Steve Nash acknowledges Lakers didn’t know their identity last year

Steve Nash says he’s already sensed a major difference in the Lakers this season.

Namely, chemistry.

“I think we have a lot of guys that are in a good position to play well in the system and find an identity together,� Nash said. “And the chemistry and the attitude has been fantastic and, as we all know, that can have such a huge role on the team. We know we’re not the favorites, but we feel we have a lot to play for.�

Last season, even though the Lakers were expected to make a deep playoff run, Nash began to realize the team was going to struggle early on.

“We didn’t win a preseason game, no matter if it counts or not,� he said. “I mean, let’s make a list -- injuries, trying to figure out the Princeton [offense], starting the season with a deficit, wins and loss column, changing coaches, everything kind of seemed to fray.

“This year we hope for good luck with our health, but what we really hope for is to find an identity and a cohesion together that we really couldn’t find last year, even if we did win a lot of games in the second half of the season.�

The Lakers have won two of their three preseason games so far, and Nash said the team is already showing signs that things could be different this time around.
“We have a good pace, the ball moves, quick decisions,� he said.

“i think the pieces fit together pretty well. We have some depth, we have some youth and athleticism, which I think is important to balance out our team. Last year we didn’t have much of that, and i think it hurt us especially in transition defensively. We got a lot of guys with different looks and in different stages of their career that are all trying to impress ... they’re looking at this is a real opportunity to try and cement their career.�

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