One of the biggest narratives surrounding the Lakers in this preseason has been the health of point guard Steve Nash. After suffering a broken leg and dealt with hamstring issues last season, the Lakers ability to keep Nash on the floor could correlate to success in the win-loss columns.
With Nash set to turn 40 in February, his age is a huge reason why he’s dealt with injury issues over the last few seasons. One of the ways that Gregg Popovich has sat guys like Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili on the second of back-to-backs, and it’s something that the Lakers have considered with the likes of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and, of course, Steve Nash.
During Thursday’s practice, Serena Winters asked Nash about the prospect of sitting on the second of back-to-backs.
Steve Nash says he’s not completely counting out the idea of taking off some back to backs during the season but…
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) October 24, 2013
…Nash also isn’t embracing it…says he always has a mentality to push through but may have to be more realistic. “We’ll see” he says
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) October 24, 2013
Whether Nash is willing to accept that kind of role remains to be seen, but if it is necessary, the Lakers will have a decent fill-in for Nash at the point guard spot on his nights off in Jordan Farmar.
The same can be said for Kobe Bryant, as they’ve brought in both Wes Johnson and Nick Young to reduce the minutes Bryant will have to play this season.
Last season, Steve Nash missed 32 games due to injuries, and if he has to miss a few games this year to prevent any extend stays on the injured reserve, that’s a strategy that the Lakers will likely implore.
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