It’s common knowledge that this season has been a massive disappointment for a Los Angeles Lakers team that was expected to revive “Showtime” and be a force in the NBA. When Steve Nash decided to take his talents albeit significantly diminished talents to the Lakers, I bet he didn’t envision having to put up with the turmoil, child-like squabbling amongst teammates, getting run off the court by teams with a lot less talent than theirs and not doing what he does best which is running the team.
In an interview Nash opens up about coming to terms with the latter, embracing his new role and having no regrets.
“Ten out of 10 times, I make the same decision again,” Nash told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday. “I’ve gotten to see my kids probably four times as much as I’d seen them if I’d have gone back East. That’s first and foremost. Second of all, it’s a great experience to play for the Lakers organization. … I’m happy here.
“I’m beyond playing for the credit or the adulation. I feel secure in myself as a player. I just want to help this team, regardless of what it means for me personally.”
Nash also talked about the opportunity to try something different being a factor unlike what he was used to in Phoenix.
“I really appreciate it. I could still be in Phoenix and have the ball in my hands the majority of the time and probably be out of the playoffs again, so it’s worthy of trying something new — especially since the upside here is potentially great.”
The native of Canada is also trying to remain realistic about the Lakers prospects this season, taking into account all the adversity the team has encountered this season, while holding onto the possibility that the team can still do damage this year and for the rest of his time in L.A.
“This year I don’t know that we could get to the heights that we expected in the summer, just because of what we’re facing,” Nash said, noting injuries to Gasol and reserve big man Jordan Hill, among other things. “I think it’s inevitable, or impossible, to reach the heights that maybe we saw in the summer, regardless of whether they were attainable or not. I think we have to adjust, and our goal should be to try to get a little bit better every day, try to figure out a little more every day and see where it leaves us in the next six weeks or so.
“Hopefully we get in the playoffs, and hopefully we really form a team that really causes people problems, and we make a great run. But hope definitely springs eternal for the future still. I’ll still be here two more years, and am incredibly excited about what we could do.”
I don’t think it was a surprise to anyone on the Lakers that sacrifices would have to be made amongst the teams’ superstars, what they didn’t anticipate was Kobe and Steve having to totally reinvent their games to give this team a chance to win night in night out.