Steve Nash is Excited for This Season, You Should be too!

by Wil Cantrell on Jul 27, 2009 8:38 PM MDT in Commentary Comment 41 comments

Steve Nash will be playing for the Phoenix Suns next season. He most likely will play out the remainder of his career with the Phoenix Suns, for better or worse. There are many fans and critics out there who dislike this extension, and many who will applaud it. Steve Nash also knows this:

"A lot of people have written us off. There are a lot of fans in Phoenix that really support us and believe in us, I want to figure it out for those people."

For those of us who believe in him and the chances of the Phoenix Suns' return to Western Conference contention this season, we are blessed. Yet for the rest of the Phoenix Sun faithful, this extension is nothing more than drawing out an inevitable, painful fall from the top of the NBA's heap of giants.

Listening to Nash at the press conference left me thinking about a number of things, including the Grant Hill re-signing. I always find it interesting when an athlete, faced with his last shot to pursue his personal goals, makes a decision that would seem to go against the grain of the professional athlete persona. We know it well-the greed, the lust for money, winning, fame. So which is it for Steve Nash? He has plenty of money already. When we see him on T.V., he's not encouraging us to buy anything, he is reminding us to conserve electricity. He is known for his non profit foundation and his international humanitarian efforts. And let us not forget his venture into cinema . Clearly we are not dealing with the typical athlete. Steve Nash's life does not solely revolve around basketball.

So what does all of this mean for the Phoenix Suns, and most importantly us, the fans? Why Steve Nash, why do you want to stay a Sun, why sign that extension knowing very well the team has "things to figure out." Why not play out your contract and sign on with a winner, you know, win a championship before you end your career? Wouldn't that add to the resume, you know, give you that extra push into the Hall of Fame?

Turns out we didn't know what was important to Steve Nash:

"For as long as I've played any sport, it always felt great when you were out there with a group of guys that have the same goal and are looking out for each other and wanted the best for one another..."

That is, it's the game, it's being out on the court with guys you like who all have the same interests out there. Nash says nothing about winning the title, in fact, like most of us on BSOTS, he thinks the Suns are a playoff contender right now and little else. There is no mention of championship, not talk about contention with the elite of the West. Steve Nash is realistic.

If you listen to Nash in his conference today you hear a few words over and over again: "chemistry", "excited," "environment," "underdogs." I believe he is excited about this team. Yes he is good friends with Grant Hill, but there's more, 12 other guys on the squad he likes to play with. He likes Alvin Gentry, Steve Kerr, and even Bob Sarver. Why not be happy and excited? He has realized what is most important to him-playing basketball with a group of guys with chemistry.

This is what Steve Nash believes: enjoy your teammates, enjoy the game of basketball together while you can, enjoy the ride. It has the ring of some Buddhist philosophy to it. Maybe we can all take a lesson from Steve. There will be only one winner in the NBA. It cannot be the Phoenix Suns every time. And while we all would like to feel the glory of winning a Championship just once, to consider anything less as a failure doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

[Note by Phoenix Stan, 07/27/09 7:54 PM MST ]

Thanks Wil. I am going to add some thoughts on what Nash had to say...

What Nash is telling us with his decision is that sometimes the journey is more important than the destination.

It's a life philosophy that doesn't dominate the sports world but it is one that we can all learn a little from; as long as the effort and desire to win is still there. With Nash last year there were times it wasn't as his frustration with Porter's system obviously impacted his on the court behavior. His chemistry was unbalanced the results were less than impressive.

There's no reason to doubt that the chemical concoction will prove once again to be explosive. It will take that kind of extraordinary effort to overcome this team's defensive short-comings and rebounding woes and Nash thinks the recipe for success isn't just throwing 13 talented guys into a locker room. He believes in the concept of synergy and he obviously feel the the sum of these happy parts is greater than the potential results elsewhere.

It's a plan for success that is contrary to the last few years of rapid fire trades under Sarver and Kerr. It is the Nash Plan. The fortunate thing for Steve is that if he finally gets what he wants and doesn't win he can always fall back on being happy and having the opportunity to play with some nice fellas.

As a person I get it and I admire the Nash Way. It is an honorable and sane way to live one's life.

But as a fan of the Phoenix Suns who have yet to win a championship I am not so sure. To win that ring you need guys that are willing to run through fire to get it. You need guys who's entire life purpose is being the best and besting the other guy every night. Every possession. It is hard to see this Suns team reaching that level of championship hunger and Nash is telling us as fans to be ok with that. We should sit back and enjoy the team's chemistry and their happiness to be playing together (for rather large sums of money).

We as fans can't want to win more than the players on the court and so all it seems we are left with is a team that will have fun, enjoy the journey and provide a high-level of basketball entertainment. You have to decide for yourself if that's good enough for you.

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its good enough for me

until we get a team leader that brings that desire for a championship. right now nash and hill are our leaders, and neither of them has their eyes on the prize. amare, on the other hand, definitely has his eyes on the prize but definitely isnt a leader. im counting on amare to become a leader (ya i know…call me naive or foolish…i still believe that the dude can make the same transition kobe did to become a true leader).

anyway, its great to have nash here and its great to have a point guard who is really really excited about generating some synergy with this team. as long as we are running and gunning, i think synergy is our best bet to win. maybe we will have to blow it up eventually, but id rather take my chances with nash than with the rather bleak prospect of blowing it all up here and now.

people around here talk as if “blowing it up” is some sort of magical procedure that will turn the suns into an automatic title-winner in x number of years. i just dont believe that. “blowing it up” isnt some sort of virgin sacrifice you do in order to obtain supernatural competitiveness—its something you do when your parts aren’t working, when they are failing to generate a whole that is greater than their sum. with nash, hill, amare, and gentry, we have a great chance at making some great things happen this season.

not to mention that nash is one of the GREATEST players of all time suns history. his inability to defend the pick and roll isnt the one sole reason we never won a title. rather, his amazing court leadership and ability to make EVERYONE around him BETTER gave us our best chances at winning it all. frankly, i think its an honor to have him retire here. and its not like hes gonna be unproductive, either.

suns fans can whine about this all they want, but the truth of the matter is that we are in a much better position than plenty of other teams in the leage and that we are in the best position we can possibly be in right now given our option.

long live steve nash!

by yanyanman2 on Jul 27, 2009 9:48 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs

The Pain of It All

First of all, this is my initial post here. I really enjoy the commentaries – particularly since everyone seems to be sane and can intelligently express their views. Too often, blogs are just outlets for anger, frustration and general meanness.

I’ve been a Suns fan since I moved to the Valley in 1972 from Chicago. Yes, I’m also an ardent Cubs fan (sorry Diamondbacks fans), so I also know a bit about the frustration of not winning it all. My views on the current Suns organization is simple. I really miss the influence of Jerry Colangelo. The supreme irony of Arizona sports is embodied in his career. More than anything, my belief is that he wants to see the Suns win an NBA championship while he is still alive. The irony is that it is because of Colangelo that Phoenix even got a sniff of MLB. His influence and character had as much to do with the Diamondbacks as anything else in getting the franchise here. Even more ironic is the World Series championship in 2001.

Having said that, when Brian Colangelo was unceremoniously dumped a few years back, the transition from the Jerry Colangelo era to the Robert Sarver era was official. This is not sour grapes, just an observation. In my view, that was the beginning of the current “crisis”. Maybe this team was never championship calibre, maybe it was. We may never know (thanks to one Robert Horry). The point here is that the Suns have seemed to be “soulless” for the past 3-4 years. Maybe this is a reflection of the management, maybe not. What I do know is that along the way, Colangelo made several bad decisions (anyone remember Rick Robey for DJ???? Ouch Ouch Ouch), before he started to make good ones.

While Steve Nash brings an air of professionalism and character that is so sorely needed in professional sports, he will only be here for a couple of more years. So, my real concern is what happens after he retires? At this point, all I have seen are the negative takes on the decisions that Stever Kerr has made the past two years. If the Nash decision backfires, then we are left with a real mess. My point is that Kerr has a learning curve – just as both Jerry and Brian Colangelo did – and he has not gotten a fair shake from day one. How could he? While I question his decisions, I do understand that the bottom line is winning. He has won wherever he has been. His decision-making will get better as time goes on. I’m saying this even though I’m an ASU alum and there is the conspiracy theory about the UofA connection destroying all that is sacred here in the Valley of the Sun.

Kerr is performing a balancing act at this point. Make the team entertaining while at the same time determining which way to cast the sails for the future. A difficult task without being under constant scrutiny. So, I appeal to the fair weather fans of the Phoenix Suns, stick with your support of this team.

by 41YearsandCounting on Jul 28, 2009 9:48 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

“But as a fan of the Phoenix Suns who have yet to win a championship I am not so sure. To win that ring you need guys that are willing to run through fire to get it. You need guys who’s entire life purpose is being the best and besting the other guy every night. Every possession. It is hard to see this Suns team reaching that level of championship hunger and Nash is telling us as fans to be ok with that. We should sit back and enjoy the team’s chemistry and their happiness to be playing together (for rather large sums of money).”

I don’t agree. Steve never said that he and his team wouldn’t go out on the court and put in max effort every single night.
And the Suns will be plenty hungry. They will be inspired to reach the playoffs, and once they realize that the playoffs are in range, they will be inspired to get a high seed. I feel like as long as the Suns get into the playoffs, atleast they’re there and have a chance to make something happen. We all know that not a single team in the NBA would want to face an opponent that averaged over 110 points per game that season. That’s just dangerous stuff.

by BJabs on Jul 28, 2009 12:16 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree but...

The way I see it, this isn’t just about Nash. By extending Nash, they basically decided they would rather go along as a lower seed playoff calibre for the next few years and hope to retool along the way, rather than to blow it up entirely.

There’s no two ways about it – if Nash didn’t get an extension and was off, the whole thing collapses. Hill probably wouldn’t have re-signed for a start. Furthermore it would be pointless to have the roster the Suns have without an engine like Nash. Without Nash or an equally high IQ’ed PG running the system, there is no system. Nash committing means the Suns will try to retool along the way.

That makes sense to me. The Suns aren’t one of those franchises who go rock bottom to rebuild for a few years. How many times have the Suns missed the playoffs? Twice in 15 years or something? Colangelo or otherwise it seems the Suns’ mentality of retooling along the way has remained with Sarver/Kerr, and I can’t blame them.

Whether it puts the Suns in a good position to get to the league’s upper echelon along the way for a successful post-Nash era remains to be seen, and I’m not sure how the eventual replacing of Nash with a top quality PG is going to happen particularly with no good lottery picks on the horizon.

For now though I’m content with another three seasons of critically acclaimed SSOL basketball. It won’t be as successful as 2004 to 2007, but it will hopefully be as entertaining with a decent level of success compared with most franchises.

by Toon Army Sun on Jul 28, 2009 5:58 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

blowing it up

Show me some examples of a 45-50 win, early round exit team that “blew it up” and went farther with a completely different team within five years. I can’t think of any. Boston kind of did, but they really got lucky with the availability of Garnett. And they did not have consistent success with the Pierce-Walker team.

April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?

by Hawk42 on Jul 28, 2009 6:04 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree

I was all for resigning Nash and Hill and against blowing it up any further….

What I question is Nash’s attitude (I will post the entire audio here soon) where his priorities are chemistry, happiness, etc….

Why should that be important to me as a fan? Will it win more games? Perhaps to a point and more than bad teams that don’t like each other but when you look at the history of champions this philosophy isn’t what gets it done.

Aside from the Suns options and chances right now with or without Nash, I am reacting to his outlook on sports. I would like to hear him say, “I know that we are the underdog but I think we are a contender. I want to win a ring before I retire and I think coming back here was the best chance for that.”

Of course, I am glad he said what he really feels instead of those cliches but when it comes right down to it, this team as good as it’s been has been missing that little something extra to get over the top.

When you are happy with your situation are you going to work that extra bit in practice that might make the difference in a late game scenario in big game (which has killed the Suns)? Are you going to push that little bit extra in December against the Pacers when you are on the road and tired? Those are the things that separate top teams. One game in the standings. One defensive assignment with 3 seconds left on the clock.

What Nash expressed is a fine attitude for life. I don’t think it is a championship attitude and I am not sure how as a fan I am supposed to take that. Should I be happy for him because he’s happy and balanced?

But again, I’ve already said that bringing back Nash and Hill was the right thing for the team to do. This is the new reality for the next few years and I am all about finding a way to enjoy it for what it is. I’m all about the journey.

I am raising this issue because it says something about Nash’s legacy.

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Seth Pollack on Jul 28, 2009 8:02 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

A couple of things, the suns are further away than a game in December or a defensive assignment in the last 3 seconds…….maybe a few years ago but not now. Also I think Nash’s hope for a team that likes each other and likes to play together will develop a championship attitude. This too happens in the world of sport, not all championship teams win inspite of their internal problems.

by overthere on Jul 28, 2009 8:26 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Important to you as a fan.

That’s the key line there. I don’t think the question that Mr. Nash was asked had anything to do with what was important to his fans. I think it was more about what was important to him as a person. I personally like that Nash is different.

Didn’t we get the ring finger pointing from Shaq? Sure it was great until about mid way through last season when we all realized that we need to come back to reality.

I think Nash is right. You start with Chemistry, happiness ect… and then you see if you have the hunger to keep that Chemisty, happiness ect… through an entire season. That is what championship hunger is.

I would rather put ourselves in a position to win it all with a little luck and have fun watching the season than a position such as OKC where you need luck just to win a little. Win fun and win alot I always say.

Maybe I misunderstood?

TO THE NBA - " Yeah, you have created a rift within me ; Now there have been ; several complications ; that have left me feeling nothing ; I might say, you were ; wrong to take it from me ; Left me feeling nothing " - Disturbed, "Numb"

by antiw0rm on Jul 28, 2009 8:45 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Audio from the call

Here’s the audio so you can hear what Nash had to say…unfiltered

Nash conf call audio

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Seth Pollack on Jul 28, 2009 11:05 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I see

I see where you get those vibes from. But Nash has always been that way. General statements with little emotional attachment.

I did like the comment about the Gas man going to LA. Makes me feel like I’m not the only one in the league that feels something really stank about that deal.

Thanks for the great info. Can’t really get it anywhere else.

by antiw0rm on Jul 29, 2009 8:05 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is one case

where I am going off what he says and not how he sounds. He certainly sounds bored and tired and not the least bit interested in talking to the media about staying in Phoeinx. But whatever…

I am basing my opinion on what he said and has said before. He’s a guy that doesn’t value winning a ring as highly as other top players do. I don’t think we can dispute that based on the many things he’s said.

This time he talked more about what he does value (which is similar to what he said at his end of season press conf when we talked about it being a good thing the Suns didn’t make the playoffs).

If winning a ring isn’t his primary motivator but having good chemistry and being happy with his mates is what’s important where does that leave us as fans? Are we to be happy for him b/c he’s happy with his play mates?

Folks seem to forget how badly Suns fans wanted that ring after the 2007 suspension series. Going into 2008 the expectations were through the roof. Eyes all on the prize. The organization rolled the dice to get it with Shaq.

Isn’t fair in light of what he’s said to question how Nash’s desire to win impacted the team’s past and future success?

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Seth Pollack on Jul 29, 2009 8:37 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

nash just wants to have fun

and im pretty sure that doesnt entail losing anymore (the playoffs comment was meant in regards to last season only, not this season which he clearly has a much more positive outlook toward). therefore, if having fun does not equal losing, having fun must equal winning, right? how can that be a bad attitude?

what made us so good (not only entertaining, but good as in WINNING) in the first place was energy, creativity, and STEVE NASH having fun with the game of basketball. when we ended up failing is when we began to get so obsessed with “getting rings” that we sacrificed all of that. our best chance to win, here and in the future, is to do what we do best—and that includes an attitude that emphasizes energy, creativity, and fun as a means to winning (which in steve nash’s case, will result in winning). not just winning as a means to winning (in which the suns end up losing).

nash is what he is and what he always has been. let him amare provide the killer instinct and personal desire that is necessary to win a ring. let nash provide the zen that will allow our team to operate at its full potential. one brings the desire, and the other brings the capability. i call that a winning formula.

by yanyanman2 on Jul 29, 2009 8:52 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Look

I love Nash’s attitude. It’s very healthy and I am all for it.

But I think we have to be honest here and say that his lack of desire to win a ring has made an impact. Not between winning and losing. Not a 20 game impact. But when you get to the very top the difference is often one or two plays.

We’ve seen that as Suns fans over the years time and again.

This is about his legacy and how he’s viewed as a great athlete. I don’t think we can call Nash a “great competitor” like you can some other top notch players. A great talent. A great baller. A great guy. But not a great winner. Not one of the best ever.

Moving forward, the point’s been made that it doesn’t matter any more since the Suns aren’t that close anyway and that’s fine. I agree. Lets just enjoy the team for what it is which will be entertaining and competitive as it goes through this transition over the next few years. Lets not kid ourselves though that this team, lead by Nash, has what it takes and will do everything possible to win every game, every possession.

Just remember 20 games into the season when the team’s effort isn’t there or when they blow a game or two due to last second decisions that this all does matter to some degree. This team will be good but it won’t be great and we can’t just blame that on the talent level or the GM or the owner just like we can just blame past playoff losses on the refs, Stern or injuries. All those things matter but so does this.

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Seth Pollack on Jul 29, 2009 9:04 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Good, honest summation!

"I’m tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok." ~Shaq

by Max_in_Missouri on Jul 29, 2009 12:36 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nash & Hill still want the brass ring.

Or, in this case, the championship (I would expect gold, not brass) rings. But as you said, there is only one winner every year. You get the right momentum going throughout the season, a few young guys putting the pieces together and stepping up, and maybe a trade or two, anything can happen when the playoffs come. (Okay, almost anything.) If this team gels, they can still score and there will be few, if any, teams that will be able to match that. Until I’m proven wrong, I’ll choose to believe.

by psknapp on Jul 28, 2009 8:44 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

hmm...

some good posts above…I think the chemistry has been off for the last 2 years. I look back to the 04-05 team (if I’m thinking of the right season) where amare was out…and we were an injury to joe johnson away from playing miami in the finals…we would’ve crushed them…they didn’t match up well with us….

My point…that team wasn’t loaded with talent…they were loaded with chemistry…they loved the style they played, and they loved playing with each other…i guess the question is…what’s this year’s chemistry looking like?

I keep thinking of an earlier post from someone on here talking about porter and his treatment of dragic. It really bothered me if it was accurate…my guess is…it was…but what bothers me as much is that porter was a “kerr” choice…and if Kerr is that lost…we’re in trouble. How could Kerr have picked someone like that?

Amare’s comments about needing the coach to be a friend…i was disappointed in that at first, but after thinking more about porter…I think I hear what amare is saying….maybe the coach doesn’t have to be a best friend…but he needs to be a motivator….and porter clearly wasn’t…..

On Nash…I hear you P.Stan (srp)..I am also sad that I’m not hearing the desire to win from Nash….

It’s weird though, because I’d always thought he was super competitive…it’s real simple…nash and amare and hill could easily be title contenders in my view…we are missing one piece that we haven’t come close to replacing…maybe 2 pieces…
the all purpose super athletic defender marion / and the offensive machine and good defender in joe johnson…

and joe johnson was a sarver mistake

marion…well…just see how he’s doing…that was a volcano waiting to erupt…or should i say fall apart…but, i honestly think kidd has a chance to make marion look good…as nash did. Marion is fun to watch, but, quite simply, he had it really good here in Phoenix, but got greedy and has an ego to match….even though he was tough to lose…he was not worth 18-20 million a year.

I can live with $11 million a yr for Nash, I think he’s worth 7-8, not 11…but for what he’s brought us…I don’t mind. Looks like I’m going to buy another yr of nba league pass. Wish I had the HD 1080p 52 inch tv….funny…I film weddings with a sony ex3 – 1080p camera…it films incredible video…too bad my nba viewing isn’t on that same level yet..

by be-the-ball on Jul 28, 2009 11:02 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I have not heard Nash speak a whole lot, but at times yesterday his voice was either tempered, mellow, or downright depressed. I doubt it was the latter, but if you didn’t know the guy any better you would have thought that he just found out his dog got hit by a car. But I know a little about Nash and I know that his tone is heartfelt and sincere. His message was too, I think he was simply being honest about the situation. I don’t necessarily hear a lack of desire, I believe he will give it everything he has and more out there, and that’s the most important thing. You will always get the maximum effort from Nash. Still, we aren’t elite. We’re aging, and we’ve got some stiff competition. To think we are going to compete for a Championship next year is delusional. And clearly, Nash is not delusional.

by Wil Cantrell on Jul 28, 2009 11:53 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think...

Perhaps not enough emphasis is put on Nash’s other options. What teams out there were in a position to offer him a deal (I think he’s on record as saying he wants to play at least 2 more years in the league) that would’ve satisfied him AND given him a legit shot at a ring? Not just that, but the starting gig as well.

The only team we know that was likely out for him was the Knicks and there’s just no point joining them, even if LeBron is guaranteed to join them in 2010 (which I don’t think he will incidentally).

I’m not particularly strong on the numbers so forgive me here if some of these scenarios are nonsensical, but I’m just trying to paint my picture. Which contender could offer him a starting role and a legit title shot? Celtics? They’d rather keep Rondo as their starter. Magic? Possibly, but they seem content with their roster (and Nelson). The only team which could possibly make a legit aquisition of Nash would be the Pistons, and they’re miles behind the Big 3 in the East.

I could go on, but the point remains, there doesn’t seem to be a team out there that can fit Nash and all his requirements while also giving him a chance at a ring. I truly believe he wants to win one, he’s said as much himself, but if there’s nothing out there that gives him even a 75% chance, then I see why he extended with the Suns.

As Phoenix Stan says, the extension says a lot about Nash’s legacy – he’s all about having fun playing uptempo basketball, entertaining to the extreme, trying to win games (and championships) by sheer offensive power. That legacy continues now. But I question whether it was merely because there was nothing out there for him rather than just a strong desire to stay and maintain the chemistry and fun in the valley. We might be having a completely different conversation if there were teams out there for him.

by Toon Army Sun on Jul 28, 2009 11:48 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree this summer

that his options for a championship team were limited but if we had become a free agent next year in the summer of LeBron he certainly could have called his shot

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Seth Pollack on Jul 28, 2009 12:27 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Best chance to win a title?

Who was trying to woo him away? There were the NY and Tornto possibilities. Does anyone see Toronto going anywhere?

As for NY, he’d have to bet that the Knicks got LeBron and then put enough around those two to pull it out. I don’t know that you can take that bet, given the alternative in Phoenix.

Who else was “interested” that would’ve let him chase a ring? Do you see him in LA, San Antonio or Boston? I’m not so sure the top 4-6 teams saw him as the missing link to a ring.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Jul 28, 2009 1:24 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Yep

That’s exactly what I’m saying. I don’t see him any place else because there’s nowhere around where he fits in and can chase a ring. If there was however…

Let’s say the Magic needed a PG and had the cap space, then you’d really wonder would be stay for happiness, loyalty, chemistry, or would he end his Suns career and try chase a ring? Listening to him speak, it’s hard to know. We will never know. Thankfully it never came to that.

In short, I’ve seen a few people around the net summarise that he chose to remain loyal than chase a ring, but in all honesty, was there a chance for him to chase a ring anywhere? No. That’s my overall point.

by Toon Army Sun on Jul 28, 2009 3:34 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

True - for now

next summer as a free agent he certainly could have selected a team that was closer with his final couple of years. He may not have made as much money though

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Seth Pollack on Jul 28, 2009 3:53 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nash just ensured that his corpse will be pulling in $10+ milliion in 3 seasons...

..the least he can do is fake some excitement for this season. The extension seems to be more about the “face” of the franchise than basketball.

This pretty much cements Nash’s fate as a non-champion, unfortunately. At least he was loyal (to the money and) the franchise.

"I’m tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok." ~Shaq

by Max_in_Missouri on Jul 28, 2009 3:28 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

At least he was loyal (to the money and) the franchise.

It’s kind of refreshing for a change. As others have alluded to, I think everyone gets to a point in a decision making process where they weigh every pro and con and go with what works best. There was no perfect scenario for Nash, so this was what he felt would make him happiest.

by Wil Cantrell on Jul 28, 2009 7:12 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

You can’t fault Nash for choosing money/loyalty over a chance to win

I don’t think its necessarily a good basketball decision, for Nash OR the Suns, but I think its definitely a feel-good story in the valley of the sun at a time when it is needed

"I’m tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok." ~Shaq

by Max_in_Missouri on Jul 29, 2009 12:39 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

You cant get to the NBA trying to be someone you are not.

Thats why the NBA is such a great collection of characters. Saying Nash can’t be succesful because he doesnt say the Suns will be champions, is like telling Tolstoy he’ll never catch on until he learns to have a positive attitude.

by dCoye on Jul 28, 2009 8:36 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

by yanyanman2 on Jul 28, 2009 8:45 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

It makes me feel very conflicted

As a Suns fan, I disagree and dislike his approach. He is on the Suns payroll, and when he plays basketball he is representing the team and the countless fans who throw their weight behind him. The happy-go-lucky approach is fine with regard to life, but with regard to basketball, it is somewhat unprofessional. As is with other sports, winning is the bottom line, winning in an entertaining style would be simply cherry on the icing.

While I respect Steve Nash as a person and I recognise the validity of his approach to life, I believe that a basketball player should feel a greater sense of responsibility towards winning for the franchise.

http://themeanderingtruth.evony.com/ ve watched, loved, and rooted for the Suns for half my life! I hate smug and hypocritical Laker fans.

by felixthm on Jul 29, 2009 1:31 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

You have a point

I agree with what you are saying about Nash and how “a basketball player should feel a greater sense of responsibility towards winning for the franchise”. However, if the OWNER is certainly not committed (hell, at times he seems downright disinterested) to win, it is hard to give your all.

I’m not going to rekindle the debate about the benefits/disadvantages to Shaq being on the Suns, but the team is obviously substantially better with O’Neal on the team than the no-show contracts of Wallace and Pav. In other words, this was obviously a cost-cutting measure that only makes the team worse.

If you are in Nash’s position, where the team was not good enough to make any real splash before, and then it was downgraded, would you feel an overwhelming urge to win for the franchise?

Nash seems like a pretty good guy, but I think the ultimate motivation for this contract was money. He is more than likely on his last contract and I think he sees this as the best way to secure the most money for his post-NBA ventures. I know he’s involved in owning part of some soccer team, a production company, and surely some sort of hippy/healthy crap….I keep hearing more and more the past couple years about Nash’s life off the court and I’m wondering if maybe that’s where his interests are starting to be more focused…

So Nash makes what, $12-13 this year? $22 over the 2 after that? That’s good chunk of change to spend in your post-NBA life. I’m pretty sure I could come to terms with never being a world champ for that sort of scratch.

"I’m tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok." ~Shaq

by Max_in_Missouri on Jul 29, 2009 12:57 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

yays or nays?

i have to give it to the regulars in here… your passion for the Suns is evident in the way you articulate your views.. i bet other fan sites are envious of the level of discussion you have here.

re: nash’s views… obviously his statements were his personal beliefs. there were no attempts to second guess what the fans would love to hear… otherwise he would be a politician rather than a basketball player… lol

our differences in opinion stem from our own belief systems… goes without saying that people in here who share similar belief systems with nash will most likely give him the benefit of the doubt.. while those of different view points will criticize his seeming lack of fire…

let’s not read so much from what he said or didn’t say.. for such would only lead to endless debates.. instead let’s view his statements based on the history of his performance with the team… ultimately, we’ll just have to decide whether he’s a positive influence (yay!) or a negative drag (nay!) for the team…

as for me… he is definitely a YAY!

by menacejinx on Jul 29, 2009 4:06 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Chemistry win games.

I would prefer have a lineup of Fropez, Lou, Hill, LB and Nash than the team we had last year, with much more talent and much less effort. I was really happy when I taught I had a team with Shaq, Amare, G.Hill, J.Rich and Nash, but what does it really tell? A bunch of guys that don’t really like to play together. So, as an absolute fan of Nash and all the things he already did to Phoenix, I support him. And I support the decision making Kerr is doing this summer. With Amare healthy and hungry, I don’t expect us to be much worse than the San Antonio aging and hurting Spurs and the Lakers without Odom.

by Diego Queiroz on Jul 29, 2009 7:43 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Ummm

Have you seen what San Antonio did this off-season?

I hate the Spurs at least as much as the rest of you, but they have been doing work this summer. The Spurs next year will be much better than they were last year, which wasn’t sayin a whole hell of a lot.

Chemistry wins games….. but dumpin the most dominant inside force ever in exchange for a couple near minimum rotation players does not necessarily equal “chemistry”

As far as Amare, don’t get me started on his character/game issues, but he could have a huge INDIVIDUAL year, only because he is in a contract year. However, I feel like Amare is definitely someone who could play for his own stats at the detriment of the team, which certainly would not be good for chemistry. Maybe I’m wrong, but does Amare not seem that self-centered and full of himself? Besides, he has said repeatedly he wants a MAX contract and if he has a repeat of either of his last couple seasons this upcoming season, then it will certainly not be warranted.

"I’m tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok." ~Shaq

by Max_in_Missouri on Jul 29, 2009 1:07 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nash is not a frontrunner

Almost every post I have read seems to think that Nash being OK with maybe not being a contender means he doesnt have a winning attitude. I totally disagree! Nash is a player that wants to win as the underdog, not jumping to some leading team. 1 the victory and the ride on the underdog team to a championship is much sweeter, and 2 just ask Gary Payton, and Karl Malone how trying to gravey train it works out. Its worked for 2 players and there both on Boston, and theyll probabley never be there again. If Nash came out and said he really beleived that this team was a contender, everyone would think he was smoking somthing. So what good would it do him even if he believes it. The way he left things there is no where to go but up. Remember this too, when Nash first arrived in PHX there was little expectation of a championship and those next few years the team exceeded expectations. When it was expected of them they fell short.

by thedoovage on Jul 29, 2009 10:57 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

+100

you got my vote for the best person on the planet dude!… next to nash and me of course… lol

by menacejinx on Jul 29, 2009 9:01 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good Observation

From Bickley’s column:

Now, many fans seem to think he’s overpaid, overrated and a bad investment for a team with zero chance to win a championship in the near future. Some even call him a liability.

These are the same people who drove Mike D’Antoni to the brink of insanity.

I tend to agree.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Jul 29, 2009 1:42 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

are we supposed to feel

bad for Mike for being passionate about the team and caring about things? Jeez, if he thinks the fans here are tough wait until he goes a few years in New York

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Seth Pollack on Jul 29, 2009 1:58 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wasn't looking at it from D'Antoni's perspective

But you make a good point.

I was looking at it from the fans’ perspective of constantly sniping.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Jul 29, 2009 5:46 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

a startling revelation:

maybe this is how all canadians think?

by yanyanman2 on Jul 29, 2009 6:37 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I know a handful of Canadians

… and, based on my very limited sample size and tendency to jump to conclusions based on stereotypes, I think you’re right.

For some reason, when I met my brother-in-law’s in-laws, they were just happy to see I held my rye (which is inferior to Irish Whiskey)

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Jul 29, 2009 10:53 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

One more post I'd like to add...

Having read Nash’s book (The Makings of an MVP), I’ve learnt of just how far he’s willing to go to prove himself, at any level.

He came from a non-basketball playing area for a start, but remained determined to play to a higher level. In high school he set his sights on getting a scholarship at a US college and nobody would give him one (except, and luckily, Santa Clara of course). Nobody at any point thought he could make it to the NBA, except himself. And so he did, and then some…

My point is that Nash throughout his life has constantly met his target and then exceeded it, surpassing it with the next highest accomplishment. It is some story, as I’m sure everyone here knows.

Winning a ring is only a natural next step up for someone with the mentality of Nash, especially when he already won 2 MVPs.

So when Nash signed that contract extension and gave up on a ring, it kind of went against his entire life’s mindset of proving people wrong and doing what people don’t expect.

I refuse to believe he’d seriously do that unless he realistically knew with a high probability he wouldn’t have a chance to win a ring somewhere else.

The more I think about Nash and his career and the more I partake in this discussion, I come to the conclusion more that 1) there was simply nobody there with the opportunity for him because 2), if there was, you bet your ass he would have left.

I can’t say I’d blame him if he did either. There absolutely is loyalty in professional sports, and Nash has great loyalty, but even the most loyal of players, especially a determined character like Nash, would go for a ring over loyalty.

I do not question Nash’s loyalty for one second. But I do question his sudden “pessimism” if you like, which goes against his entire life’s mindset.

by Toon Army Sun on Jul 29, 2009 8:46 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

About the Spurs

Parker surely is one of the great players in this league, but the main forces in SA, IMO, are Duncan and Ginobili. Both have been playing injured the past seasons and I don’t expecto to see them get better at all this year. Jefferson and Dyess were nice additions, but the don’t make the Spurs championship material. How about the Suns? I don’t know, but I think we can outscore them (I know what you’re thinking – past didn’t teach me anything, right?).

by Diego Queiroz on Jul 30, 2009 9:03 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs