A few weeks ago we highlighted pro golfing legend Greg Norman, the fiery #5 FEIR who continues to “attack life” at age 60, stating, I’ve always lived to seize the moment, to squeeze every drop of expectation out of myself for whatever that moment gives you.” Now, at age 41, another rare #5 FEIR is making headlines as he says goodbye to the game of basketball. He never played the game for status, or to be remembered as a legend, but says he simply “always played the game for the moment, for the opportunity, the challenge.”
Knowing his design, he’s telling the unvarnished truth.
Steve Nash only played 15 games in the 2013-2014 season on the Los Angeles Lakers due to agonizing nerve damage in his back that caused his hamstring to feel perpetually pulled. While the thought of retiring has always been difficult for him, the never-say-die #5 finally knew it was time to say goodbye. “I was so unprepared to kinda wave the white flag. It even pisses me off to say that right now. It makes me want to go try again.”
Steve Nash will long be remembered as one of the most unlikely players to have played the game, not because of any championship rings (of which he has none) or ability to dominate the floor, but simply because of how he overcame the odds. On the outside, Nash appeared to just be a 6’3″ scrapper from Santa Clara with not much upside, but Jon Niednagel saw the inside, knowing his inborn Brain Type and telling Suns management Nash not only had the top inborn design for an NFL QB, but that he could be an excellent NBA backcourt player. Way back in the mid-1990s, few #5s could be used as illustrations for Nashsfuture success, so Niednagel mentioned former Lakers Gail Goodrich as a somewhat similar #5 BT. As a newcomer consultant, Suns management thought Niednagel was speaking Greek, or worse, but coach Danny Ainge did not, and if anyone could relate to Nashs dsign, it was Ainge, another rare NBA FEIR. Draft Nash they did in 1996 as the 15th overall pick, and for the next 2 years Nash was able to make a name for himself despite being stuck behind All-Stars Jason Kidd (#6 BEIR) and Kevin Johnson (#2 BEAR) as a third-string guard. The Mavericks picked him up next, and after several years he went back to the Suns (winning 2 MVP awards), and then finished his career in Los Angeles.
If only Steve had chosen golf, where he could continue to play well into his 60s. I subscribe to the idea that an athlete dies twice,” says Nash. “It’s hard. You’re going to miss it forever. You have to take some time and grieve your former self.
I’m still just the kid from Canada with one scholarship offer.
Written by: Staff
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Congrats to a great career for Mr. Nash! I must admit, my mom and I remember seeing some of his more over-the-top antics and energy in his rookie season (before he learned more discipline and maturity from Coach Nelson in Dallas and others, along with adopting a more low-key persona that fooled many into thinking he was an “introvert”), and we thought there was no way this aimless, hyperactive maniac was EVER going to make it. He proved us, and many others, wrong. After picking up great point guard tactics from Kevin Johnson, BEAR (stop-and-pop shot) and Jason Kidd, BEIR (pass-first mentality), Nash was eventually put into systems where he could shine and make use of his boundless energy, and he went on to become one of the best PGs in the league. We believe he deserved one of his two MVP awards. We also think he deserves place in the HOF. Amazing what can happen when one is put in an environment where one can both grow, and use natural talents to the best of one’s ability. I’m 30, and I’m still hoping for a mix of those two things as well.