NBA News: Los Angeles Lakers' Steve Nash Announces Retirement, Speaks on 'Weird Transition'
Two-timed NBA Most Valuable Player and currently Los Angeles Lakers point guard Steve Nash announced on Saturday his retirement from the National Basketball Association.
A statement from the 41-year-old athlete was released and published on The Players' Tribune and it reads:
"The greatest gift has been to be completely immersed in my passion and striving for something I loved so much -- visualizing a ladder, climbing up to my heroes. The obsession became my best friend. I talked to her, cherished her, fought with her and got knocked on my a-- by her."
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"And that is what I'm most thankful for in my career. In my entire life, in some ways. Obviously, I value my kids and my family more than the game, but in some ways having this friend -- this ever-present pursuit -- has made me who I am, taught me and tested me, and given me a mission that feels irreplaceable. I am so thankful. I've learned so many invaluable lessons about myself and about life. And of course I still have so much to learn. Another incredible gift."
Speaking with ESPN's correspondent Marc Stein, the Canadian professional baller talked about the "weird transition" following his decision of calling it quits.
"To now realize that it's over, it's really difficult to put it into words," Nash said. "Every athlete goes through it. A lot of people say an athlete dies twice, and in some ways, without being salacious, that's true. If you want to enjoy and be happy in life, you have in some ways to say goodbye to your former self. And that's not easy, especially for guys. We're not the most communicative of the species. So it's hard to kind of put it all in perspective."
Nash, who made about 10,335 assists during his NBA stay, wasn't able to play with the Los Angeles Lakers this season following a slew of injuries.
