As far as stern goes, who knows. the guy usually means what he says so you have to take him for face value. that's not to say that a deal can't get done later to salvage the season. I would expect to see the season cancelled entirely. My feeling is we will not see basketball this year at all. I think the owners are serious about change. Then the players? they don't appear ready to play and neither side seems willing to change anything. the players have too much control in the NBA and it bogs down the league as a whole, but I don't know if the culture can be changed now. it is a players sport and they control a lot. i don't think they will be willing to give in until they lose a lot and it sinks in that they have to give it up if they desire to get paid and play.
As far as nash? I don't think he is done. that's not to say that he will ever be a league mvp again because I think those days are likely over. However, with a right team around him I think he can still play at a all star level. If jason kidd can do it, I think nash can bring more to the table offensively for a club that has talent around him. I would love to see nash join the mavs or another team that is bound for a title. i think he would thrive again at a high level. but you won't see him carry a team on his back like he used to.
it is just unfortunate to see this happen this year. last year's nba season was a great one. there seemed to be a lot of competiveness in the league compared to recent years. I just think that the owners are tired of some of the bs contracts that cripple a franchise and posturing by the players(like you saw with boston/minn trade, dwade lbj chris bosh, etc, etc.) thankfully dallas has a savy owner who is all about winning and not ONLY about cash.