Breaking Down How Steve Nash’s Absence Impacts Mike D’Antoni’s Offense

The Los Angeles Lakers haven't looked particularly potent on offense without Kobe Bryant. That shouldn't be too surprising, as the Mamba has always been the centerpiece of that team's point-scoring abilities. 

But now Steve Nash is out, and things get even worse without the Canadian floor general in the lineup.

According to Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times, Nash is out for at least two weeks while dealing with a complicated injury: "Suffering from nerve root irritation, a problem that began when he broke his leg a year ago in the second game of the season, Nash's efforts will now be focused on getting healthy enough to fulfill his contract with the Lakers."

The injury was especially noticeable against the Minnesota Timberwolves, when Nash was thoroughly outperformed by Ricky Rubio before exiting with a limp. It was clear that he just didn't have it that day, as his back was seriously acting up. 

Now it's going to be at least two weeks before a Lakers team already starved for upper-level talent gets Nash back. Again, "at least."

With that in mind, let's take a look at how Nash's absence will affect Mike D'Antoni's offense. 

 

The Beginning of the End



It's not looking good. 

Nash has been less than effective when he's on the court, and everything points toward him sitting out for an extended portion of the 2013-14 campaign. This could very well be the beginning of the end, and while it pains me to say it, I wouldn't be at all shocked to see him retire after playing only a handful more games for the Lakers. 

Pincus wrote the following about medical retirement emerging as a possibility: 

Should the Lakers' back specialist, Dr. Robert Watkins, determine that any additional effort by Nash to play would constitute a medically unacceptable risk, the veteran point guard may end his c...