Steve Nash is playing hurt and wearing down

[YFZblu]

Had to post a thread on this, considering how little it’s being talked about. If the Mods see a more suitable spot for this post, make it so! Moving on…

Consider how Steve Nash began the season:

October/November (15 games)

-101-206 (49%) from the field
-16-45 (36%) from three point range
-18.8 ppg
-9.6 apg

December and January (29 games)

-166-300 (55.3%) from the field <---- [Sidenote: Steve Nash is a God. That's ridiculous.]
-34-77 (44.1%) from three point range
-16 ppg
-11.8 apg

Post All-Star Break (8 games)

-FG%: 36%
-3-PT FG%: 15%
-Steve Nash has only connected on three of his last 20 three point attempts
-Since the All-Star break, Nash is taking 9.6 shots per game

My biggest concern though isn’t the low shot attempts (he IS a passing PG, after all), it's his aggressiveness in creating those shots for himself. He has clearly been avoiding shooting lately, and only shoots if he gets stuck. A perfectly healthy Steve Nash is arguably the best offensive player in the NBA, all things considered. The perfect balance of shooting, scoring efficiency, and play making/passing.

Hurt Steve Nash is still really really good offensively, but...

1. He goes long stretches without recording a single shot attempt--Even when he's wide open. Of the shots he does take, many of them are forced because he gets himself into a tight situation where he didn’t plan on shooting, but ended up taking a shot out of necessity.

2. Because he's not shooting, teams start to collapse on the 'roller' when Nash penetrates, often times leading to a turnover in traffic or a difficult shot for a teammate who is now receiving more attention since the threat of Nash's shot has dissolved.

3. I fully understand that I'm providing you all with very rudimentary information. FG% isn't exactly the most telling statistic in the world. But IMO, that's what makes this situation so critical--It's easy to see and if one tracks his progress throughout the season, it's blatantly apparent that something isn't right with Stevie.


Despite his ailments Steve Nash is still able to synthesize seriously efficient offense for the team, which is why I think his injuries receive such little attention and why the Suns are still winning games. Hopefully Steve can regain his health and balance again in time for a playoff birth--But make no mistake, Steve Nash is hurting right now.

[KLEON]

I'm sure most of the people here are not worried about Nash

[irish22022]

he's played hurt plenty of times. thats what stars do. if it doesnt improve you'll see his minutes shrink, but he wont sit.

[YFZblu]

he's played hurt plenty of times. thats what stars do. if it doesnt improve you'll see his minutes shrink, but he wont sit.

Yes, he's been playing hurt virtually his entire second career in Phoenix. What's different this time? He's a 37 year old man with no real scheduling break in sight. I'm pretty sure Nash made mention of a pelvic injury on his Twitter page, however I don't have Twitter access at the moment to verify.

Do you really see the team "shrinking" his minutes if the Suns are on the cusp of a playoff birth at the end of the season? Reducing the role of one's best player isn't exactly the best way to win basketball games.

[lilfishi22]

I am a bit worried. He's played through injuries before but he is 37 and you have to keep an eye on him, especially his minutes.

[DirtyDez]

Been worried for years yet he's still a top PG. He needs a few games off like we've done some over the past couple years but the race is too tight.

[gino_giode]

Gentry needs to stop with these platoon type 5-man substitutions. More often than not they start giving back a lead which forces Nash to come back in.

Just play one of Vince or Grant and initiate through them for a bit

[albasuna]

Those 30 games in Dec/Jan are sick! If he could sustain that I have no doubt the Suns can make the playoffs.

[WTFsunsFTW]

We've all seen nash during the dantoni era. he was fully worn out by the postseason. he is a shell of his elite self when he isnt maintained through the regular season. even if we do make it to the playoffs, nash will be gassed and no doubt, we will be a first round exit.

[BurningHeart]

He'll be alright.

[irish22022]

We've all seen nash during the dantoni era. he was fully worn out by the postseason. he is a shell of his elite self when he isnt maintained through the regular season. even if we do make it to the playoffs, nash will be gassed and no doubt, we will be a first round exit.

not sure what playoffs you've watched. he hasn't played more or less then he did in the past years, and we've gotten pretty deep in playoffs, and his numbers are always great.

Don't just say "we'll be a first round exit" to prove your point about Nash. We'll be a first round exit because we aren't a good team. Nash will be fully capable either way.

[Frank Lee]

3 of 20 from 3-land is a telling stat. He is missing open looks too. This is not vintage Nash we are witnessing.

His injury comment was a subtle warning. It was vaguely described and pretty much went unnoticed. Does rest fix it ? Is it a 'pull', a muscle problem ?

[SUN]

The title of this thread is an overreaction. He's playing with a minor pelvic injury that bothers him mentally more then it does physically. I don't think this injury will be that bad for the next month or so, but by the playoffs I can guarantee that the injury will be virtually invisible. He probably doesn't shoot as much because jumping doesn't exactly go well down stairs.

Plus, he doesn't need to score, because he is the original assistant manager.

[-SDU-]

he seems to have 2 times every year where he stinks it up with his shot and at the end of it we hear about how much trouble hes been having with his spine etc etc

this is just one of those times, he will be fine im sure

[tigerblood]

According to a Coro article a couple days ago he has pelvic symphisis or something like that...i googled it b/c i had no idea what it was but essentially it has to do with the tendons/muscles that connect to your "unit", which i can't imagine being pleasant, particularly for those that have to jump regularly.

[Nando88]

i think the suns should rest steve for at least 2 games.

[bigfoot]

1. Suns with a top record since mid-January
2. MVSteve not playing at his regular high level for the last eight games.
3. Suns record since the all-star break a respectable 6-2.
4. Other players stepping up their game.
5. Awaiting the return of a healthy Nash and Frye.
6. Predicting a nice playoff run

[YFZblu]

3 of 20 from 3-land is a telling stat. He is missing open looks too. This is not vintage Nash we are witnessing.

His injury comment was a subtle warning. It was vaguely described and pretty much went unnoticed. Does rest fix it ? Is it a 'pull', a muscle problem ?

I think the only thing for a guy Nash's age to do about this type of situation is flat out take a few games off--But the All-Star break just gave him the needed rest, which is why I'm more concerned than usual...

[sunsfan3]

what concerns me most is if we make a playoff run, we can't do it with nash worn down.
we need to play Aaron Brooks more minutes and rest Nash. Yes, if it was Dragic replacing Nash to give him rest, I'd be worried. But Brooks has already taken a team on his shoulders, and I trust him to take Nash's place to some extent to give Nash some rest for the playoffs

[DRK]

what concerns me most is if we make a playoff run, we can't do it with nash worn down.
we need to play Aaron Brooks more minutes and rest Nash. Yes, if it was Dragic replacing Nash to give him rest, I'd be worried. But Brooks has already taken a team on his shoulders, and I trust him to take Nash's place to some extent to give Nash some rest for the playoffs

That are some good points.

The last thing I want is Steve aggrevating his injury even more, to the extent that he cant play in the playoffs if we make it.