Mar 24, 2015; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash (left) visits with Bill Bertka after the press conference to announce his retirement at the Toyota Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Steve Nash‘s tenure with the Lakers was a disaster, but his biggest assist could be forthcoming. Proposed initially in David Murphy’s Bleacher Report piece, the Lakers should offer Nash a coaching role for the 2015-16 team. Throughout Nash’s struggles, the Lakers organization went above and beyond to support him and the best way to reward both sides is to make Nash an assistant coach. Here are 5 reasons why Nash would add tremendous value to the Lakers coaching staff:
1. Mentor Point Guards
In his prime, Steve Nash was the top point guard in the NBA. Not too many athletes can say they were the best in the league, but Nash has two MVP trophies to prove it. Point guards are extensions of the coach on the floor and Nash showed his leadership ability his entire career. Nash was never gifted athletically, but he got the most out of his talent. Longevity is a trait overlooked in the NBA yet despite Nash’s years with the Lakers, he was an example of consistency into his 30’s. As basketball players get older, their fundamentals become exposed, so with Nash’s help the Lakers guards would have a mental and mechanical edge over opponents. In the short time Nash worked with Jordan Clarkson, his court vision and change of pace improved dramatically. Imagine what he could do with the Lakers guards over a season.
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