Through it all, a picture of Nash as a model of professional positivity—happy and healthy and seemingly free of cynicism—has persisted.
Until you’re reminded that no one, not even Steve Nash, gets to this level without taking what’s his.
In a video interview with Grantland released early Thursday (via Ben Golliver of Sports Illustrated), Nash admitted not wanting to retire because he “wants the money.”
I’m not going to retire because I want the money. It’s honest. We want honest athletes, but at the same time, you’re going to have people out there saying ‘He’s so greedy. He’s made x amount of money and he has to take this last little bit.’ Yes, I do, have to take that last little bit. I’m sorry if that is frustrating to some but if they were in my shoes they would do exactly the same thing.
Fair enough. If this were, say, the Milwaukee Bucks—that is to say, relatively cash-strapped—it might be a little easier to lob invectives Nash’s way.
But these are the Los Angeles Lakers, a team that just forked over close to $50 million to Kobe Bryant, who won’t even see an NBA court again until next fall, per Bleacher Report’s Kevin Ding.
According to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times, Nash is set to join Kobe for an early summer vacation.
It’ll be interesting to see how the Lakers respond to Nash’s comments. As Ding pointed out last week, the Lakers do have the option of subjecting Nash to the seldom-used stretch provision, which allows teams to waive a player and pay their remaining salary over a period of three years.
Still, Ding says the Lakers&mda...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
