The point guard undergoes his first full-contact practice on Thursday, Sets Christmas as his possible return date…..
When the Lakers roped in Steve Nash in a sign and trade with Phoenix Suns this summer, it was supposed to spell the start of a new era in Los Angeles. That era never kicked off though.
Nash took part in all the pre-season games for the Lakers, but suffered a non displaced fracture in his left knee on Oct.31. He has been on the sidelines ever since, witnessing the Lakers pass through one of the most disastrous passage in the recent franchise history.
On Thursday though, the point guard went through his first full-contact practice without any setbacks. The session has confirmed a comeback in the near future and now it’s just the matter of when the player and the Lakers’ coaching staff deem it safe enough to return. There were reports earlier in the week that Nash might make a return as early as Saturday in the game against the Golden State Warriors, but on Thursday, the guard branded a Christmas return as more realistic;
"There's no plan. I just want to get through today, see how I feel in the morning," Nash said. "If I'm able to practice (Friday), see how I feel Saturday, we'll just see how it goes. But I think Christmas is probably the most realistic."
Nash’s inclination to make a return as late as possible has a lot to do with a relapse. If Steve aggravates the injury, it will practically put the Lakers on the back foot, and the side may even struggle to find a playoff spot in the heavily loaded Western Conference;
"I think the tendency is to rush back, but you definitely have to be careful," he said. "I don't want to rush back for two games and then be out for another extended period of time."
The return of Nash will also quash the recent rumours regarding the acquisition of free agent combo guard Delonte West to boost the struggling back court of the Lakers, which has also misses reserve point guard Steve Blake since early November.
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