Can Steve Nash Revive His Reputation as a Top-10 Point Guard in the NBA?

If the Los Angeles Lakers hope to qualify for the 2014 NBA postseason, point guard Steve Nash must play like he is still one of the top 10 lead guards in the league. 

Does anyone want to place some bets?

It's easy to get caught up in the player Nash used to be in Phoenix, but reality has a way of killing memories, and in the Lakers' case, expectations.

The truth is that Nash will start the 2013-14 campaign as a 40-year-old point guard coming off a season ravaged by injuries, and it doesn't help that the position Nash mans just happens to be the deepest in the NBA when it comes to elite talent.

Really, Nash as a top-10 point guard next season? 

Nash is no more than the third-best point guard in his own division, behind Chris Paul and Stephen Curry, and in the conference would you place him above Tony Parker, Russell Westbrook, and maybe even the Memphis Grizzlies' Mike Conley or the Minnesota Timberwolves' Ricky Rubio?

And that's just the West.

Is Nash better than Rajon Rondo, Deron Williams, Kyrie Irving or John Wall in the East?

Good health may help Nash improve on the lowest assist average of his career since the 1999-00 season, but age also has a way of highlighting the flaws in a player's game, which means that Nash's defense could be even worse.



Is that possible?

Nash has never been known for his defensive acumen, and in Phoenix the Suns' best defense was usually racing the ball up the court after an opponent's score in an attempt to catch the defense off guard.

If the Lakers hope to make the playoffs, defense will have to play a pivotal role at some point, but where does Nash fit into that theory?

Some people may suggest hiding Nash and letting the Lakers' best perimeter defender guard the opposing team's point guard, but that doesn't change the fact that Nash will have to gua...

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