Nash to return soon and Gasol will be on the court late in games

The 2012 Los Angeles Lakers are clearly the biggest disappointment so far in the NBA. They should be getting some help with point guard Steve Nash returning from injury. Nash has only played 2 games with the Lakers and that was with ex-coach Mike Brown.

Nash is expected to play on Christmas day according to Mark Medina of the Daily News.

There’s probably a low chance tomorrow,” Nash said following practice here at the Lakers’ facility. “But I’m definitely playing on Christmas for sure.”

If the Lakers even have hopes of making the playoffs this season, they need a healthy Steve Nash. I mean currently the Lakers are using Chris Duhon and Darius Morris at the point. Back-up point guard Steve Blake is also out with an injury.

I am sure Nash can’t wait to play in Mike D’Antoni system again.

One current Laker who isn’t buying isn’t the new Laker system is big man Pau Gasol. Gasol has been critical of the new offense and Kobe Bryant basically told him to grow up. Gasol was also unhappy to be bench at the end of games.

According to the Los Angeles Times D’Antoni told Gasol over dinner that he won’t be sitting out late in games anymore.

Gasol said he wanted the ball in the post instead of on the perimeter and also asked to play in crunch time, among the topics discussed with D’Antoni at a Manhattan Beach restaurant.

‘It was to make sure we’re in the same boat,’ Gasol said. ‘We’re trying to reach the same goal. Let’s communicate. Hopefully, we can meet halfway on some points.”

D’Antoni told Gasol he would no longer be benched in crucial situations, according to a person familiar with the conversation.

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