Steve Nash played in just 15 games during the Lakers 2013-14 season, plagued by nerve issues that stemmed from a leg fracture in his first season with the Lakers. Nash, not yet ready to throw in the towel, is looking to get healthy enough to sustain minutes in his final contract season with the Lakers in 2014-15. A little over a month removed from the Lakers worst season in franchise history, Nash has continued to work out each day, but his time on the basketball court still remains limited as he works to overcome his nerve issues.
“I haven’t been on the court as much right now,” Steve Nash told LakersNation.com at the Sports Spectacular Gala over the weekend. “I want to try to lessen the impact and just strengthen and get myself in position to where maybe I can take some of the pressure off that nerve a little bit as I’m still staying in shape. So, it’s kind of a tricky balance I’m trying to walk here, but I actually feel pretty good right now. So, hopefully I can continue to ramp it up and have success doing so.”
Nash reiterated his hope to be back next year, but after a season that Nash could only describe as a “nightmare” for himself, he knows there’s no guarantee. He’s open to the idea of returning in a limited role off the bench and Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak has been both supportive and appreciative of his efforts to return. As for teammate Kobe Bryant, Nash said he’s yet to run into Bryant this off-season.
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Nash accepted the Spirit Award at the 29th annual Sports Spectacular Gala, for his philanthropic efforts in the Los Angeles community. The event raised awareness for obesity and diabetes, benefiting the new Sports Spectacular Health & Wellness Center at Cedars-Sinai, funding new medical research and encouraging healthy eating and exercise.
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