Nash participated in his first practice today since being sidelined with hip and hamstring soreness. The Lakers have been patiently awaiting Nash’s return who after today’s practice said that he is “optimistic” to play in Sunday’s first playoff match-up against the San Antonio Spurs.
“I’m very optimistic that I’ll play on Sunday…
Although Steve Nash participated in half-court five-on-five drills, Nash still did not attempt sprinting at 100%. He also revealed that he has not sprinted the past two weeks.
“Especially, the last two weeks, I can’t sprint.”
Nash said he definitely isn’t pain-free, and that although he is optimistic for his return, he’s been optimistic for the past few games and doesn’t want to get ahead of himself.
“I just don’t want to over promise and get ahead of myself. The last almost three weeks now, I wake up every morning thinking, today’s the day. I want to hang myself after practice.”
That’s an understandable thought for a 39-year-old man who came to the Lakers for one reason only, to win a championship. So, with all the injuries that Nash has endured this year, has he ever thought about hanging up his jersey?
“To be honest with you, it’s been a tough year for me….but when I’ve been healthy I’ve felt great, as good as I’ve ever felt. The biggest issue for me this year was trying to find a niche playing alongside Kobe and playing with new teammates and I feel like that really started to come for me the last kind of month and a half or so.”
If Nash does play on Sunday he expects to start.
“I imagine if I’m ready to play, I’ll start.”
—- See Steve Nash through the years in photos! —-
Steve Blake has done a phenomenal job stepping up in Nash and Kobe Bryant’s absence. Head Coach Mike D’Antoni said if Nash is ready, it’s “possible” he’ll put both in the starting line-up. Nash doesn’t see there being an adjustment with both of them on the floor.
“We’ve played quite a bit together this year so I don’t think it’s anything new to be out there together…it could be a lot of minutes together which is a good thing. We’re a little undersized but I think we’ll both scrap and fight for our team.”
The Lakers take on the San Antonio Spurs in the first found round of the playoffs on Sunday. Tip-off set for 12:30PM.
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VIDEO: Steve Nash Talks About His Injury And His Future
