Los Angeles Lakers: Time To Move On From Steve Nash

After the Los Angeles Lakers first preseason contest, I will admit I had a few servings of the Kool-Aid; it was easy.

Two years out from serious injury, finally pulling himself together in terms of health, and ready to contribute this season, Steve Nash had looked actually quite good in the first game. He said he felt good after, and even though he would sit out the second game as a precaution, it looked as though he would actually move forward with a clean bill of health.

Then the third game came and went, reports of Nash experiencing discomfort surfaced, and while I fully expected there to be some bumps in the road, at least he was still playing. All the Lakers need from this guy is a solid 20 minutes a game. He’s dealt with back issues his entire career, and surely this was more related to that than the plague of injuries he’s suffered since joining the team … right?

Then on Wednesday, Steve Nash injured his back carrying his luggage. He missed practice for the third straight day. And it’s time to stop factoring the 40-year old into the team’s plans for this season.

If the writing was not blatantly already on the wall, Jeremy Lin is going to play the most minutes at point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. Ronnie Price has looked good in training camp, and ultimately is more worth a roster spot than whatever is left of a Steve Nash that is beyond repair at this point.

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Apr 4, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash (10) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center. The Mavericks defeated the Lakers 107-95. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

All offseason, I have been keen on the idea of Nash running the point for the second unit. Even that is out the window at this point.

Projecting a 41-game season, half the games for the year, is a overzealous prediction for the two-time former league MVP. There is little point of try to integrate him into the plans, only for him to fall out of the lineup for weeks on end, miss back-to-backs, and tease us with moments where he looks like a more than serviceable, healthy point guard.

As quick as the feel good, optimistic hype started it came to a screeching halt when it comes to Steve Nash’s prospects this season. Hell, I even wrote an article last week talking about the potential for a very effective tandem with Carlos Boozer.

Just as fast, the tide has turned the opposite direction. Preseason is nearing its midway point and we are already talking about Nash’s injury issues, and how to replace him.

Going forward, Jeremy Lin should understand that it is his job to lose. Ronnie Price should make the team as his backup, and Jordan Clarkson can be eased in to play the position for extra depth.

This unit should do fine, and at the very least be reliable, as the Los Angeles Lakers try to avoid another lost season.

As for Nash? It really does not matter what Mitch Kupchak decides to do with him at this point.

The smartest move would be to keep him, let him rehab and overcome his latest setbacks, and try to deal his massive expiring deal for some type of asset if possible. However, if Mitch wanted to waive him, how could you object?

Since his arrival, Nash has been an unreliable disappointment. He is one of the greatest passers and players I have seen in my lifetime, but at this point he is not worth the patience and time it takes to deal with one setback after another.

The biggest value he has left is that of his contract, and actually could rob players of minutes that actually can contribute to the team on a consistent basis.

There needs to be a collective movement to be done leaning on Steve Nash.

He’s running out of chances, and I’m out of Kool-Aid.

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