Los Angeles Lakers formally introduce Steve Nash in a press conference – NBA News
The Los Angeles Lakers formally introduced newly signed point guard Steve Nash at a press conference here on Wednesday.
Nash agreed to a sign and trade deal between the Lakers and the Phoenix Suns last week, in the hopes of winning an NBA championship before he retires.
“If you look at the opportunity that we have with the players on this roster and the organization's commitment to winning, this is going to be a really exciting chapter of my career. I've always wanted to win, I've always competed
the best I can to try to win,” said Nash at the conference.
The Lakers and the Suns have had a rivalry filled past and have come head to head on numerous occasions in the playoffs. Bryant and the Lakers spoilt Nash’s chances of an NBA title when they defeated the Suns in the 2010 Western
Conference Finals on their way to an NBA title. Phoenix, on the other hand, ousted the Lakers from the playoffs in the 2006 and 2007 postseason.
But the rivalry between Bryant and Nash is history as both players look forward to playing on the same team and winning one more championship. Bryant called Nash on July 2nd, two days before the Lakers agreed to sign
Nash, and talked to him about the future and how both players could help the Lakers win another title.
"We didn't talk about the past at all. We only talked about moving forward and how he felt about this, how this could work and how we can win a championship and do we see eye to eye on that. That's all that really matters,” said
Nash regarding the conversation with Bryant.
The celebrated one guard was at the top of the wish list of the Toronto Raptors and the New York Knicks when free agency began, but was sold to the idea of becoming a Laker due to the fact that Los Angeles was closer to Phoenix,
where his family and three children reside.
Nash addition is expected to make a drastic improvement. He is definitely going to take some pressure off Kobe Bryant in terms of ball handling and will help him find open shots. He is also looking forward to playing pick and roll
with the Lakers duo of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.
Nash is signed to a three year deal worth $27 million, which will take him into his 40’s by the time his contract expires. He will wear the #10 jersey in his new home, where he looks to accomplish the one goal that has eluded him
throughout his illustrious career in the NBA.
"I definitely could live with myself if it never happened, but I would also be the life of the party if we won [it all]. That's what this is all about,” said Nash.
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