Eight-time All-Star, five-time league leader in assists, four-time member of the 50-40-90 club, three-time All-NBA First Team, two MVPs"”those are just some of the more prominent accomplishments in Steve Nash's career, but there are just a couple of things he wants to be his legacy.

"I simply want people to remember me as a competitor, and a great teammate. That's it. Those are the two most important things for me," Nash said during a press conference at the Los Angeles Lakers' practice facility in El Segundo, California.

After announcing his retirement Saturday through a letter to fans published on The Players' Tribune, made his first public appearance to offer more insight on his decision.

His open letter gave a lot of insight on the people that helped him through his journey as a Canadian basketball player with lofty ambitions despite not possessing the standard physical tools.

"The greatest gift has been to be completely immersed in my passion and striving for something I loved so much "” visualizing a ladder, climbing up to my heroes. The obsession became my best friend. I talked to her, cherished her, fought with her and got knocked on my a** by her," Nash wrote.

Adding, "And that is what I'm most thankful for in my career. In my entire life, in some ways. Obviously, I value my kids and my family more than the game, but in some ways having this friend "” this ever-present pursuit "” has made me who I am, taught me and tested me, and given me a mission that feels irreplaceable. I am so thankful. I've learned so many invaluable lessons about myself and about life," the 41-year-old wrote, while also thanking former coaches Don Nelson, Mike D'Antoni, and former Dallas teammates Dirk Nowitzki, and Michael Finley.

Nash used the press conference as a platform to address his injury-plagued stay with the Lakers. In three seasons in Los Angeles, Nash was able to play in just 65 games, and only 15 last season. He opted to try and play one more year this season, a decision that cost the Lakers close to $10 million in cap space"”something the fans have been letting him know on social media.

"I came here with huge hopes and dreams and was incredibly excited and humbled to come here and have the opportunity to come here and play for the Lakers. For it just not to be in the cards, it was a failure and a huge disappointment. It's been a difficult period of my career and my life -- just to battle through that and try to make something of it -- which was fruitless in the end. I've never worked harder and never wanted something more, but it just wasn't to be," Nash said, who also thanked the Buss family as well as the entire organization citing their class, and professionalism during his stint with the team.