He'll be hosting the Steve Nash Foundation Showdown, an 8-on-8 soccer event featuring some of the biggest names in the hoops and fútbol worlds. Two separate matches will be held this summer, the first in New York on June 26 and the second in Los Angeles on July 14, via Laken Litman of USA Today.
While the two-time MVP winner is keeping quiet about the rosters for the seventh annual showdown, a glance at the players from past events suggests it will be quite the star-studded affair. Hoops greats Tony Parker, Grant Hill, Brandon Jennings, Baron Davis, Elton Brand and Chris Bosh and soccer stars Thierry Henry, Claudio Reyna, Robbie Rogers and Salomon Kalou are among the players Nash has welcomed to the pitch in previous years.
Nash holds the free event at regular parks to benefit underprivileged children affected by abuse, neglect, poverty or illness. He said that it's a fun way to link some of his favorite pastimes.
"This brings together three of my biggest passions," he said during a conference call. "Helping children through my foundation, basketball and soccer is the highlight of summer."
It's always entertaining to imagine if certain athletes had taken up a different sport (maybe Bo Jackson's to blame for that trend), but don't plan on being surprised by Nash's soccer style if you're fortunate enough to attend one of these matches.
“I love to pass and be a playmaker, but I’m not afraid to shoot when I get the opportunity," he said.
Those lingering injuries that plagued his first year with the Purple and Gold apparently won't be impacting his play on the pitch at all. He said he's good to go for both matches and feels he'll be "100 percent" for next season.
That might be a little boost of optimism for Lakers Nation (at least as good as...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
