Thursday, April 26th, 2012 at 9:00 am  |  95 responses

Steve Nash May Have Played His Final Game as a Phoenix Sun


by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni

Steve Nash continues to insist that he has “no clue” what the future holds for him, as the 38-year old point guard heads into free agency. Many seem to believe he could have played his last game in a Phoenix Suns uniform last night, in a loss to the visiting San Antonio Spurs.

Nash, who was second in the NBA in assists this season, has repeatedly talked about the need for the Suns’ front-office to make serious roster improvements, something they have time and again failed to do (Phoenix missed the Playoffs for the second straight year), and it might be time for him to look elsewhere as his remarkable career winds down. For now, though, there is only uncertainty.

Per the AZ Republic:

Nash said he might not even allow himself to think about the possible finality of it as he [went] through his day. “It deserves a lot of thought,” Nash said. “It would be an important moment if I don’t play for the Suns again. It could be a big moment.”

On what he needs to see from Suns management to stay: “For me, I just want our team to be as competitive as possible if I were to return. We’ll see. There are a lot of factors involved and I’ll get a chance to sit down and evaluate them all at some point.” [...] On the chances of him staying in Phoenix: “Honestly, I have no clue. I couldn’t predict. I don’t know what the future holds at this point. And I’m actually OK with that. I think now’s the time to maybe get some distance from it and try to find a clear perspective on where I am. Until I do that, I couldn’t put a number on it or take a guess on what the chances are on whether I’ll be back or not.”

Sensing it might be the last time they see him rocking the team colors, Phoenix Suns fans made sure to give Steve Nash a proper send-off last night:

  • Add a Comment
  • Share
  • RSS

Tags: , , , ,

Newer Comments →
  • Kobester

    Did he just throw the towel onto that dude’s face? Nash: Quit trying to steal my shine and get the F away from me!

  • http://melcro.com Nicholas

    Bring him back to Dallas… we need him.

  • Ali

    A bad a** PG, that made his mark in the Association with dedication, hard work, heart, being a student of the game, and by being cold blooded on the court! He’ll be a Hall of Famer when it’s all said and done…

  • http://nba.com GP23

    I couldn’t think of a more awkward time to get a turnover lol!!
    Anyway, I got mad respect for this dude.

  • IAMORANGE4EVER

    Nash should go back to Dallas.

  • kh

    Love Nash! Hope he gets to play for a ring one day

  • Justin G.

    Cue the Seed’s next “Nash is overrated and doesn’t deserve the Hall of Fame” rant

  • Todd

    I hope Steve ends up being made an offer he simply cannot refuse and that he stays right here in Phoenix. We love him here and he is such an integral part of Sun’s history and we are proud to have him here

  • http://www.slamonline.com Dagger

    The best combination of shooting and passing the game has ever seen.

  • Mike Mihalow

    what GP23 said

  • Lulu

    Please, Steve, PLEASE come back to Dallas! We LOVE us some NASH here!!!

  • Heals

    Love the guy and his game, but can’t stand this “will he or won’t he?” and the “is this it?” melodrama folks keep pushing for him…

  • RunNGun

    To the Knicks… make it happen, DOLAN!

  • Fat Lever

    It’ll be interesting what the market sets as his value. I think it’s a unique situation, a 38 year old soon to be FA still playing at a very high level. Not too many times that’s happened.

  • FLIGHT 9

    Hope he signs with Ginebra

  • http://Www.freeones.com Bravo

    Come home to Canada

  • http://www.huwlhopkins.com #6marjon

    Clap for him.

    Quite apt, and maybe frustrating that he plays his final game against the spurs, a team that dogged him for so many years as a sun

  • Bobitto

    Probably wouldn’t be the most ideal situation but, I think he should go to the jazz. They’d definitely be a contender next year with him manning the back court. Trade Devin Harris for a nice piece, draft Lillard for the future and they’re back at it.

  • T-Money

    he’ll go to the highest bidder.

  • T-Money

    if its phx, then he’s loyal. if it’s toronto, then he’s coming home. if it’s a contender, then he just wants to win. nash is covered no matter what happens. ring chaser, traitor, not being a competitor… that’s for the OTHER guys lol.

  • http://abcnews.go.com/US/seattle-arrest-questions-cops-dash-cams/story?id=15595576 Allenp

    We’ll see what’s important to him this summer. Money or rings.

  • Da-Meat-Hook

    Well said, T-Money!

  • Zeke

    He got that terrible turnover.. wow. And why did they pull him out?? The Suns still had a chance to win, give their fans a big win over the best team in the West to close out the season.

  • lakernation

    He’ll be going to a contending team to cap off his great career with a CHIP! Welcome to the LAKE SHOW Nash…. JS.

  • B.C.

    He’s going back to Dallas.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Double J

    Nash’s last moment as a career, assisting the Spurs for a fast break dunk.

  • Jerome

    He will finish his career in Vancouver. After he wins in Miami. Really the only way either will win a Chip next year.

  • http://kbv4.com KBV4

    come to toronto

  • AQWORD

    Se you in Miami Steve.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    The funny thing is, Steve said if he stays he “wants to be compensated for what he provides the team” – Which means he still thinks he deserves big money. And he wants to sign somewhere for 3 more years…………draw your own conclusions.

  • TreshiQ

    Now THIS is how you treat free agency! Class ACT

  • Rainman

    Great Player. Nothing but respect for this dude. I say he comes bak to phoenix

  • Lz – Cphfinest3

    Class act.

  • http://abcnews.go.com/US/seattle-arrest-questions-cops-dash-cams/story?id=15595576 Allenp

    He didn’t have to do anything. Every writer in America openly pined for him to be traded to a contender, and they’ve never questioned his desire for a three year contract at 38-years old.
    So a team has to commit to him and his bad back outside of the SSOL framework and Suns doctors for three years?
    And he wants nice money?
    Who needs to complain when you can set those sort of parameters and no one bats an eye?

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    RIGHT?!?!

  • jimmer

    Allen, NBK, seriously, we appreciate that every writer and observer on the globe has it wrong other than you two, and that nash is old, is lying about being crippled by his back, doesn’t deserve a pass, is money hungry, usw. usw. When you are 5th all time in the NBA in assists, damn-near the most accurate shooter in the history of the league, and could clearly get OKC or MIA humming at 118ppg in sub 30 minutes per night, you can ask for nice money.

  • http://Slamonline.com nbk

    Lol that was quite possibly the most ill informed and dumbest comment I have read in a while. Nash gonna get the Spurs and Thunder (Teams with PG’s already) scoring 118PPG? That’s amazing!!! Tell me more! Clearly you are ignorant on how I feel about Steve Nash. And clearly you are jumbling up the conversation I had about one game yesterday into this conversation While also making sh*t up. Try again, that was pathetic.

  • BasketballJunkie

    Nash to OKC. Move Westbrook to SG with Harden still 6th man. And you have a championship team

  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    Nash shouldn’t ask for more than MLE. Was is that 6,7 Million a year? He is worth that, but realistically to get on a great team he should sign for less than 4 million a year.
    118PPG? I mean I see what your saying, that Nash would make MIA crazy better, but common, be a little realistic man.

  • robb

    humming like a bee

  • http://www.slamonline.com Nick Tha Quick

    Nash to the BETCATS…make it happen MJ!

  • http://abcnews.go.com/US/seattle-arrest-questions-cops-dash-cams/story?id=15595576 Allenp

    If you don’t think Nash is primarily about his money then it’s because you have decided to ignore reality.
    According to Basketball Reference Nash has made nearly $120 million in his career.
    The bulk of that, about $80 million, has come since he joined the Phoenix Suns.
    Do you realize his salary has doubled since he came to the Suns compared to what he was getting in Dallas? I’m not sure people grasp that factoid. And it’s not about inflation or overall rising salaries because he came into the League at a time when it was easier to get more money.
    Anyway, it’s whatever. The man and the myth are inseparable at this point.

  • http://Slamonline.com Kevin Durant’s Backpack

    Come to OKC. Russ can move to shooting guard and we will win a chiP

  • Heals

    Since arriving in Phx he took his game to an MVP caliber level (good bye hand-checking), played in arguably one of the most entertaining offenses in NBA history, helped the Suns reach a level where they were knocking on the NBA Finals door in a loaded Western Conference and managed to keep a entire fanbase coming out to home games despite a lack luster squad in recent years. I agree that going forward he’s asking for a lot, but I gotta believe Phx doesn’t have any 2nd thoughts about what they’ve paid the guy thus far…

  • http://Slamonline.com nbk

    Phoenix didn’t sell out a single game this year. Which I believe, is the first time ever.

  • @boweezy24

    Nash Is My Favorite Player! Go To The NYK and Help Them Out Next Season.

  • http://abcnews.go.com/US/seattle-arrest-questions-cops-dash-cams/story?id=15595576 Allenp

    Heals
    All valid points. I think the Suns definitely got their money’s worth. Let me be clear about that. I was just noting that the idea that Nash is “money” hungry has some validity when you consider the fact that he left a regular contender to sign with a 29 win team for more money. And that he stayed with a team that might have to rebuild for more money than he might have gotten elsewhere.
    He’s made two money choices. Three if you count the deal in Dallas, but that’s debatable.

  • Bawse

    I know everyone follows the Sportswriters in America and how they let Steve Nash get a pass but I WONT. He didnt play a LICK of defense. His career he had 4 outstanding seasons( shouldnt have won 2 mvps but the NBA needed someone like him for the masses in America to root for) and a 3 good seasons. I like Nash and followed him since college but cmon. He was a good point guard that had a major flaw in his game that stops championship teams. NO DEFENSE AT ALL!!! Now I expect the Nash warriors who are brain wash to make excuses.

  • http://idunkonthem.blogspot.com albie1kenobi

    exactly Allenp.
    i mean, when you think of MJ, what’s the first thing that comes in to mind?
    Nash, of course.
    he’s just like anyone of us, but 10x better.

  • LA Huey

    So what contender with a need for his services has the cap space and flexibility to sign him? My guess is that he goes to a playoff team that doesn’t have a real shot at a chip.

Newer Comments →
Advertisement