The jury is out on whether the fabulous career of Victoria鈥檚 favourite NBA son, Steve Nash, has come to a halt.
But one of his biggest supporters and former coach at St. Michael鈥檚 University School, Ian Hyde-Lay, believes the 40-year-old still has some life in him.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think so, no,鈥� Hyde-Lay said when asked if his former star guard, who led SMUS to its provincial title back in 1991-92, would retire. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 a tricky situation. I know he鈥檚 working hard at a rehab.鈥�
It was announced Monday that Nash would likely not see the floor again this season for the Los Angeles Lakers as he recovers from recurring nerve damage in his back. The former two-time NBA most valuable player does still have a year remaining on his existing contract.
鈥淔or the Lakers, they鈥檙e not making the playoffs, so they鈥檙e auditioning all their young guys,鈥� said Hyde-Lay, who last spoke to Nash about a month ago when he was rehabilitating the inury the first time around. 鈥淭hey only have a few on contract so they need to figure out who they need to bring back.
鈥淚 think he鈥檚 planning to continue,鈥� Hyde-Lay added as opinion. 鈥淲hether he plays again this year; it may be that he doesn鈥檛. But I read an article on ESPN where he states, he鈥檚 not uprooting the family again. If he plays again next year, it will be in L.A.鈥�
There is a chance, however, under the collective bargaining agreement, where the Lakers could waive Nash through a stretch provision before the start of the next training camp. In that instance, one-third of his $9.7 million salary owed to him would be counted against the salary cap for the next three years.
鈥淚 think he鈥檚 in a position where he can actually play,鈥� said Hyde-Lay. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a question of whether he can sustain the grind three or four times a week. If he had to play one game tomorrow, I think he could play. Sustaining it, with the current nerve issue, is the problem.
鈥淏ut I still firmly believe there will be a good, closing chapter to his career,鈥� offered Hyde-Lay, who begins quest of a double-A B.C. championship Wednesday with SMUS at the double-A B.C. senior boy's championship in Langley.
