Bring up the name Steve Nash to Lakers’ fans and prepare to get some blowback about draft picks, injuries, and, essentially, a bunch of regret. But, while Nash’s time on the court couldn’t have been more difficult, his time off it did lend itself to some Lakers’ success, especially when he started to work out with Jordan Clarkson.
Well, it seems Nash is taking these skills north to the new darling of the Pacific Division:
ESPN sources say two-time MVP Steve Nash finalizing agreement with Golden State to join Warriors as part-time player development consultant
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) September 15, 2015
I’ve no clue whether such a role was ever discussed between the Lakers and Nash. Considering Nash is based in Los Angeles and, as noted above, had a history of providing tutoring to Clarkson, I would hope it would have. When you consider the Lakers also just drafted D’Angelo Russell who, after summer league ended, said he would like to work out with Nash…well, let’s just say this announcement that Nash will likely work with the Warriors is disappointing.
Based on Stein’s report, there’s no additional background about how this might affect Nash’s workout sessions with any Lakers’ players. I’d be hopeful he still might find some time to offer some gym time to Clarkson and Russell, but if that’s not the case, the Lakers have seemingly missed out here.
I’m not here to proclaim Nash as some savant who can instantly transfer his skills to other players. But considering some of the growth Clarkson showed in his game after working with Nash (and his proclamations he would work out with him more this summer), there’s evidence he knows a thing or two about teaching the game. And the Lakers — a team which once employed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to help with the development of Andrew Bynum — maybe better than others, should know the benefits of having a former legend help out with young players.
Maybe it wouldn’t have worked out between Nash and the Lakers, but I sure wish we would have gotten the opportunity to find out. Especially after learning the Warriors will.
Anonymous says
WTF?
Wasn’t the board all a buzz awhile back about the fact that Nash helped out KD, when he was injured, and that may give the Lakers an ‘in’ when he becomes a free agent this summer. For the franchise, who has zero connection with Durant, losing a Laker advocate hurts. I know the odds of KD even giving us a glance are remote but at least we could point to a warm relationship with Nash, which is now gone.
Not sure what to make this move to the Warriors. I always thought Nash would make a good addition to the FO or coaching staff. And in light of our $27 M investment (for very little return) I thought he would look to join the Lakers. So what’s the deal?
Did the FO and coaching staff blow this? Or, is Nash not perceived to be a good addition/coach and his leaving is much a do about nothing? My gut says Nash could make a contribution/difference and something happened that made him look elsewhere. FO supporters don’t want to acknowledge this but they make some strange decisions in that office — this is another one.
LT Mitchell says
Who needs Nash’s basketball IQ when we already have Byron Scott?
Nash would have only gotten in the way of Byron’s brilliant coaching. If Nash was consulting for the Lakers, he might suggest that giving an aging veteran, who is returning from major surgery, extended minutes just might be a bad idea. …. or he might suggest that the 3 point shot can actually help a team. … or he might suggest that the Princeton isn’t the ideal offense for Russell or this team.
The clueless Warriors can have him. I say good riddance, and that goes for Jerry West as well….. sigh.
Anonymous says
Certainly disappointing since Nash had been positively linked to Durant and Clarkson. I agree that the Durant angle was a long shot but as mentioned even that angle can’t be played now. I’m going to assume that Nash can make a difference and this is a missed opportunity for the Lakers. The Warriors FO knows what they are doing and they would not bring in someone that could mess with the good thing they have going.
That may be the answer right there in front of all of us. The Warriors are on a mission, they have leadership and direction something the Lakers are lacking right now. Never underestimate the attraction of joining an organization that has been able to include very bright minds (Lacob, West, Meyers and Kerr) and focus them all on one goal.
I’m not saying anything out of school here, but the Lakers are not known for being well managed or well coached. If Nash had a choice he chose wisely.
rr says
While we don’t know the back story, the optics on this are very bad for the Lakers and the Lakers FO.
LKK says
Here is s bit of an article on ESPN’s website:
Steve Nash in talks to be a part-time consultant for Warriors
33m – NBA STEVE NASH +3 more
Marc Stein, ESPN Senior Writer
Two-time MVP Steve Nash is in advanced negotiations to join the Golden State Warriors as a part-time player development consultant, according to league sources.
Sources told ESPN.com that Nash, who was not planning to go into coaching after formally announcing his retirement in March, has been lobbied aggressively by Warriors coach Steve Kerr and team president Rick Welts to spend a few days per month with the team to work on skills with individual players.
Hmmm….the rich get richer. The Lakers sure could have used Nash in a similar vein. It certainly seems like a missed opportunity.
Joe Houston says
Steve Nash isn’t a coach. This is a signing of no consequence.
rr says
This is probably not a huge deal, but it looks bad for the Lakers in many ways. I would have liked to have seen Nash signed to a consultant’s deal, helping out Clarkson and Russell here and there, and I think most Lakers fans would agree. The fact that Nash will be helping out up in GS with West, Walton and the champs, just makes it look worse.
Anonymous says
Well, if Steve Nash is unavailable to mentor the Laker point guards, I think Coach Scott could turn to his friend Magic Johnson for assistance.
R says
Probably not a make or break for the Lakers. They have bigger issues than Steve Nash working with them or not.
Looks bad? Oh I don’t know, not so much compared to all the other lousy “optics” surrounding the team.
david h says
hey darius: let’s recap shall we?
begin to negotiate with kobe’s people asap for a front office consultant position.
hire Metta World Peace: team body guard.
and if hustle is a skill; you found one in Robert Sacre.
two more weeks you say?
Go lakers
Anthony says
I really thought Nash would stay and try to help out rookies seeing as he didn’t contribute much during his time here with the lakers.
KevTheBold says
Nash: Paid seasons of millions and loyalty, in return for a few games and many excuses.
He was ok to play soccer however.
Now he flies north to our state rivals,.. I say let the con man work his scam on them.
D’Angelo already has innate skills which Nash could only have tainted.
Nash now can only give lessons in disloyalty.
D. Peterson says
Why did anyone think Nash would do anything for the Lakers? It was pretty clear from the Grantland pieces on him last year that he had no problem taking the Lakers money and giving them nothing in return. Nash is looking out for Nash, and Steve Kerr smothered him with warm fuzzies and made him feel special and wanted. I’m sure things look and feel a whole lot better for him as a consultant for the world champs than for the rebuilding Lakers. Besides, he doesn’t like Kobe and he never felt wanted in LA anyway. To be honest, good riddance.
R says
My how bitter we all are!
I think Nash gave what he was able to give – admittedly, it wasn’t much.
I’m pretty confident he didn’t come to LA specifically to rip the Lakers off. Quite the contrary. Signing older players is risky. Signing young players is too, but that’s another subject. The Lakers FO knew they were placing a bet by signing Nash. It didn’t pay off and now it’s time to move on.
Craig W. says
R makes a lot of sense. I, too, would have liked to see Steve Nash mentor the Laker guards. However, I don’t view this as any kind of disloyalty, or as another way to ‘dun’ the front office. If there is any kind of loyalty, Steve would have owed it to the Phoenix Suns, not the Lakers.
Fans really have to get over the idea that players owe a city something because that city paid their salary. I left more than one job in my life and I don’t feel I was being disloyal to the company I left.
KevTheBold says
Bitter ? I say it’s eyes wide open.
What does it take to bring some people out of and naivete ?
Nash’s actions spoke volumes.
$28 Million dollars, and not Canadian dollars either. Plus firm caring loyalty from the Busses.
And what did we get in return?
Excuses of back pain, then heavy rounds of Golf.
The moment his contract was paid in full, he plays soccer.
Last but not least, when we land a promising point guard which has a skill set that resembles his, Nash flees to our upstate rivals.
Now I’m not angry, as in my opinion, D’Angelo was born better than Nash was ever, and he has a chance to win the rings that Nash did never.
I just hate to see our team, and our owners get taken advantage of.
mud says
my goodness, what a nothing story.
doesn’t help, doesn’t hurt…
pat oslon says
No big deal. We have bigger issues to address than worrying about Steve Nash.
Any how, now is as good a time as any to close that chapter of “Paradise Lost” once and for all.
kO says
Clearly Jimmy didn’t want him around rubbing incompetence in his face. Out if sight out of mind.
West
Jackson
Nash
mud says
kO, i know you know, but West quit because of PJ. PJ quit because he was old and couldn’t sit on the sidelines or travel in planes very easily anymore. Nash can still help Lakers players as he has done, if he wants to. these are three things that are not connected to Jim Buss.
J C says
In my opinion, Nash was miffed at the Lakers front office last year because his “injury” — (lifting a suitcase in his garage) that forced him out for all of last season — was the Lakers idea.
I think Nash wanted to play his final season. Not be swept under the rug.
The FO wanted to accelerate the youth movement and after Howard left it was obvious we weren’t winning a title. So the Lakers told Steve he was retiring. Steve, rightfully, felt his legacy was tarnished by the Lakers decision.
This is why you didn’t see Nash at the games last year and why it took forever for him to work out with Clarkson.
And now it’s why Nash is probably going to be a member of the Warrior team.
Yeah Laker management looks great right now. Nash joins Howard and Pau heading out of Lakerville without shedding a tear.
And maybe it’s Kerr that is selling Nash on the idea but to me it’s another feather in the cap of Jerry West, working in the background and staying out of the limelight, Logo-style.
Joe Houston says
The same logo who didn’t want to draft magic.
Snarky George says
JC – I had not heard that angle regarding the FO asking Nash to be ‘injured’ and not get on the floor. I’m certainly no FO advocate but even that seems a bit much to swallow. I mean Nash was out for the year before Kobe got hurt. I don’t think the FO went into stealth tank mode until well after Kobe was on the shelf.
If you can provide some ‘proof’ around your statement I think it would add credence to the argument that the Buss kids are victims — not of forces beyond their control, but of self inflicted foolishness.
kO says
Mud if you don’t let me tell my tainted version in the off season then what fun can I have?
BTW JC story is correct I also was told the same by someone who was involved.
Snarky George says
BTW JC story is correct I also was told the same by someone who was involved.
—
The Buss kids are victims — not of forces beyond their control, but of self inflicted foolishness.
mud says
sitting Nash was probably the correct decision.
if he’s crying about that, then he’s really a baby.
either way, it doesn’t matter that much.
rr says
Nash can still help Lakers players as he has done, if he wants to.
—
If his agreement with GS says that the arrangement is non-exclusive, sure. That seems intuitively unlikely, however. If Lacob/Meyers/West/Kerr see Nash as a big plus as a consultant, then I don’t see them wanting him consulting with competitors.
R says
“Joe Houston September 16, 2015 at 5:16 am
The same logo who didn’t want to draft magic.”
Hah hah!! So you want to take a shot at West’s legacy? OK, Ill rise to that bait any time. Here we go: The same logo who drafted Kobe and signed Shaq. Had enough?
I think I’ll show a little mercy and leave it at that.