Steve Nash News

“We had a talk about that, so I’m glad they are a little bit looser and just kind of thinking more about the short term and some goals that we were trying to reach”

DALLAS — If there was anything all but guaranteed to make the Mavs feel at home in a strangely discombobulated 2007-2008 season, you just knew exchanging haymakers toe-to-toe with an old friend would do the trick.

Funny thing is, the Phoenix Suns probably felt the same way about their only regular-season visit to the AAC on Wednesday night.

Whether the Mavs’ 108-105 victory translates into the consistency they’ve been looking for all season remains to be seen, but there was definitely a familiar feel to the up-and-down rhythm of the game that brought back memories of Mavs-Suns matchups in recent, generally happier years. Read more

“That second contract is going to be tough. He’ll get that second one and he’ll play a lot of those years, too. He’s not quite there yet.”

By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News esefko@dallasnews.com As the flaws get more evident in Houston and Utah and Denver and New Orleans, the Western Conference of the NBA is looking a little familiar. via The Dallas Morning News

“It’s always fun to watch the Suns play. The chance to do it ourselves is exciting.”

The ball that seemed to die a slow death during offensive exchanges for the Duke men’s basketball team a year ago suddenly has life and speed. via News Observer

Dirk Nowitzki wasn’t about to let Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns get away with another win in Dallas. via The Plain Dealer

“We should be a good defensive team, and I think we will be”

Sometimes, it’s hard to determine which is more responsible for Suns losses. Do they lose because they shooting 5 percentage points worse in losses or because they allow teams to shoot 5 percentage points … via Arizona Republic

“And he isn’t listening, so that’s fine. “LB’s great. And when you look at the tape, he’s doing what he’s supposed to do. He didn’t get many shots up, but I don’t know if he really turned that many down.”

Jerry Brown , Tribune Missing free throws had been a curious problem for the Suns early in the season - except for Steve Nash, of course - but that stat has begun to turn around and is benefitting Phoenix as … via East Valley Tribune

“I wasn’t worried about our effort tonight, considering all the history and last year”

Nobody on the Phoenix Suns team was talking about revenge on Monday night. After all, this is still the early part of the regular season and their 100-95 win over the San Antonio Spurs may not mean much come … via Lexington Herald-Leader

“We’re a better team, better than last year”

On the surface, the offseason changes the Suns have made appear to be for the better. via East Valley Tribune

Chris Paul had 21 points and 10 assists, outplaying the point guard he admires most in Steve Nash and lifting the New Orleans Hornets to a 101-98 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night.

Accurate perimeter shooting was the difference for the Hornets, who made 12 3-pointers. Paul made three, the last of which put New Orleans ahead for good midway through the fourth quarter after the Suns had erased a 16-point deficit to briefly take a lead of their own.

Morris Peterson also scored 21 for New Orleans, connecting on 4 of 6 3-point attempts. Rasual Butler also hit four 3s for all of his 12 points. Read more

“It’s a long season and you just try to win enough to put yourself in good position to win in the playoffs”

Jerry Brown , Tribune The Suns began a six-game stretch against teams that are a combined 34 games over .500 with Wednesday’s win over Utah and won’t end until their nationally televised Christmas Day clash … via East Valley Tribune

“You want to measure yourself. But they’re also one of the best teams in the Western Conference.”

Teammates keep going down. Chris Paul keeps rising. And what most of New Orleans is missing — a sad fact confirmed by historically scant attendance at the New Orleans Arena — is some of the best point-guard … via Times-Picayune

“We learned two years ago that you better have your head up or he will tattoo ‘Spaulding”

Steve Nash would have been proud. In the midst of Eastside High School’s tight game against Greer on Tuesday night, Eagles senior point guard Sean Eads led a two-on-one break. via GreenvilleOnline.com

“We were concerned about Memo’s shoulder, and we don’t know if he’s going to go (tonight) or not”

With would-be starting center Mehmet Okur out nursing a strained left shoulder, Paul Millsap made the most of his second start of the season Wednesday night at Phoenix. via Deseret Morning News

Before I start, I’d like to welcome Trey to this blog. He will be writing here from now on. via MVN - Recent Articles

“OK, I don’t love my role but let’s make the best of it.”

Scott Bordow , Tribune Columnist Just once you want Boris Diaw to act like a spoiled, petulant professional athlete. via East Valley Tribune