
OAKLAND – After two days at Warriors training camp in his role as a consultant, retired star Steve Nash returned Friday to his Southern California home.
He did, however, make an impression.
“He was awesome today,” interim coach Luke Walton said of Nash.
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“I’m reporting for duty,” Nash said. “So whatever they need, I’m here to help.”
“Everybody was really locked in on the options that he gave us running certain sets, certainly our pick-and-roll sets and transition,” veteran wing Andre Iguodala said. “There are so many options that we’ll implement and that we’re making reads off of that didn’t come as natural before.”
[POOLE: Day after taking leave, Kerr stops by Warriors practice]
Nash spent most of his post-practice time with Klay Thompson, working on footwork and ball-handling drills. Thompson has gotten appreciably better each season, but Nash hopes to take the fifth-year guard to another level.
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“He’s already an All-Star player,” Nash said, “but he can get better with the ball. His feet can get better. His mobility and dexterity can get better.
“It’s exciting. For a guy that’s already an All-Star, already on the national team and an NBA champion – and he’s got a lot of room for improvement. It’s a nice environment to lend your support.”
Nash is expected to focus on guards and wings. As a point guard with two MVP awards on his resume, he’ll be alongside reigning MVP Stephen Curry as often as possible.
“Hopefully there are a few gems I can throw his way,” Nash said. “But he’s obviously at the top of the game right now. Hopefully, I’ll learn a lot from him as well.”
Nash, 41, acknowledged that he decided to join the Warriors largely because of the many friends and associates with the franchise, beginning with the coaching staff, through the players and also in the scouting department.
He also is a good friend of COO Rick Welts.
The Warriors have been in his ear for a while, Kerr said, about accepting some kind of role within the organization.
“Frankly, they’ve recruited me for over a year,” he said. “I’ve been given the pitch many, many times and was excited. Frankly, I’d already basically committed to them before anyone had talked to me about other opportunities.
“I can’t go wrong. This is the perfect environment for me to stay involved in the game, share what I’ve learned and my experiences and, at the same time, not be too close to it too soon. And see if I’m any good at it.”
Nash said he plans to work with the Warriors whenever they’re in the Los Angeles area and also will come to the Bay Area and spend “probably less than a week a month” around the team.