Intro:

Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash held a press conference at the team's practice facility in California on Tuesday (24th March) after he announced his retirement in a letter on Saturday (21st March).

Script:

SOUNDBITE (English): Steve Nash, Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player

(On his failures during his time with the Lakers)

"Yeah for sure, I'm mean I came here with huge hopes and dreams and was incredibly excited and humbled to have the opportunity to come here and play for the Lakers, in this part of the world for this fan base. And for it just not to be in the cards, it was a failure and also a huge disappointment. And it's been a difficult period of my career and my life to battle through that and try to make something of it, which was fruitless in the end. But I know I've never worked harder, never wanted something more and I've never worked harder and it just wasn't to be."

SOUNDBITE (English): Steve Nash, Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player

(On not winning an NBA championship in his career)

"For sure, it was a lot of disappointment not to win a (NBA) championship in my career. At the same time I definitely left it all out there. And there's been a number of players that have had tremendous careers that haven't won a title and they probably feel similar to the way I do, disappointed. I wish we could have taken that final step that wasn't to be. But again my time playing this game has been incredible. I've played on some great teams, had a lot of success and just wasn't able to get over the hump a few times."