OK…sort of. Nash will probably not be back for Saturday’s game. His status will depend on how his body reacts to the the past couple days of practice. But all Lakers fans will be receiving a Christmas gift Tuesday when the PG returns to the court. Everyone will get their first glimpse at what Mike D’Antoni’s new offense will produce with Steve Nash running the floor. It better be spectacular.
D’Antoni has been relying on Steve Nash to put his offense together, as the Lakers are still two games under the .500 mark at 12-14. Fans saw some grim games, but Nash’s return comes at a perfect time, where the Lakers appear to be improving. Hopefully, he can jump into the mix without disturbing the current on-court relationships.
Another kink in the chain this season has been Gasol, who having trouble adjusting to his new coach Mike D’Antoni. Less aggressive and sometimes looking lost, Pau is making an effort to improve his understanding of D’Antoni’s game by meeting with the head coach. The pair met and talked about how they could fix their differences. Hopefully they both come to some sort of conclusion soon. Remember, even though he has not been playing like it so far this season, Gasol is one of the most skilled big men in the NBA. The Lakers have won two championships with Gasol in the lineup.
Lakers Nation News
Jodie Meeks’ Thriving Performance Leads to Probable Starting Spot
Lakers News: Steve Nash Will Play Christmas Day
Former Lakers Championship Team Gather for Fundraiser
Magic Johnson Believes Steve Nash Can Be Lakers’ Leader
Report: Metta World Peace To Come Off Bench “Saturday And Beyond”
What You Need To Know About Every Lakers Trade Rumor
Placing Blame Does Little To Help These Lakers
Practice Report: Roles Still Uncertain, Steve Nash Looked “Great”
Gasol, D’Antoni Meet, Discuss Differences and Late Game Situations
Steve Nash ‘More Likley’ To Return Christmas Day Than Vs. Warriors
Lakers News
Who Will Be Nash’s Understudy [Silver Screen and Roll]
Breaking Down Pau Gasol’s return: Defense and Transition Offense [Silver Screen and Roll]
The Success of the Los Angeles Lakers Hinges on Dwight Howard, and Only Dwight Howard [Silver Screen and Roll]
Jordan Hill, Lakers Bench, for Sale [SB Nation]
Is Kobe Bryant shooting the Lakers out of games? [LA Times]
Nash Says Playing Saturday Iffy, but He Will Go Christmas Day For Sure [ProBasketballTalk]
Kobe is Jodie Meeks’ Fairy Lakers Godmother [OC Register]
Amir Johnson’s Raptor Haircut [SB Nation]
Quote Round Up: Thursday Practice [BasketBlog]
Lakers Entertain Kids at Annual Holiday Party [Lakers Blog]
Is Steve Nash Sandbagging? [Lakers Index]
Antawn Jamison perplexed by reduced role; vows to stay positive [Inside the Lakers]
Question: Play Dwight and Pau Together or Separately? [LA Times]
D’Antoni Tells Gasol He Won’t Bench Him at End of Games [ProBasketballTalk]
Nash Looks Good — but Good Enough to Play Yet? [Lakers Blog]
Lineup Change Brings Versatility, But Also More Questions [Forum Blue and Gold]
Lakers’ Nash Encouraged but Cautious After Hard Practice [OC Register]
Magic Johnson on the Hopeful Return of Steve Nash [LA Times]
NBA News
Video: Every NBA fan’s girlfriend [ProBasketballTalk]
Mayo Returns to Memphis an Unchanged Man [Straight Outta Vancouver]
Kevin Love, Timberwolves End Thunder’s win streak, Heat Blast Mavericks [SB Nation]
Russell Westbrook looking… like himself in GQ spread [ProBasketballTalk]
Dirk Nowitzki of Dallas Mavericks Practices for First Time Since Surgery [ESPN]
Mavericks Final Score: Dallas Roasted by Miami [Mavs Moneyball]
76ers Team Lacks Identity [SB Nation]
Portland Trail Blazers Win Weirdest Game in Franchise History [Blazer’s Edge]
Ainge: “There’s just no excuse for the way we’re playing” [ProBasketballTalk]
Nuggets Set NBA Record for Missed Threes at 0-22 in Loss [Denver Stiffs]
Derrick Rose of Chicago Bulls is Doing Great, Tom Thibodeau Says [ESPN]
NBA Unveils East-West Competition for All-Star Saturday [CBS Sports]
The Knicks Tried Hard to Deal Amar’e Stoudemire [Posting and Toasting]
The Redemption of a Globetrotter [SB Nation]
Dwyane Wade throws a touchdown to LeBron James (VIDEO) [ProBasketballTalk]
2012 NBA Wishes [Hickory-High]
Timberwolves Waive Josh Howard After He Tears ACL [Yahoo Sports]
7 Players Who Must be Traded for the Good of the NBA [SB Nation]
Jrue Holiday returns, says he will play Friday vs. Atlanta [ProBasketballTalk]
