Steve Nash says time together has made the Lakers better

The Lakers are just one game below .500 after their Thursday night win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Veteran point guard Steve Nash said he believes the Lakers have finally started to come together.

“We’ve kind of turned a corner and we’re making improvements instead of continually taking steps back,” said Nash. “I think that improvement was a long time coming but it’s only the beginning.”

The Lakers need to win at a high level to climb up from ninth place.

“We’re putting ourselves in a position where we could climb into the playoffs,” said Nash. “I really feel we’re a long ways off where we could be, but we’re getting better.”

What was missing? What changed from the stretch where the Lakers seemed to regularly flounder?

“Time,” said Nash. “We needed time together.”

Even with forward/center Pau Gasol out with a foot injury, the Lakers have continued their slow climb in the standings.

They’ll be tested over the next two games with the Atlanta Hawks visiting on Sunday and a trip to Oklahoma City and the Thunder the following Tuesday.

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Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.