially Steve Nash. It’s easy for the fans to focus on the 0-5 start or the injuries that have accumulated already so early into season. We shouldn’t forget that the players and the organization are working hard to bring the Lakers back to their previous glory.
Steve, you have had a tremendous career. You can be mentioned in the same breath as Kobe Bryant, as one of the last remaining players of the 1996 class. You are a multi-MVP winner, and outsmarted every player that was faster, quicker, or more athletic than you. They try, but they can’t catch up to your successful career.
Don’t forget that.