Nash eyes path to Lakers title

Attention has shadowed Steve Nash since he began dribbling a basketball. As a point guard, scrutiny comes with the job.

Now that he's playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, however, Nash will be under a spotlight that's brighter and more intense than at any time during his 17-year NBA career.

"I'll be honest, I never envisioned (being a Laker) happening to me," the 38-year-old Nash said. "But I'm excited about it and I'm hoping I'll be part of something special."

Nash is expected to play in the Lakers' annual preseason visit to Las Vegas when they take on the Sacramento Kings at 7 p.m. today at the Thomas & Mack Center. In four games with his new team, all losses, Nash has averaged 18.8 minutes, 5.5 points and 3.3 assists.

It's been awhile since Nash played in Las Vegas.

"I remember coming here in 1990 during the summer to play in a (high school) tournament," he said, "and I couldn't believe how hot it was. Walking down the Strip, seeing all the lights, it was so surreal at the time."

The idea of being a Laker also seemed surreal, Nash admitted.

Nash was acquired July 5 in a trade with the Phoenix Suns, a move enthusiastically endorsed by Kobe Bryant. A month later, the Lakers acquired center Dwight Howard from the Orlando Magic and retained forward Pau Gasol, leaving Nash working with an embarrassment of riches in a potentially successful situation.

In the twilight of a career that likely will send him to the Hall of Fame, Nash has a good shot to reach the NBA Finals for the first time. The seven-time All-Star has been to the Western Conference finals only twice.

"It's hard to win a title in your first year together as a group," Nash said. "It's an incredibly difficult Western Conference and Miami is the defending champion. But we have a great roster and we hope to be in the mix."

Though Nash's primary role will be as a facilitator, feeding the ball to Bryant, Howard and Gasol, he isn't so sure he will be pigeonholed into that role by coach Mike Brown.

"I may need to score more," Nash said. "I'm going in with an open mind. I'm going to be flexible and be ready to do whatever is needed for us to win."

The other challenge Nash will face this season will be to juggle his family life with basketball. He has shared custody of his three children, who live in Phoenix, and is accustomed to being a hands-on dad.

"I'm the kind of dad who gets up at 6:30 in the morning and gets the kids ready for school," Nash said. "It's a big change, but I'm going to try to make the most of it."

Nash also has begun planning for his post-playing career. He's general manager of the Canadian national team, overseeing his country's attempt to become a medal contender at the 2016 Olympics after failing to qualify for the London Games.

Nash spent late August in Toronto at a minicamp for the national team. Among the invitees were former UNLV center Joel Anthony, current Rebels Anthony Bennett and Khem Birch, and Findlay Prep products Tristan Thompson and Cory Joseph.

"It's a great time for Canadian basketball," Nash said. "We've got great young talent and guys want to be part of it. You see it in their eyes how excited they are about the future."

■ NOTES - Howard has yet to suit up for the Lakers while recovering from back surgery, and the team is averaging only 81 points. Howard made the trip to Las Vegas but is not expected to play. ... Tonight's game won't be televised in Las Vegas because Time Warner is not available on local cable. ... The Kings are 2-1 in the preseason, suffering their first defeat to Golden State on Wednesday, 98-88.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.