Steve Nash: Traveling man?
Carry on wayward point guard.
Or something like that.
The back-and-forth between the Suns’ Steve Nash and Lakers Coach Phil Jackson has been one of the more amusing subplots in the seemingly endless lead-in to the Western Conference finals, which start, mercifully, on Monday at Staples Center.
(Of note, Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum did not practice on Sunday, but Bryant did do some shooting before the full-on scrimmage.)
Back to Jackson and Nash. A refresher: On Friday, Jackson was asked if it was difficult in practice to simulate playing against Nash.
“Yeah, because you can’t carry the ball like he does in practice,” Jackson said. “Can’t pick that ball up and run with it.”
The Lakers’ Pau Gasol had an interesting response when asked if he agreed with Jackson.
“Well, a lot of players kind of carry the ball,” Gasol said on Sunday. “They just hold it a lot. If all the carries were called, if all the traveling were called … there would be more long boring ... more of a game.”
Idle thought: No, we do not need those TNT games to get any LONGER.
Gasol added of Nash: “I don’t think he carries the ball that excessively or as noticeable as other players do.”
Another idle thought: The Lakers’ practice HQ happens to be on Nash Street in El Segundo. Hmmm ... street already named after Steve Nash and they haven’t played a game yet.
--Lisa Dillman
Photo: Suns point guard Steve Nash protects the ball from Spurs guard George Hill during their series last week. Credit: Eric Gay / Associated Press
The NBA just announced Phil Jackson and Steve Nash were each fined $25,000. Jackson for his questioning the officials missing Nash’s traveling and Nash for lying, saying,
“We have the best officials in the world."
Posted by: Fatty | May 15, 2010 at 03:58 PM
Posted by: Fatty | May 16, 2010 at 05:35 PM
Hey, Joey Buss :
Be a good little boy and run down to the 99 Cent Only store.
Once there, pick up lots of Green & White balloons to put up in the Staples Center rafters!
The Celtics will want to celebrate #18 in style next month!
Posted by: RED`S LOVE CHILD | May 16, 2010 at 06:08 PM
wow, i'm so successful as a comment poster that random people attack me personally. I hope i don't get complacent and lazy by this and stop being interesting.
Posted by: phred | May 16, 2010 at 06:16 PM
* I hope this doesn't make me lazy and complacent, or something like that. see, it has already ruined my flawlessly command of the language english.
Posted by: phred | May 16, 2010 at 06:19 PM
RED`S LOVE CHILD,
Don't Worry! Kobe Will Have Plenty of Honorary "Red Auerbach" Cigars for Everyone When the Lakers Celebrate #16 on the Keltic TD Garden Floor!!!
Go Lakers!!! One, Two, Three, DOMINATE!!!!
Posted by: MarcB | May 16, 2010 at 06:43 PM
With every Celtic playoff victory the Green Asterisk on the Lakers phony 2009 title gets larger and Greener, larger and Greener...................
Posted by: Abe Frohman | May 16, 2010 at 06:59 PM
Oh Red, you card, you.
Posted by: dave m | May 16, 2010 at 06:59 PM
Was I transported back in 2006? I see posts by Butler and Mike T..shrug
Posted by: kobe24+ | May 16, 2010 at 07:03 PM
Red and 131,
I know it is something to be proud of after a lazy season. You won your first game in the ECF. However, the ending was weak at measly 4 pts. after leading by as much as 20 pts. As Stan Van Gundy said: Magic were down by 20 but able to keep it competitive in the end. Having said that, it's good to be confident after a victory but this series is long, it could go for 7 games. I'm cheering for the Celtics and hopefull, we'll make it also to the Finals. It would be great to settle the Championship this season just like the good old days. Well, for this decade we're on our way to 5th and you're just going for 2nd. Like it or not, Lakers are the team of this decade.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 16, 2010 at 07:10 PM
How long it will take until we stop fueling the trolls? Let them post and they will be gone, just don't reply to them.
It looks VERY good for us. No Mavs, no Denver, no Cavs...
Let's just concentrate on the task ahead and do our homework.
Cheers.
Posted by: Magic Phil | May 16, 2010 at 07:23 PM
Oh, btw PJ, stop the pick-n-roll that Nash and Amare run all the time and we'll be fine.
Posted by: Magic Phil | May 16, 2010 at 07:25 PM
Magic Phil - I really agree with your assessment. Those were the three teams I thought would be the most difficult to get by....and they're gone.
Such is the luck of the playoffs.
The road is still tough, very tough. But as the famous Lakers philosopher said many years ago,.....
"When the going gets tough, the tough (Lakers) get going (and win a Title)"
- some Lakers guy, I don't remember his name
Hey, now that we are friends, can I call you, Magic PJ for short?
Posted by: Fatty | May 16, 2010 at 07:35 PM
Red and 131,
I know it is something to be proud of after a lazy season. You won your first game in the ECF. However, the ending was weak at measly 4 pts. after leading by as much as 20 pts. As Stan Van Gundy said: Magic were down by 20 but able to keep it competitive in the end. Having said that, it's good to be confident after a victory but this series is long, it could go for 7 games. I'm cheering for the Celtics and hopefull, we'll make it also to the Finals. It would be great to settle the Championship this season just like the good old days. Well, for this decade we're on our way to 5th and you're just going for 2nd. Like it or not, Lakers are the team of this decade.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 16, 2010 at 07:10 PM
Eddie-
I dont recall you giving back your two "measly" 1pt victories vs Oklahoma and Utah. Not to mention your "measly" 2 or 3pt game 2 home victory vs Oklahoma. Thats 3 wins by the same "measly" total margin of victory we beat Orlando.
Posted by: 131-92 | May 16, 2010 at 07:58 PM
Could someone please tell me why these "Celtics" fans are on the LOS ANGELES TIMES and on a LAKERS BLOG!!! Can't wait for Finals just to pay them back for 2008 and show them who the real champions are.
Posted by: Kfreud | May 16, 2010 at 08:11 PM
Could someone please tell me why these "Celtics" fans are on the LOS ANGELES TIMES and on a LAKERS BLOG!!! Can't wait for Finals just to pay them back for 2008 and show them who the real champions are.
Posted by: Kfreud | May 16, 2010 at 08:11 PM
You shoulda done it in '08 and then you wouldnt have to wait!
Posted by: 131-92 | May 16, 2010 at 08:19 PM
I think he carries it, but so does every guard with crossover dribble.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0janfcZ8LUw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlsDPN-Tjks
Posted by: Mark G | May 16, 2010 at 09:02 PM
NASH rules! Don't tell me y'all ain't looking forward to this series. Anyone can appreciate a short white guy who can win a game among giants.
Posted by: BUTLER | May 16, 2010 at 09:06 PM
Steve Nash travels and carries the ball, but is still a phenomenal player.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 17, 2010 at 12:25 AM
He doesn't carry it any more than anyone else. Jackson must be scared to resort to such underhanded psychological tactics. If the Suns steal a game in LA, they'll be the ones getting ready for Boston, mark my words
Posted by: Rakeback | May 17, 2010 at 06:18 AM
let the WCF begin. go lakers!!!
Posted by: apujac | May 17, 2010 at 07:15 AM
Didn't the Smug Master win six rings in large part to MJ's walking, traveling, extra-stepping and carrying the ball? The NBA even admitted as much.
Posted by: Gmed | May 17, 2010 at 04:00 PM