I’ve heard some pretty crazy comparisons and nicknames for basketball players but this one is a little odd. Kobe referred to teammate Steve Nash as Gatsby in reference to The Great Gatsby, a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald and soon to be released movie starring Leonardo Dicaprio for those unfamiliar. Read more after the jump.
According to the L.A. Times, Kobe talked about how he has basically been running the point for the Lakers with Nash still battling a leg injury. That’s why he’s looking forward to Gatsby’s return. Yes, Gatsby.
“I’m not working too hard, to be honest with you,” Bryant explained. “The shots that I made were all jumpers. It doesn’t take much energy to knock those jumpers down,” he said. “Bringing the ball up and having me kind of initiate the offense and score and stuff like that, it’s making me work a little more than I will when Gatsby gets back.
“When Gatsby gets back, I don’t have to do that. The game’s going to become even more easy for me.”
ProBasketballTalk provided some reasons for the possible comparison:
Steve Nash = Gatsby.
I like it.
The question is why Gatsby for Steve Nash? Is it because of:
• Nash’s haircut?
• Nash’s rise from poverty to riches and fame through a life of crime, just like Jay Gatsby?
• That Nash, like Gatsby, represents a hollow version of the American Dream… even though he’s Canadian?
• Because he’s Canadian and Kobe just is confused about F. Scott Fitzgerald’s work?
• Nash’s lavish, opulent, high-society parties?
• Nash’s all-encompassing focus to win Daisy back?
• My favorite: Because Nash’s offensive game of deception and control to achieve his ends mirrors Gatsby’s illusion of sophistication and persona of mystery to achieve a far more basic goal?
Hey maybe it’s the new dapper look Nash has going on?
