I don't know Nick super well but I've chatted with him a number of times. What I can tell you is he's a 100% straight up guy. Not a junkie or a enabler. He was a positive, healthy influence on Scott. Dude is a sick guitar player and a total reliable pro. He's very well liked from what I've heard on the music scene. I think he tried to get Scott to shape up. Ultimately Scott didn't give a shit. So what's he supposed to do? If he steps away, they'll just find someone else to take the job. I know everything he said is totally true because he's a honest guy to a fault. Dude stuck around because he LOVED the music, believed in it, and genuinely cared about Scott.
I'm personally glad Nick joined the band. I feel like he was one last lifeline thrown to Scott, which didn't work, but at least he came in after Jeremy died and didn't allow the whole thing to go down in flames. He gave Scott's story its final parting legacy. A lot of those shows were a disaster, but Blaster is a fantastic album that deserved it's just due and Nick gave it every chance with his top notch true to form playing every single show. And sometimes the stars would align, Scott would have a good night, and they'd have a fantastic show.