“I’m definitely going to prepare better that I ever have to make this year a distant memory and next year a phenomenal experience.”
As far as this year being the furthest away from what he thought his first year as a Laker would be, Nash said he felt like the year never got started.
“In many ways it feels like we never got started.”
When asked about Dwight Howard, Nash did not feel like Howard had too much responsibility this year, and also said he thinks Los Angeles is the place for Dwight.
“I’m very hopeful that Dwight will be back, I think this is the place for him.”
Nash left us with hopeful words for the future.
“It was an amazing experience for me to play for this the franchise for this fan base. I think that’s the one thing that burns me so much right now is that it didn’t go they way I envisioned. I really wanted to have a huge impact on the team and really make this an incredible year and experience for the fans and players and everyone involved…really hope that next year we can repay everyone for their loyalty and their enthusiasm.”
Earl Clark said although he was uncertain about his future since he is a free agent, he hopes to stay a Laker.
“I want to be a Laker. I had a lot of fun this season. I hope everything works out and I can come back, I definitely don’t want to leave here being one of the worst Laker teams in history, I don’t want to be a part of that, I want to play here. Hopefully, I’ll be back.”
Earl Clark played with Dwight Howard in Orlando, although he rarely saw the floor. Clark shed some light on the difference between the media Dwight faced in Orlando versus what he’s faced in Los Angeles, but said that Dwight has a challenge in Los Angeles and he’s going to answer it.
“I think once he came to LA, he realized that the media here is very different. I think he just felt the pressure of being in an organization where losing is not an option. I think LA is good for Dwight. There is a challenge here, and he is going to answer it.”
Los Angeles Lakers(96) - Minnesota Timberwolves(103)