(2) Steve Nash Fights Father Time

In the second episode of 'The Finish Line,' an exclusive Grantland series chronicling Steve Nash's season, Nash battles his way back onto the court, celebrates his 40th birthday with a throwback performance against the 76ers, and faces the harsh reality that the Lakers may essentially end his career by exercising the stretch provision.

Father Time does indeed win all the time.  Like athletes, physical therapist Rick Celebrini is programmed to focus on what's possible and make it happen.  That there are no guarantees is absolutely right, certainly not as far as continued play is concerned.

So what is Nash to do or not to do?

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. 

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night. 

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. 

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night. 

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. 

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Do not go gentle into that good night is the famous villanelle by Dylan Thomas.

Thank you for reading, and let me know what you think!

Ron Villejo, PhD