Larry Brown Sports

Steve Nash played through a number of frustrating seasons with the Phoenix Suns, but he rarely ever said much about it. Nash has always been one of the more quiet players in the league, so when he says something that can be construed as a complaint about a teammate it’s fairly notable.

Nash and Dwight Howard, the Los Angeles Lakers’ two biggest offseason acquisitions, have not been able to build any type of chemistry this season. Both have battled injuries which hasn’t helped their growth, but the frustration is obvious. Nash confirmed that it exists over the weekend.

“We’d like to get him in the pick and roll more,” Nash said Sunday, via the Orange County Register. “I think that’s how he was really good in Orlando. He’d pick and he’d dive and they’d swing and put it in to him, so he could get deeper catches and the help side has a more difficult time coming to him.

“I don’t know. It’s been difficult really to get him into that game – running into pick and rolls, diving hard, looking for the ball. We really haven’t found that rhythm from him yet.”

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Gross gross gross gross gross gross. Of course the only thing more gross than Metta World Peace using the same towel for his face that Steve Nash used to wipe his armpits is the Lakers’ record these days, but that’s besides the point. I’m guessing this isn’t what Dwight Howard had in mind when he said the Lakers needed to develop more chemistry.

H/T Busted Coverage

The Los Angeles Lakers have improved since their horrendous start to the month of December, but they still do not look like the championship contender most experts expected them to be before the season began. Steve Nash has averaged almost 10 assists per game and his return from injury has helped, but L.A. has still played inconsistently both on offense and defense.

The Lakers lost to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, once again dropping their record (15-16) below .500. After the game, Nash said a lack of chemistry has been the main issue.

“We’re struggling to make the kind of connectivity it takes to make a team a team,” he said, via the L.A. Times. “We look like a bunch of guys trying to learn each other.”

As a team, the Lakers shot 39.4% from the field in the 103-99 loss to Philly. Shooting has been an issue, but that could stem from a lack of chemistry. Guys are still getting used to one another, and it would stand to reason that Nash needs a little more time to know when and where his teammates like the ball.

While L.A. has been nothing shy of uninspiring all season long, it’s important to remember that the Miami Heat had similar struggles during the regular season when LeBron James and Chris Bosh first joined Dwyane Wade. Miami went on to reach the NBA Finals that season and win the title the following year.

Anytime you piece together a team of superstars, there are bound to be growing pains. When some of those pieces are well into their 30s, it can take even longer to grow. Should Lakers fans be nervous? I would be, but there’s no need to hit the panic button just yet.

We all know Steve Nash agreed to join the Lakers via a sign-and-trade deal last summer to give himself a shot at capturing his first NBA title. What may come as somewhat of a surprise is how badly he supposedly wanted to play with Pau Gasol. While I’m sure the prospect of playing alongside future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant was exciting, Nash was reportedly given a guarantee Gasol would not be traded.

“Ignore any and all trade talk about Pau Gasol because the Lakers landed Steve Nash by promising him he would get to play with Gasol,” a source reportedly told Comcast’s Ric Bucher. “Nash made it a prerequisite for passing on offers from Toronto and the Knicks that Pau would be around.

“Conceivably, once Nash gets back and actually plays with Gasol, the Lakers could continue to struggle and Nash re-thinks his position. But as of right now, one of the enticements that brought Nash to LA was the big Spaniard and the organization would have much bigger problems than they already have if they backtracked on their promise to keep Gasol in the fold.”

This type of handshake agreement is not unheard of. When Chris Paul agreed to go to the Los Angeles Clippers, he was reportedly given a guarantee that the team would retain restricted free agent DeAndre Jordan, and they held up their end of the deal.

While it would certainly be in the best interest of the Lakers to keep their 38-year-old point guard happy if they want to stop pooping their big boy pants, I doubt they would turn down an enticing offer for Gasol simply to keep their word — especially if the team continues to struggle. Doing what is best in the long-term interest of the team is always the priority.

There are several reasons Steve Nash was pleased to go to the Los Angeles Lakers in a sign-and-trade deal this past offseason, the most obvious of which is a chance to win his first NBA championship. In addition to the benefits that come with joining a talented roster, Nash also said he was looking forward to being closer to his three children. Then how do you explain this?

According to TMZ, Nash is “waging a legal war” in an attempt to prevent his ex-wife, Alejandra, from moving the former couple’s three children from Arizona to L.A. It is believed that a gag order is in place that prevents anyone from talking about the case, but TMZ also noted that Nash would have to pay significantly more in child support if his children live in California than he would with them living in Arizona.

“I can’t comment on the information you attribute to sources connected with TMZ,” well-known divorce lawyer Lance Spiegel, who was recently hired by Alejandra, said. “I confirm that I have been retained by Alejandra, that I cannot comment because of the reasons described and that Alejandra is not available for comment.”

Clearly, something doesn’t add up. It wouldn’t be fair to speculate about the reasons why Nash is reportedly trying to stop his children from being closer to him, so we’ll just have to wait and see if more details emerge. The one piece of advice we can give the Lakers point guard: Don’t show up to court dressed like this if you plan on getting your way.

Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash have only played two NBA games together with the Los Angeles Lakers, but Kobe is already on a nickname basis with his new 38-year-old teammate. We may not understand the origin of the nickname, but Kobe — or someone else– has given it to Nash nonetheless.

According to the L.A. Times, Kobe talked about how he has basically been running the point for the Lakers with Nash still battling a leg injury. That’s why he’s looking forward to Gatsby’s return. Yes, Gatsby.

“I’m not working too hard, to be honest with you,” Bryant explained. “The shots that I made were all jumpers. It doesn’t take much energy to knock those jumpers down,” he said. “Bringing the ball up and having me kind of initiate the offense and score and stuff like that, it’s making me work a little more than I will when Gatsby gets back.

“When Gatsby gets back, I don’t have to do that. The game’s going to become even more easy for me.”

Why? We don’t know. I suppose Nash looks somewhat similar to the actor (Robert Redford, pictured above) who played Jay Gatsby in the 1974 film “The Great Gatsby.” Nash’s new haircut is also very similar to the one Redford had in the film. Leonardo DiCaprio is playing Gatsby in the 2013 edition of the film, but I’m not seeing that resemblance. In any event, I like it and I’m probably going to use it.

Chest bump to J.E. Skeets via Pro Basketball Talk

Steve Nash showed up for his first game as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers wearing the outfit you see above. Pink sweater, navy blue bow tie with pink spots, and manbag in hand. That is just not a good look, Steve.

Now just in case you’re going to tell me it’s a Phoenix Suns thing … take one look at Kobe:

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