The Los Angeles Lakers season has been swirling down the drain, with injuries to Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and myriad other players are taking their toll. The Lakers received some good news today though, as three point guards are all practicing.
Steve Nash, Steve Blake, and Jordan Farmar are all back on the court, and even though they've been ruled out for tonight's game vs. the Charlotte Bobcats returns for all three are forthcoming.
"Tomorrow is definitely out, but next week I have extremely high hopes to play," Nash said Thursday. He was brought in to quarterback head coach Mike D'Antoni's system and help Bryant and Pau Gasol morph into it, mixing the high-octane attack with superstar talent. Since arriving in L.A. though, Nash has been beset by multiple injuries that severely limited both his availability and impact when on the court.
"This has been the hardest thing I've ever faced in my career," Nash said. "Ever since I broke my leg, nothing's been the same. Nothing's been easy. But I also look for challenges in life, so this is a great opportunity for me to learn about myself and try to fight through it and hopefully on the other side, I'll be a better person."
While a return seems in the offing, questions remain whether his slight, 40-year-old frame can withstand the rigors of NBA play anymore. He disagrees with the doubters.
"More contact, more unpredictable factors -- change of direction, playing against somebody -- those are all things that the nerve and the spine weren't able to handle two weeks ago."
It is unclear what the returns of these established guards means for breakout second-year point man Kendall Marshall. "It's kind of weird that they're all kind of coming back at the same time," Gasol said. "It's a weird coincidence, but I'm just happy to see guys being on the floor and with our three main point guards finally back, let's see where that kind of puts Kendall."
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