Home >Unlabelled > Steve Nash reaffirms commitment to Suns at NBA All-Star Weekend in Orlando - Tucson Citizen
Steve Nash reaffirms commitment to Suns at NBA All-Star Weekend in Orlando - Tucson Citizen
Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2012 by NBA Playoff Schedule 2012
ORLANDO – When Steve Nash was not answering questions Friday about Jeremy Lin, he was asked about other point guards.
When he was not speaking in English, he took questions in Spanish.
But when the topic of Nash's All-Star media session turned to himself, he no longer was talking about the present. It always was his future.
Nash's eighth All-Star trip at age 38 is remarkable as the oldest All-Star point guard — ever. But with a 14-20 Suns team, the interest in Nash's career is what comes next in July free agency and speculation about the March 15 trade deadline.
"It's up to the team," Nash said. "I'm happy where I am. I'm not happy with our record. I feel like I made a commitment to the fans and my teammates. But at the same time, I'd understand if the team wanted to make a move, so I'm completely open. To be honest, I just occupy myself with trying to prepare to play and play as well as I can."
The Suns have made it clear that he would not be traded unless he asked for it. That is not in Nash's nature.
"I feel like it's a difficult position for me to demand a trade when I've been a part of that community for so long," Nash said in his 10th Suns season. "I really feel like I owe it to my teammates to do the best I can for the group. I don't feel like I should be demanding anything."
What Nash discussed more openly was the length of his career and uncertainty of free agency. He never has delved fully into free agency; he quickly committed to Phoenix in 2004 and extended his contract in 2009 to avoid free agency.
Without a dip in performance or passion, Nash has begun to mention playing as many as five more years if he maintains his health and desire.
As the 2011-12 NBA leader in assists with the best shooting percentage of any guard, his dedication to preparation has remained an indicator of his love of the game and competition.
"I also like the lifestyle of getting up every day and having to work out," Nash said. "That's just who I am. If I wasn't playing in the NBA, I'd still be doing that anyway, so why not do it in a competitive, structured environment?
"I don't feel like I have to be in a frame of mind that this is the end, like this is the last chapter."
Potential high-profile free agents Dwight Howard and Deron Williams each made it clear Friday that they would not be discussing their free agency. Nash, hardly looking the role of megastar in Vans, jeans and a plaid shirt, did not get specific but entertained the idea of what is coming July 1.
"It'll be an interesting period for me this summer to go through that, because I haven't necessarily been in that position to open myself up to be a free agent for a while," Nash said. "I haven't thought about it. I'm totally consumed with trying to get through this season in the best shape we can as a team and individually."
Nash said it is natural to desire a championship or the best team but said he will consider factors such as a franchise's fit for him, environment and contract offer.
"I can't even envision what it's going to be like," Nash said. "I don't think by weighing my options or seeing what's possible, it's going to be a situation where Phoenix is going to automatically diminish because other teams are ahead of them as far as the roster or development. I don't think that's the case. Phoenix has a special opportunity with the cap space."
Former Suns teammate James Jones said the Suns should not trade Nash.
"Steve, regardless of age, will always be one of the top, if not the top, point guard in the league," Jones said.
"Steve is a one-in-a-million type of player that the older and slower he gets, the more efficient he becomes and it seems like he gets faster. It's odd, but he's found a great way to not only extend his athleticism but extend his speed and skill."
MacLeod in the 'Ring'
The Suns will make coaching legend John MacLeod the 13th Ring of Honor member during an April 18 halftime ceremony.
MacLeod led the Suns to the 1976 NBA Finals and later coached the Suns to eight consecutive playoffs, including two more conference finals visits. MacLeod, 74, is the Suns' winningest coach with a 579-543 record from 1973 to 1987.
More in TC Sports Network:
This entry was posted on Friday, February 24th, 2012 at 6:13 pm and is filed under Arizona Republic Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
25 Feb, 2012
-
Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEkYUvxBOU43PKati7ny97gq8EhLQ&url=http://tucsoncitizen.com/sports-news/2012/02/24/steve-nash-reaffirms-commitment-to-suns-at-nba-all-star-weekend-in-orlando/
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com
Blog Archive
-
▼
2012
(2069)
-
▼
February
(971)
- Power Rankings, Vol. IV
- Previewing WSU opponents: Loyola
- It's Halftime
- R.I.P. Dunk-Contest...ein Nachruf
- NBA All-Star Weekend Review
- Miami Heat: LeBron James no substance just talent!
- Video: All-Star Weekend
- Gerüchteküche (All-Star Edition)
- Stern pleased despite condensed NBA schedule - Was...
- NBA All-Star Game: Live updates from Amway Center ...
- NBA All-Star Game 2012: Kevin Love Representing Ti...
- 2012 NBA All-Star Game: LeBron James The Odds-On F...
- NBA All-Star Chat: Will Kobe Bryant get his 5th Al...
- 2012 NBA All-Star Game: East Roster Features LeBro...
- Sacramento, Maloofs meeting on Kings - USA TODAY
- Dwight Howard saga dominates NBA's second half - N...
- NBA All-Star Weekend 2012: All-Star Game, Three-Po...
- VIDEO: Kevin Love beats out Kevin Durant to win 3-...
- Daytona 500, Oscars, NBA All-Star Game may bump up...
- 2012 NBA All-Star Game: Knicks' Carmelo Anthony St...
- 2012 NBA All-Star Game Time, TV Schedule And More ...
- NBA commish talks about Seattle, Sacramento - KING...
- NBA All-Star Weekend: Flo Rida Performs A 'Good Fe...
- NBA Analysis: Miami Heat Midseason Review - Opposi...
- Magic Johnson's 1992 NBA All-Star appearance a def...
- NBA Standings 2012: Can The Mavericks Climb The St...
- David Stern: Adam Silver worthy successor as NBA c...
- Great expectations in NBA's second half - ESPN
- Previewing WSU opponents: Youngstown
- The 2012 NBA All-Star game, the L.A. story - Exami...
- Fake NBA All-Star gear leads to arrests in Orlando...
- NBA All-Star Saturday: No. 1 in Orlando ratings - ...
- NBA All-Star Weekend: Slam dunk contest and three-...
- NBA All-Star Game 2012: TV Info, Time, Anthem/Half...
- NBA All Star Basketball - KENS 5 TV
- NBA All-Star Game 2012: 5 All-Stars You Don't Want...
- David Stern says Adam Silver is ready - ESPN
- West All-Stars-East All-Stars Preview - ESPN
- NBA All-Star Game Rare Shootout Involving Iguodala...
- Is Dwyane Wade the Best Player in the NBA? - NESN.com
- 2012 NBA All-Star Game Time, TV Schedule And More ...
- NBA Slam Dunk Contest | 02.26.12 - News & Observer
- 2012 NBA All-Star Game Time, TV Schedule And More ...
- NBA commissioner David Stern has no sympathy for D...
- NBA's focus back on Howard - Bryan College Station...
- NBA Power Rankings 2012: Bulls And 76ers Boast Bes...
- Kyrie Irving talks about return of 'NBA Live 13' -...
- NBA Capsules: Utah's Evans wins Slam Dunk Contest ...
- NBA All-Star Game Live Blog: LeBron James, Kobe Br...
- NBA All-Star Game rosters - Columbus Dispatch
- NBA teams already looking beyond this year - San F...
- 2012 NBA All-Star Saturday Night - San Antonio Exp...
- 2012 NBA All-Star Skills Challenge: Celtics' Rajon...
- NBA All-Star Weekend: Slams, skills and shootout -...
- Heat, Thunder prepared to take NBA All-Star Game b...
- NBA All-Stars Shine In Skills Contests - KERO-TV 23
- NBA All-Star Game back in SLC? Not anytime soon, J...
- Stern: Silver worthy successor as NBA commissioner...
- Stern: Silver worthy successor as NBA commissioner...
- NBA Slam Dunk Contest 2012: All-Star Game Warmup B...
- NBA's David Stern: No deal yet on new arena for Sa...
- Kevin Durant, the NBA's unassuming superstar, reme...
- Celebrities at NBA All-Star Weekend - SI.com
- Tennis player Michael Chang has given advice to NB...
- For one night, Lakers and Clippers will work toget...
- All Star Weekend LeBron James still Don't Understand-
- Handing out NBA midseason awards: LeBron James loo...
- Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash, at NBA all-star game, do...
- Jerry Zgoda's Sunday Insider: There was one Magica...
- Lakers' Darvin Ham unenthusiastic about 2012 NBA d...
- NBA All-Star Weekend: Three Point Shootout, Slam D...
- NBA Trade Rumors: Suns Are Foolish Not to Trade St...
- Johnson: 'Linsanity' might bring change to NBA nar...
- NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers interested in trading for...
- NBA Four Quarters | All-Star edition - Kansas City...
- No one seems to notice, but the Spurs are a threat...
- NBA Slam Dunk Contest: Competition Has Long Histor...
- Previewing WSU players: Vaughn Duggins
- Women's Basketball
- Men's Basketball
- NBA All-Star Game a social media bonanza worldwide...
- Monroe 'steals' show at NBA Rising Stars (with vid...
- 2012 NBA Skills Challenge: Four PGs Compete In ......
- 2012 NBA Three-Point Contest: James Jones Seeks Re...
- NBA All-Star Weekend: Three-Point Contest Includes...
- NBA All-Star Weekend: Jeremy Lin Not Main Event Bu...
- Jeremy Lin humbled, humorous during All-Star weeke...
- NBA Rising Stars Game 2012: Kyrie Irving Showed Us...
- NBA All-Star Saturday Night 2012 Time, TV Schedule...
- NBA Debate: Why David Stern Should Shorten Season ...
- Not an All-Star, but Lin stars in Orlando - Atlant...
- NBA All-Stars showcase skills leading up to big ga...
- NBA All-Stars and more pitch in for charity - Orla...
- 2012 NBA Dunk Contest: Jeremy Evans Could Surprise...
- 2012 NBA All-Star Saturday: Schedule, TV Info And ...
- Syracuse vs UConn: Future NBA Studs to Watch in Bi...
- NBA All-Star Weekend: Rising Stars and the Celebri...
- Vic's Picks: NBA, Dwight Howard, Missouri-Kansas -...
- NBA Rumors: Suns Shouldn't Wait for Steve Nash's B...
- NBA: Lights, camera & stars - Daily News & Analysis
-
▼
February
(971)