Nash fired up to start

Discussion in 'Phoenix Suns' started by Dissonance19, Sep 7, 2007.

  1. Dissonance19

    Dissonance19 Member

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    http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/artic...06nash0907.html</p>

    Steve Nash has reveled in the chance to play half-court games during the past week with new teammate Grant Hill at US Airways Center.

    Nash welcomes the infusion of talent and personality, but maybe Hill, familiar with the concept of doubters, can help split up the questions on age and health. Nash, 33, has missed 16 games (some as precautions or rest) in the three seasons since his return to Phoenix but still was dogged this summer by questions of whether his window for a championship is closing.

    Nash said he thinks the queries began as soon as Dallas owner Mark Cuban justified letting him go to the Suns by saying he "had fears in terms of his durability."





    Two Most Valuable Player awards and a runner-up finish later and Nash is showing up earlier than ever for voluntary workouts and again is fit from a summer of soccer.

    "What can I say, I feel great," Nash said. "There's a sense of urgency every year. What's the point of playing if you don't have a sense of urgency? . . . The last three years, we've had pretty unfortunate bounces. At the same time, I think we've got some improving to do. We can look at those years and put blame there."

    He still knows his limits, saying he would be "extremely surprised" if he would play for Team Canada despite continuing talk or hope that he might.

    "Do I know when I'll retire? No," he said. "Will it be after this contract (in 2010)? Maybe. Will it be when I'm 40? Maybe."

    John Stockton played until he was 41 and was fifth in assists his final season.

    "I don't know if I'm at John's level, fitness wise, but why not?" Nash said. "I have no feeling that I'm running out of steam. I'm getting sharper every day and enjoying it rather than coming in and being burnt out or tired to be back. I've been excited all summer to get back."

    He kept the same training regimen but was busier off the court with a family vacation, his foundation's philanthropic work and photo shoots for ads and a coming magazine cover.

    Nash talked about the "what-if" aspects of the Suns' playoff elimination to San Antonio in May. Tim Donaghy's gambling scandal only added to that because he officiated Phoenix's Game 3 loss.

    "I don't even want to really think about our series in that way," Nash said. "I don't want to think about the impact it possibly could have had. I look at it introspectively and say, 'What could I have done and what could have we done to win?' . . . I just want to look self-critically at what I can do better and what we can be better and make up that ground."

    Hill is a part of that. He arrived two weeks ago and has joined Nash for games with rookies Alando Tucker and D.J. Strawberry, teammate Sean Marks or ex-Suns Eddie House and Pat Burke.

    "He's very gifted and a very intelligent player, which always makes it fun," Nash said of Hill. "He's a great guy and is excited to be here. That's a dream combination." </p>
     
  2. GArenas

    GArenas Wiz Fo Champz

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    I'm thinking that these next two seasons are the Suns last chance to win an NBA championship, after that Nash will certainly begin his decline. Despite how Nash feels about his current physical condition, he'll start getting knocked around by tougher defenders pretty soon. By no means will he be copmletely useless after a couple of seasons but he also certainly won't be the superstar he is today. Personally, I'm very excited to see how the Suns do this season. After a dissapointing second round last season, the Suns will be back with a vengance. Can't wait to see this team completely light up certain teams.
     
  3. Dissonance19

    Dissonance19 Member

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    I think only way we can win it all is if we avoid the Spurs and getting the #1 seed. Just not enough depth in the front court to beat them. I think we could beat the Mavs though. It would be hard obviously, just we match up a hell of a lot better.</p>
     
  4. pegs

    pegs My future wife.

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dissonance19)</div><div class='quotemain'>

    I think only way we can win it all is if we avoid the Spurs and getting the #1 seed. Just not enough depth in the front court to beat them. I think we could beat the Mavs though. It would be hard obviously, just we match up a hell of a lot better.</p></div>

    </p>

    it was enough to beat tie them up after 4 games, 2-2. and, unless they get really unlucky or screwed again, i think they have a better chance than anyone else other than the spurs to win a title.</p>

    i'm sure if tim duncan got suspended instead of amare, the spurs would've been just as screwed as the suns.</p>
     
  5. ASUFan22

    ASUFan22 BBW Global Mod Team

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    The Suns were the best team in the league last year, but the franchises continuous streak of bad luck continued and they got screwed out of a great chance to win it all. What pisses me off most is people are still using the type of play as the reason and that's not true. But no matter how I feel about last year's team, I'm not feeling as good about this one if we play San Antonio. Without Kurt Thomas, Duncan will either get a career high playoff average vs. Diaw, get Amare in foul trouble again or both. This team is very weak in the front court. It saddens me that Sarver just couldn't spend that extra cash for this year when we are so close. Amare is working harder than any player in the league, Nash gives it his all and even Diaw is getting in shape. This team is full of great guys. I really hope they can win a championship.</p>

    </p>

    Of course, with the Spurs being the oldest team in the league (I assume), they can't avoid the injury bug forever. They have been very fortunate there.</p>
     
  6. pegs

    pegs My future wife.

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ASUFan22)</div><div class='quotemain'>

    The Suns were the best team in the league last year, but the franchises continuous streak of bad luck continued and they got screwed out of a great chance to win it all. What pisses me off most is people are still using the type of play as the reason and that's not true. But no matter how I feel about last year's team, I'm not feeling as good about this one if we play San Antonio. Without Kurt Thomas, Duncan will either get a career high playoff average vs. Diaw, get Amare in foul trouble again or both. This team is very weak in the front court. It saddens me that Sarver just couldn't spend that extra cash for this year when we are so close. Amare is working harder than any player in the league, Nash gives it his all and even Diaw is getting in shape. This team is full of great guys. I really hope they can win a championship.</p>

    </p>

    Of course, with the Spurs being the oldest team in the league (I assume), they can't avoid the injury bug forever. They have been very fortunate there.</p></div>

    </p>

    ya, i'm pretty sure they have the oldest average age (there was a thread about it in the nets forum, and they were #30 on a list of the youngest teams in the league).</p>

    it's unfair how duncan, bowen, horry, barry, and finley never get injured...they have to be the luckiest team in the league.</p>
     
  7. Dissonance19

    Dissonance19 Member

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    I think the Suns were 2nd oldest though lol. </p>

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