Just ask the 40-year-old Steve Nash.
Championships have long been used to measure collective and individual NBA greatness. They represent, by definition, the ultimate form of distinction, and the impact they have on player and team legacies is enormous.
Over time, they have diminished in significance to the extent that they're not deathblows to reputations. Advanced analytics—along with other forms of commendations—have allowed the basketball world at large to view and evaluate players and teams through more expansive scopes.
And yet championship clout is still treasured more than any other accomplishment.
LeBron James won't be given a fully fair shake against Michael Jordan if he doesn't match his championship count. Tim Duncan needed that fifth ring to be routinely recognized as his generation's greatest star. Certain championship purists will still take Bill Russell over Jordan.
Think of the way ringless present-day stars are looked at as well. Neither Kevin Durant nor Chris Paul will be remembered as fondly if their careers end without hardware. Sustained production, scoring titles and MVP awards still only go so far.
Hence the importance of Nash's last hurrah.
Ringless Ending
Dogged by injuries, and with only one year left on his contract, the Los Angeles Lakers point guard is aware that he's swiftly approaching the end.
"I think this is my last season," he said of next year during an interview with Sport TV, per SB Nation. "But I still love to play, practice and work on my game. I'm going to spend hopefully many many years living this life without basketball. It'll be nice to play one more year."
When Nash hangs up his jersey for good next spring after 19 years of service, he'll leave a dime-dropping legend and a former MVP who never p...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
