NBA News: Steve Nash To Join Golden State Warriors In Player Development Role
Retired as an active player, former NBA MVP Steve Nash is finalizing an agreement to join the defending champion Golden State Warriors as a part-time player development consultant, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.
ESPN sources say two-time MVP Steve Nash finalizing agreement with Golden State to join Warriors as part-time player development consultant
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) September 15, 2015
Nash, 41, was set to play in his last season in 2014-2015, saying he would retire at the end of the year. However, back issues stemming from a leg break continued to plague him. Thus, Nash was forced to sit out the entire season, his last under contract to the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite not retiring on his own terms, the 19-year NBA veteran enjoyed one of the greatest careers in NBA history.
Starting with the Phoenix Suns in his first two seasons, the Canadian native showed immense shooting and passing abilities. However, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks after the 1997-1998 season. Paired with the legendary Dirk Nowitzki, the duo led the Mavericks to several winning seasons. But after six seasons and no championship in Dallas, Nash re-signed with the Suns prior to the 2004-2005 season.
Spending eight more seasons in Phoenix, Nash enjoyed arguably the most successful stretch of his career. He won the NBA MVP award in his first two seasons with Phoenix. Also, during his eight-year tenure after re-signing, Nash averaged double-digits in assists every season outside of 2008-2009. Once again, paired with big man Amar’e Stoudemire, Nash helped lead the Suns to several winnings seasons but never to an NBA championship.
In the twilight of his career, Nash chose to go to the Los Angeles Lakers as part of a sign-and-trade with the Suns. However, his age and injuries caught with him, as he only played in just 65 of a possible 246 games in three years with the Lakers, never capturing that elusive NBA championship ring.
Nash finished his career third on the all-time assists list with 10,335, 15th with 1,685 career three-point field goals made, and the best free-throw percentage in NBA history with a .904 percent, according to Basketball-Reference. He’s also an eight-time NBA all-star and won the two aforementioned NBA MVP awards.
In his new role, the legendary former point guard can likely provide a ton of help his wealth of knowledge. Considered one of the best passers in history, Nash can work exclusively with players on their passing skills. Also, the Warriors finished 9th in the NBA with a .768 percent at the free throw line last season, according to Sporting Charts. While that is not a bad ranking, Nash could help players with weaker abilities at the charity stripe, helping the team overall.
With reigning NBA MVP Stephen Curry leading the charge, the Warriors will have the best of both worlds at the point guard position under their roof. Under Nash’s part-time tutelage and Curry’s youth and ability on the court, the defending champions are setting themselves up for another successful season.
[Image by Photo by ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images]
