Lakers’ Carlos Boozer impressed by play of 40-year-old Steve Nash

New forward Carlos Boozer played almost 21 minutes Monday, scoring six points with four rebounds and three assists as the Lakers defeated the Denver Nuggets, 98-95, in their preseason opener.

What was his takeaway from the game?

“Steve [Nash] is amazing,” said Boozer. “He’s really good, man. I enjoy playing with Steve. He makes the game really easy -- great vision, great decision-making.

Nash, at 40 the oldest player in the NBA, has struggled to play through his first two seasons with the Lakers with back, knee and hamstring issues. So far through the preseason he’s stayed healthy.

Against the Nuggets, Nash scored 11 points with five assists in 20½ minutes.

“He creates a shot for you, so all you have to do is shoot it,” said Boozer, who’s 32, of Nash. “He does all your work for you.”

Boozer is also happy to play alongside Kobe Bryant, given the Lakers knocked off the Utah Jazz so many times in the postseason during Boozer’s tenure there.

“He looks good,” said Boozer. “He can score, but he also does a good job of drawing the defense in and setting us up for jump shots.”

Boozer is projected to start alongside Jordan Hill, Wesley Johnson, Bryant and Nash.

So far, Boozer is happy with what he’s seen.

“We have really good chemistry,” said Boozer of Bryant and Nash. “Our IQ on this team is really high, especially us three.”

The Lakers play again on Thursday night, hosting the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.