Byron Scott: “Nash Will Be Missed”
- Updated: October 26, 2014
Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott watches during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
After the announcement came that Steve Nash will miss this season due to a back injury, Los Angeles Lakers coach Byron Scott told ESPN he did not address the injury with the team.
In fact, the only time he talked about the injury was by announcing Ronnie Price as Nash’s replacement in Friday night’s preseason game. He also told ESPN that he has yet to speak with the two-time MVP.
“We didn’t bring it up in practice, and we haven’t talked about it at all,” Byron Scott said. “I think most of the guys who have been in the league for a while and are professionals know this is part of life in the NBA. You send out your well wishes and you move on. Obviously he’ll be missed. Unfortunately for me, I didn’t get a chance to coach him. He has always been one of my favorite people in the league because he’s such a professional and such a gentleman. I’m going to miss out on that opportunity, but just like everyone else, I’m wishing him all the best.”
“Obviously it hurts,” Byron Scott said. “I think we feel more for Steve than anybody because I saw how hard this kid worked out all summer long to be ready for the season. For him to be out hurts the team, because he’s obviously the best point guard that we have and one of the best that’s ever played the game. I know it hurts him because this is something he wants to do. He loves playing basketball. Like I said, I feel more for him than anything else.
“I got the sense that it was probably going to be like last year,” Byron Scott said. “This is something that’s going to be ongoing and we’re going to have to figure out which games he can play and which games he can’t. That was pretty much my sense, but I had no idea. I didn’t sense this whatsoever, him not playing at all and being out for the season.
“Just talking to him every day, I know he wanted to play. I know this is something that he’s going to have to deal with. When you talk about missing a season, that’s tough, especially when you’re a competitor like he is.”
Byron Scott wouldn’t get into the details of what went into Nash being ruled out for the season.
“I don’t get involved in that much. I just want to know if the guy can play or not. I might have stayed at a Holiday Inn last night, but I’m not a doctor,” he said.
Steve Nash’s also absence opens the door for Jeremy Lin:
“It’s a huge chance, a huge chance,” Scott said. “It’s obviously increases the chances for Ronnie as well. Both those guys are going to have big-time opportunities.
“We have two quality point guards. We’re probably going to have to look for another one as well, but right now I’m pretty happy with Ronnie. I think he’s played extremely well for us, and Jeremy is just coming back from an injury and in the last couple of games he’s getting back into it. I’m not concerned about it.”
“If Ronnie starts or Jeremy starts, both of them play well with the first unit,” Byron Scott said. “That’s not a defining factor. It’s all about who I feel gives me the best chance to win basketball games. Whoever I start is going to play the bulk of the minutes. He’s going to play 30 minutes or more. It’s really who I feel comfortable with, and to be honest with you, right now I feel comfortable with both of those guys.”
In regards as to when Byron Scott will speak with Nash, he had this to say.
“My experience is to give him time, because I know this is a tough situation and a tough realization to come to, that you can’t play this year and you’re going to try to work hard to get back,” Byron Scott said. “But I’ve always felt in situations like that when guys are making those types of decisions, you have to give them space, and that’s what I’m going to try to do.”
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