It’s always sad when a player decides to ‘play’ past their expiration date as often times their greatness is tainted by the recent memories we have of them struggling and/or sitting on the sideline.
That will likely hold true for Steve Nash, at least in the immediate future, as the two-time NBA MVP retired from basketball on Saturday.
Nash rose to stardom with the Dallas Mavericks alongside Dirk Nowitzki, though achieved his best success with the Phoenix Suns where he was awarded with two NBA MVP awards. He was then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, hoping to be a vital piece alongside Kobe Bryant, but injuries derailed Nash’s tenure in Hollywood.
Nobody can ever accuse Nash of not trying to play with the Lakers, but physically he just couldn’t do it.
Now Steve Nash’s retirement is official as the point guard posted the announcement himself on The Players Tribune.
“Im retiring.
I heard someone once say there comes a day when they tell us all that we can’t play anymore. We’re not good enough. Surplus to requirements. Too slow, maybe. When you’re a teenager with outsized dreams and a growing obsession, and someone tells you this ain’t gonna last forever, it’s scary. I never forgot it.”
Hopefully in due time, Steve Nash will be remembered for being a wizard with the basketball and one of the best true point guards we’ve seen this past generation rather than for his struggles late in his career.
I have a feeling he will.
Nash is said to have a standing front office job offer from the Toronto Raptors, though it’s not known if he’ll take it.
