Can Steve Nash Still Help the Lakers?

When the Los Angeles Lakers swung for the fences and acquired Steve Nash from the Phoenix Suns two years ago, it seemed as if they had finally found the point guard who would put them back into the championship picture.

Apr 1, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Robin Lopez (42) guards Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash (10) during the second half of the game at Staples Center. Trail Blazers won 124-112. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

However, Nash has been plagued by a seemingly never-ending string of injuries. In his first season with the Lakers, Nash broke his leg in the second game. Since suffering the injury, Nash has not been able to consistently stay on the basketball court. It seems as if the Steve Nash Experiment has failed. He has spent the majority of his time in Los Angeles in the training room.

Steve Nash has openly admitted that this is probably his last season. Will the Hall of Famer be defined by his inability to stay on the court during his campaign in Los Angeles? Or will Nash use whatever is left in his tank for a few more vintage Steve Nash performances?

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It seems like an eternity ago, but before Nash came to Los Angeles he was an All-Star. It was only three years ago, but Nash is now on the wrong side of 40. His legs have racked up a lot of miles. The last two years have physically  been a major challenge. Will he be able to contribute over the course of an 82-game season and be a stabilizing influence on a Lakers team filled with question marks?

Nash is only under contract for this upcoming season. He plans on playing and giving the Lakers whatever he can. The Lakers are equally invested in Nash. Yes, they made a trade to acquire Jeremy Lin from Houston and drafted Jordan Clarkson in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft. However, Byron Scott has already penciled in Nash as the starting point guard for the regular season.

Apr 8, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash (10) acknowledges the crowd after passing Mark Jackson (not pictured) to move into third on the all-time NBA assist list in the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

We will see what Nash is able to do this season. There have been rave reviews about Nash coming out of Lakers training camp. But, the same thing was said last year and Nash ended up hurting himself shortly thereafter. It would be nice to see Nash finally contribute as a Laker. He will likely be on a minutes restriction and be held out of back-to-back games. Even if he only played 20-24 minutes a night, Nash could still offer a lot. Assuming Nash is healthy all season, there will still be plenty of minutes for Lin and Clarkson.

As a fan of the NBA and basketball in general, I would love to see Steve Nash finish his career on a happy note. His time in Los Angeles has been a struggle. It would be nice to see one of the best point guards in NBA history ride off into the sunset in purple and gold.