Lakers Head Coach Byron Scott Hopes Steve Nash Returns
By Daniel Tran
The Los Angeles Lakers had a rough 2014. In year that saw the Lakers end the 2013-14 season with the worst record in franchise history since moving to Los Angeles, a free agency that brought next to nothing, and a 2014-15 season that has been disappointing to say the least, they are looking to quickly move ahead. Steve Nash is in the same boat.
2014 was a year of frustration for Nash and the Lakers fan base. From January to the end of the regular season, Nash did not even spend three hours in a Laker uniform on the basketball court due to hamstring, back and nerve issues. Even this season, those same health ailments continued to haunt Nash to the point where the Lakers ruled him out for the season and may be forcing him into retirement.
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Since the decision was made official, Nash has completely vanished. Nash has not been seen at the Lakers’ practice facility in El Segundo or at the Staples Center during game days. It was not until he sent off the Lakers at the airport for their Christmas game in Chicago last week that Nash was seen anywhere near an official Laker function.
“It was great to see him,” said Lakers head coach Byron Scott. “He still has to deal with the fact that his career might be over. I think that’s something he’s kind of wrestling with…I still invited him to come around here for practice, to join and just be part of the team, part of the coaching staff. When he feels he’s able to do that, in whatever time that might be, he’ll be welcome with open arms.”
Maybe with the new year beginning, Nash will turn the page and make more substantial appearances at practices and games. It would be a welcome circumstance for a team that sorely needs another veteran presence around the team.
One aspect of Nash’s game that transcends whatever ailment his body is suffering from is his leadership. From Dallas to Phoenix, all of his former teammates rave about how well he treats them and guides them through practices and games. There is not a single player that has said a malicious statement about Nash. He would be the perfect good cop to Kobe Bryant’s bad cop.
The two conflicting leadership styles are actually perfect complements to one another. Bryant is demanding and leads by example while Nash is more vocally supportive and easier to deal with. During the latest Lakers champion run from 2008-2010, Bryant had the diplomatic Derek Fisher to balance out the locker room. Nash can be the yang that balances Bryant’s yin and bring some locker room harmony to a 10-22 team.
It is hard to say whether the Lakers would have that win-loss record with Nash in the lineup, but with him on the sidelines he can be nearly as important to the team by mentoring the Lakers’ point guards. Nash’s knowledge of running the point would be invaluable to a struggling Jeremy Lin, who has shot 39.4 percent from the field and averaged 8.5 points in his last four games.
Nash would essentially be another assistant coach on the bench who specifically mentors and helps the point guards see the way he perceives the game and hand them down wisdom that only an 18 year veteran point guard can. He may not be able to play now, but he can at least be there on the sideline feeding his teammates advice that will help their performance on the court.
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And if Nash is not inclined to fill in either of those roles, just his presence will be enough. Much like fatherhood, more than half the formula of being successful is just being there. He does not need to call out the opposing teams plays or constantly be in the ears of his teammates, he just needs to be around to encourage them and support them through good plays and bad plays.
Being a part of a team is brotherhood that not a lot of people can say they have experienced. The bonding on road trips, the high-fives and cheering great plays are all a significant part of team chemistry that Nash can help facilitate to make an otherwise bleak season bearable.
The beginning of the new year is supposed to signal a rebirth and the passing of a year gone by. Whatever failures or tribulations of the past are forgotten and a clean slate is given. Nash can move forward from last years’ struggles and contribute in an intangible (but not less important) respect. 2015 may not be a great year for Lakers, but at least Nash could be there with them to help the team through it.