Two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash hasn’t been on the floor for the Los Angeles Lakers since Nov. 10, playing a total of only six games this season. Although many believed Nash would simply retire after suffering root irritation in his back, the 39-year-old has been reluctant to call it a career.
After being diagnosed with the root irritation more than two months ago, Nash appears to be finally nearing his return. Nash could be back as early as next Tuesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
With Nash participating in Lakers practice on Thursday, the veteran point guard answered questions from the media about his injury problems over the last two seasons. According to Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters, it’s been an extremely hard process for Nash:
Steve Nash said what he's going through right now, is the "hardest thing" he's ever had to deal with in his entire career.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) January 30, 2014
With Nash missing the majority of last season and only playing six games thus far this season, it comes as no surprise that this has been a trying time for the veteran.
Once acquired by the Lakers before last season, Nash was thought to be the answer the Lakers were looking for to cure the problems at the point guard position. Unfortunately, Nash went down in only his second game as a Laker as a result of a collision with Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers.
Hopefully, after more than two months rehab on his injured back, Nash can come back and make an impact while either in the starting lineup or coming off the bench for the Lakers.
With Kendall Marshall playing so well since becoming the starter following Kobe Bryant’s knee injury, Nash might be forced to come off the bench. It remains to be seen if head coach Mike D’Antoni will make another change to the starting lineup or simply stay with Marshall as the starter.
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