Once again, our writers’ roundtable is back. With training camp just around the corner, in this installment we will cover what each Lakers starter needs to work on the most during camp. Here our the writers’ interesting responses:
What does Lakers PG Steve Nash need to work on during training camp?
Josh Sexton: Staying Healthy. If any member of the team’s starting five goes down with injury the implications are going to be huge. But I believe Steve Nash is the member they can least afford to lose. Remember, Dwight Howard is not the only one with a creaky back. What if Nash’s balky back costs him a significant part of the season? If an injury does derail Nash, the Lakers’ season could go up in smoke.
Suki Thind: Nash simply needs to work on getting acclimated with the new system offensively and defensively. Similarly, as the starting point guard, he’ll have to learn everybody’s “sweet spots” and how they prefer to have the ball delivered to them. Also, as he’ll likely be appointed team captain, he should get to know all of his teammates and their various personalities.
Elizabeth Benson: Steve Nash needs to get acclimated with his new teammates to determine how he will run plays with the most flow and efficiency. I don’t think Nash will have any problems throwing himself into the new Princeton Offense, and therefore should focus on ironing out the pick-and-roll/pop game with his other teammates. Nash will continue to be a highly efficient shooter that is not a question. However, I would like to see Nash work on his defense, which is his weakness, with Mike Brown, who is a defensive minded coach.
Jabari Davis: Nash will probably have the smoothest transition into this new role, as he is a distributor and team-guy by nature. That said, as a guy that has generally controlled the ball and flow of the offense exclusively, there will be times where Nash will have to adapt to Kobe Bryant’s necessity to “go to work”. Don’t get me wrong, as Nash will undoubtedly be the primary ball-handler. There will be a natural transition period, and I’m eager to watch it develop.
Next Page: Kobe Bryant