Los Angeles Lakers: Steve Nash-Carlos Boozer Combo Could Be Key
When the Los Angeles Lakers took the court for their preseason opener on Monday, the focus was rightfully on the return to the court by Kobe Bryant.
Jordan Hill grabbed a double-double, which was a storyline that definitely peaked interest for fans. Jordan Clarkson threw his name into the mix by scoring 14 points in 27 minutes of game action. Jeremy Lin dished 10 assists, and Julius Randle was called out for his conditioning.
For a preseason game there was a bunch of intrigue emerging from this contest.
The biggest piece of information that we may have received from this game? Steve Nash may actually be healthy (knocking on wood repeatedly here).
Nash played 20 minutes in a meaningless preseason game, and reportedly felt more free and healthy than he has since joining the Los Angeles Lakers. He also added that he won’t concede anything to the injuries that have plagued him nearly the entire time he has been a Laker.
However, what if Nash actually can play this season? Even if he plays a relatively meager 20 to 25 minutes per-game, his impact on the club could be massive.
The immediate dividends could come in concert with new addition Carlos Boozer in the form of a potentially devastating pick-and-roll attack.
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Those familiar with Steve Nash’s illustrious pro basketball career know that he was a dominant force running that play with a young Amar’e Stoudemire, and even more recently made Marcin Gortat an more efficient offensive weapon when the two were paired on the Phoenix Suns in the later years of Nash’s tenure with the club.
On the other side of the coin, Carlos Boozer’s arrow is seen on the decline by most who are around the league. His offensive numbers have dipped with time, and he was considered a marginal pick up by the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason.
However, Boozer’s best days were in Utah, running the pick-and-roll with a then budding star in Deron Williams. That combo was good enough to propel the Utah Jazz into Western Conference contention, including a run to the Western Conference Finals.
Nash, now 40 years old, and Boozer, who is 32 years of age, are no longer the players they were in their peak days; that is clear. To expect these two to rise up and decimate defenses to the level they used to is unrealistic, and would ultimately end in massive disappointment.
What does not change is that these two have done their best work running a play that could become a staple for this Los Angeles Lakers team. They both project to start the season running with the first unit. The opportunity will be there to make some noise by rekindling some of their old magic.
With Kobe Bryant looking right in his first preseason action, the team should not need to lean on such a combination to be offensively competent. Adding a pick-and-roll attack centered around two players that thrive in such a scenario could simply be another weapon in an offensive arsenal that should evolve as the season progresses.
Steve Nash may finally be healthy. Carlos Boozer may finally be in the right offensive situation.
Together they could rejuvenate their careers, and the Los Angeles Lakers’ playoff chances.