The Lakers will play the Houston Rockets, New Orleans Hornets and Oklahoma City Thunder this week, and even though Nash will make the trip he will not play. The Los Angeles Daily News reports that Nash will travel with the team to get further treatment and his timetable for return is still unclear.
Nash said the non-displaced fracture in his left leg hasn’t healed enough for him to play in at least the Lakers’ three-game trip this week. They have stops in Houston (Tuesday), New Orleans (Wednesday) and Oklahoma City (Friday). The Lakers then have a home game Sunday against Utah.
Another 10 days to two weeks?” Nash wondered aloud. “That’s a total guess. Since I can’t run, I’m not going to play this week.”
The Lakers point guards have not played very well this season and Steve Nash’s presence is needed on the court. The D’Antoni offense will only be successful with an elite point guard and Nash is someone who can control all the talent the Lakers have. In addition, there is a chance that Nash can get Pau Gasol back to his former self and possibly jumpstart his season.
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There is no question this Lakers team is struggling right now, but Nash could be the solution to the problem. Not only do the Lakers need a skillful point guard on the court, but Nash is also someone who will hold all his teammates accountable for poor effort, something shown during the team’s loss to the Magic.