Nash provides best lines of Media Day
September 30th, 2008, 12:20 am · Post a Comment · posted by jerrybrown
Steve Nash is cordial and accommodating when it comes to dealing with the press, but he makes no bones about the fact that it’s one of his least favorite, time-consuming chores in a full and very busy life.
But at Monday’s media day, Nash was ready to talk. He was ready to challenge some of the trial balloons that have been floated over the long summer — from the idea that he was now on the downside of his career to the idea that he might even sit out some games in order to keep him fresh for the stretch run and postseason. Here are some of the highlights:
*On the idea that he was “broken down” at the end of the season: “Well, ‘broken down’ makes it sound like I barely made it to the arena. I was fine. I was a little tired. I’ve played a lot of games and ran a lot of pick-and-rolls and I think Game 1 (the double-overtime playoff loss to the Spurs) took a lot out of us emotionally. But I”m prepared to go the distance again. I feel like I’m in great shape and hopefully we’re deeper and I’m excited for the challenge.
*Responding the idea of sitting out 10 or so games in back-to-back type situations to keep him fresh: “If I could miss 10 or 12 games and go to the Bahamas, that sounds good. But if I have to stay here, I might as well play, so we’ll see how that goes. I think it’s a great idea, I just think it’s really difficult in the Western Conference with 10 or 12 team that will track us down in a heartbeat if we aren’t focused and aren’t playing well. I’m not sure I’ll have the luxury to skip a lot of games. To be able to shift the minutes around a little more to change our style just a little bit to maybe preserve guys’ legs, I think that’s possible.”
Reacting when Shaquille O’Neal dropped his shorts across the court and mooned him to distract him during and answer. “Please, do not look. And please do not smell.”
*On having new teammate Goran Dragic as the ”heir apparent” at his point guard position: “It’s nice to have an heir apparent finally, I can tell you that. It’s good. We have heir apparent going on around here.”
*His thoughts on buddy and You Tube “Step Brother” Baron Davis signing on with Jenny Craig in the off-season: “He’s not the guy I want to be in great shape this season, because he’s so talented. Jenny Craig is a (minority) owner of the Suns, so we should doctor the shakes, and up the caloric intake a little.”
*The preseason expectations: “Everyone thinks Shaquille (O’Neal) is an old man. I’m an old man, Grant’s old, we’re all getting old. With so many young, talented players coming into the league, they don’t think we can keep doing it forever. That’s OK. I still feel great, I still feel great about my teammates. I don’t see why we have to slow down or why our experience can’t overcome the age factors.”
