Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association dribbling the against the Washington Wizards (Photo credit: Wikipedia)Calling it “too good an opportunity to pass up,” Steve Nash talked about becoming the newest Laker, being recruited by Kobe Bryant and how his skill set might improve an already impressive core of players Thursday morning during a wide-ranging interview with Max Kellerman and Mychal Thompson on ESPN radio 710.
“Basketball-wise, it makes a lot of sense,” said Nash, who on Wednesday agreed to a three-year, $27-million deal with the Lakers as part of a trade in which they sent a bevvy of draft picks to the Phoenix Suns.
Nash acknowledged his surprise at the deal, which came about 10 days after the veteran point guard had said it would be hard for him to wear a Lakers uniform after having been a longtime rival of the franchise.
But the two-time NBA most valuable player said that the chance to be near his children, who live in Phoenix, while playing alongside Bryant and big men Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol swayed him after it became clear that the Suns had decided to go in a new direction with their roster.
“The bottom line is, my little boy and my two girls mean everything to me, and the opportunity to see them three or four times a month instead of three or four times a season is incredible and priceless,” Nash said, “so I’m sorry for those that I upset, but my kids come first.”
Nash said Bryant had called to recruit him, an important selling point. The players discussed how Nash could be the effective ballhandler the Lakers had lacked in recent years and ways in which he could incorporate more pick-and-roll plays into the Lakers’ offense.
“I think he also felt that we’re complementary leaders,” Nash said. “I’m more on the positive side, he’s more … cracks the whip.”
How would Nash make the adjustment to playing alongside someone who likes to have the ball in his hands a lot?
“Kobe is still one of the all-time great players in this game himself,” Nash said. “I hope he does have the ball in his hands a lot. At the same time, I think it takes pressure off him if someone else can handle the ball and get him the ball in spots, maybe get him a few more easy baskets and at the same time maybe create offense for other guys so he’s not stuck so often having to take on one or two defenders.
“Perhaps we can all make each other better because of our different skills. Maybe I can space the floor for those big guys, maybe that will create opportunities for me on pick-and-rolls because of their length and ability to finish at the rim. That combination will hopefully make it a little easier for Kobe as well.”
Nash, 38, acknowledged that he was “dying” to win a championship after falling short during his 16 seasons with Phoenix and Dallas. But before he can help the Lakers get back to the NBA Finals, he’ll have to find a jersey number, since his No. 13 was worn by Hall-of-Famer Wilt Chamberlain and has been retired.
“Actually, with all the Lakers jerseys retired,” Nash said, “I don’t know what’s left. So we’ll figure it out.”
Nash was guarded when asked about the Lakers’ efforts to trade for Orlando center Dwight Howard, saying he was happy to play alongside Bynum and Gasol.
“It’s thrilling for any point guard to get a chance to play with the two big men the Lakers have,” Nash said.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-steve-nash-radio-interview-20120705,0,3310158.story
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