The Los Angeles Lakers are coming into a very important season for the team after Dwight Howard left in free agency and with Kobe Bryant still returning from his Achilles, the team will be relying more than ever on Steve Nash and that is why the front office is getting a bit worried about his health heading into the season.
Nash has been banged up since joining the Lakers and no according to ESPN Los Angeles, the team is wondering if he will be ready for the season. The report says that Nash has not been able to finish a complete practice and that the coaching staff is concerned about his averages of 3.5 points and 3.5 assists during the preseason. Nash will be a key player for the Lakers this season and obviously his age is a factor, but if he can remain healthy for the majority of the season, LA has the chance to at least make the playoffs as one of the lower seeds.
Pau Gasol spoke to reporters about Nash and said that he is an important part of the offense that the team needs and that he hopes to have him in the lineup as much as possible. Mike D'Antoni had issues running his offense last season and now Nash has the chance to step up once again, especially if Kobe Bryant can't start the year healthy. Nash did not get the chance to play much in the preseason game against the Jazz and now the biggest timetable date for him is Tuesday when the Lakers play the Clippers to open the season.
The Lakers are 3-4 this preseason, but that also includes the trip to China which is always tough and they are coming off of a win against the Jazz and they will play Utah next on the schedule before playing the Clippers to open the season.
From Gasol to ESPNLA: ""Steve hasn't been able to complete a practice yet, so that's the bigger issue," Gasol said of Nash, who is averaging just 3.5 points and 3.5 assists in 16.7 minutes per game in the preseason, sitting out one of the exhibition games altogether. "I'm a little bit concerned because I want him to be healthy, I want him to play. I want him to play and I want him to do well. I want him to help us. I hope that he can.""