After playing in his foundation’s annual celebrity soccer game, Steve Nash discussed his current health and Dwight Howard’s future in the purple and gold (h/t ESPN LA).
In a season where Nash dealt with a fractured fibula and right hamstring/hip injuries, he doesn’t believe his minutes need to be limited next season as suggested by Lakers trainer, Gary Vitti. While he admitted he isn’t quite 100 percent yet, Nash remains confident he’ll be ready by the start of training camp:
“I’ll be fine. It’s just going to take me another few weeks to get back to 100 percent and then I’ll train like usual for the season.”
Of course, Nash was asked about Dwight Howard’s future with the team and smiled when a reporter mentioned the #STAYD12 Dwight Howard billboard campaign around Los Angeles. Despite all the injuries which led to a first round exit, Nash is optimistic that the Lakers can be successful after a full training camp under Mike D’Antoni’s system:
“We love Dwight. We were just scratching the surface last year with all the injuries (and) we think we can really form something special after having a year under our belt and going through a training camp together.”
Although Dwight Howard complained about his role in D’Antoni’s offense, Nash believes Howard can thrive if the Lakers surround him with shooters — quite similarly to the Orlando Magic:
“He played Mike’s offense pretty much in Orlando so if he (felt comfortable) in Orlando, I think we can make it work. We need to surround him with some shooters, but I think he’ll be great in it.”
There is a lot of uncertainty in Laker Land, but everything starts on July 1 with Dwight Howard. With the Lakers hopeful that they will be able to re-sign Howard, the general consensus from the players are to address their weaknesses with perimeter athletes and shooters this offseason.
Acquiring those types of players to the experienced core of Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Steve Nash, and maybe Pau Gasol, the Lakers put themselves in a better position to compete for a championship next season — as long as they stay healthy.
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