It didn’t come suddenly. It didn’t happen in a preseason game, and there was no horrific injury to watch and re-watch on YouTube or Twitter. No, it was the slow, grinding pursuit of Father Time that wore Steve Nash down.
As first reported by Bleacher Report’s Kevin Ding, Nash will miss the entire 2014-15 season due to recurring nerve damage in his back, the same injury that limited him to 15 games last season. But this story isn’t just upsetting for Los Angeles Lakers fans who are pissed about paying a 40-year-old $9.7 million to sit on the bench this year; it’s depressing because it more than likely signals the end of a Hall of Fame career.
Nash is still under contract with the Lakers for one more season, so a retirement announcement probably isn’t forthcoming unless he’s willing to forfeit nearly $10 million just to appease frustrated fans. But by missing this season, which he had already proclaimed as his final go-round, Nash may have already played his final NBA game. In the event that sad statement becomes reality over the course of the next year, it’s time to pay our respects and take a look back on his magnificent 18-year career.
The Steve Nash Suns changed the NBA forever. I will miss watching him play basketball.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) October 24, 2014