Stretching the Field: Age catches up with Nash
Oct 24, 2014 - 3:41 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The end is near for point guard Steve Nash.Wait, who am I kidding? The end is HERE for point guard Steve Nash.
The nearly crippled Los Angeles Lakers star just announced he will sit out the entire 2014-15 season with a nagging back issue that has prevented him from earning any sense of worth in his big Hollywood contract.
Chalk another one up for Father Time because he has caught up to arguably the top Canadian basketball player in the history of the sport. Father Time is undefeated in these types of cases.
You can add luggage to the reason why Nash will be a spectator after he injured his fragile back carrying bags this week.
It wouldn't be fair to blame Samsonite, Traveler's Choice or whatever brand of baggage Nash was handling, but he has been unwanted baggage for the Lakers. Last season, the 40-year-old appeared in 15 games (10 starts) for the Lakers in his 18th NBA campaign and was rendered useless. This isn't hockey or baseball where someone of that age can have an impact, albeit a small one.
Nash averaged 6.8 points, 1.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.1 blocks in 20.9 minutes. That's not two-time NBA MVP-type numbers. But health means so much more than talent. How can you expect Nash to perform at the level he used to when he's knocking on the doors of retirement and the trainer's room?
He played 50 games in his first season with Los Angeles in 2012-13, posting an average of 12.7 points and 6.7 assists, and cost the Lakers several draft picks in a deal with the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers mortgaged part of their future when they acquired Nash in hopes of bringing another title to Tinseltown. At one point the Lakers had Nash, Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. That spells an NBA Finals run. It wasn't in the cards.
Honestly, the Lakers weren't going to compete with a healthy Nash and Bryant this season and it comes as a surprise to nobody. The Lakers are going to struggle on the court anyway much like they are in the accounting department. We all know Bryant is being paid more than most actors and it's killing the team. Nash is still on the books for almost $10 million this season and won't even set foot on the hardwood.
"Being on the court this season has been my top priority and it is disappointing to not be able to do that right now," Nash said. "I work very hard to stay healthy and unfortunately my recent setback makes performing at full capacity difficult. I will continue to support my team during this period of rest, and will focus on my long-term health."
Jeremy Lin is a top candidate to run Byron Scott's scheme this season.
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said it's disappointing for the team, fans and Nash, and he greatly appreciates the future Hall of Famer's efforts. It's too bad the efforts Nash put into recovering from nerve damage in his back never translated on the floor. It has to be difficult for any executive or head coach to deal with the uncertainty of having a guy in the lineup on a nightly basis. That won't be an albatross with Nash officially done.
The eight-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA First Team selection built himself a splendid resume and was hoping to play beyond this upcoming season if his body permitted it.
Let's face it, Nash is all about just scoring and dishing because defense, besides maybe a steal here and there, went out the window after his team made a basket. Nash played with some of the greatest in the sport and his Phoenix days were some of the best ever. Mike D'Antoni drained the most out of Nash, who unfortunately has no titles to show for it.
A former Santa Clara standout, the skinny and barely 6-foot Nash was traded to the Dallas Mavericks and teamed up with Dirk Nowitzki. Nash and Nowitzki lost in the 2003 Western Conference Finals, and Nowitzki later won a title with point guard Jason Kidd in 2011. Nash made a return to Phoenix from 2004-2012, when the Suns were a regular in the playoffs and made it to the West Finals, only to lose to Nowitzki in 2006.
Nash led the Suns back to the conference finals in 2009-10, but Bryant and the Lakers ruined those plans en route to another Larry O'Brien trophy.
The only time Nash will get near a championship trophy or ring is when a friend shows him. And that's hard to say for one of the more talented little men to ever play. Nash is third on the NBA's all-time assists list behind Hall of Famer John Stockton and Kidd, and is known for consistency from the free throw line. Nash, who has handed out 10,335 assists, has made 90.4 percent at the foul line.
Every player, guards especially, turns the ball over and Nash is doing it at a 2.9 per game clip in his career. He averages 14.3 ppg and is the only player in NBA history to shoot at least 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3- point range and 90 percent from the free-throw line in four different seasons.
There's no argument his numbers are first ballot worthy of enshrinement into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. While he hasn't officially announced his retirement, the writing is on the wall and it could have been a few years ago. The past two seasons in LA may have altered Nash's career numbers, but it will never erase what he's meant to the league and fans.
Nash is a perfect role model for young minds and would be a perfect coach at any level. If his back disagrees, give him an orthopedic chair Phil Jackson used to have in the final days of his brilliant career on the sidelines.
It's time to hang 'em up, Steve.
Enjoy retirement, your children and personal endeavors. You earned it.
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