Steve Nash News

“I don’t think nobody can fill those shoes”

Larger-than-life likenesses of Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Dwight Howard–a trilogy of NBA giants–adorn one side of a downtown hotel. via Contra Costa Times

“When you see the devastation that’s here, it’s hard to believe it’s been 21/2 years, but hopefully by us coming here, we can raise some awareness and get the message out that this city still needs help.”

Nash, along with a heavy-hitting roster of his NBA all-star squad teammates, including Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh, spent yesterday afternoon painting and scraping a small gathering of homes edging … via The Globe and Mail

“They just had a better fourth quarter. We battled for four quarters but just didn’t have that finishing kick.”

Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki scores against Phoenix Suns’ Boris Diaw during the fourth quarter of the NBA action in Phoenix, Arizona, yesterday. via The Peninsula

“It would have been nice to have seen the neighbourhood its heydey”

- Steve Nash stood atop a ladder, chipping away at paint on an exterior window. Inside, Chris Bosh and Dirk Nowitzki painted with wide brush strokes, their long arms extending up to the ceiling in the tiny home that had sat empty for more than two years.

The basketball stars rolled up their sleeves Friday in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward, the neighbourhood now infamous for the ravages suffered in hurricane Katrina in the fall of 2005.

The NBA players were there to help out for just over an hour, an appearance squeezed into the middle of a hectic day. But they hope their presence, and the spotlight that will shine on the city during this weekend’s all-star game, can help propel New Orleans back into the public consciousness. Read more

“Some kids that you meet don’t necessarily have hope that things could get better”

NEW ORLEANS : There may be no better opportunity for Chris Paul to capitalize on his emerging stardom than here, at his first NBA All-Star weekend. via International Herald Tribune

“This is just a totally different feeling. I’m not even looking at the record.”

No games scheduled. The All-Star game is Sunday. STARS Thursday _Steve Nash, Suns, had 24 points and 13 assists and Phoenix pulled away in the final quarter to beat Dallas 109-97. _Kirk Hinrich, Bulls, scored … via International Herald Tribune

The National Basketball Association, as it breaks for its annual study in ole defense known as the All-Star Game, has become “Let’s Make A Deal,” minus, of course, the man in the checkered sports coat, Monty … via The Daily Tribune

Steve Nash had 24 points and 13 assists and the Phoenix Suns pulled away in the final quarter to beat the weary and short-handed Dallas Mavericks 109-97 on Friday night. via Modesto Bee

Monta Ellis had a game-high 37 points to go with nine rebounds and five assists, as the Golden State Warriors held off the Phoenix Suns, 120-118, at ORACLE Arena. via Sports Network

Nike and Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash are releasing a new basketball shoe made with manufacturing scraps, called the Nike Trash Talk shoe. via KGW-TV Portland

“I’ve never had a point guard like him”

Shaquille O’Neal doesn’t want to slow the Phoenix Suns.

That’s why he may make them wait a few more days before playing his eagerly awaited first game debut in purple and orange.

O’Neal, who is learning a new offense and working his way into shape after a hip injury, is unlikely to play when the Suns visit Golden State on Wednesday night. After returning from the Bay Area, the team will decide whether O’Neal will play against Dallas on Thursday night in Phoenix.

“I want to be a little more in tune before I step out on the court, because as you watch this team without me, they’re like a great flowing machine,” O’Neal said after practice Tuesday at US Airways Center. “I don’t want to be the kink in the machinery.” Read more

“I haven’t done anything in a month, but I’m in pretty good shape”

PHOENIXShaquille O’Neal practised with the Phoenix Suns for the first time yesterday, showing no sign of the hip injury that has sidelined him since Jan. via The Toronto Star

He’s too slow for the Suns’ offense. His hip gives him problems. He’s going on 36. via BleacherReport

Amare Stoudemire had 31 points, including two game-clinching free throws with 7.5 seconds to play, and the Phoenix Suns handed the Washington Wizards their seventh straight loss, 108-107 on Sunday night. via The Plain Dealer

Trade Devin. Trade Stack. Trade everybody.

Shake it up. Thug it up. Blow it up.

Bring in KG, Kobe, Kidd.

What was once a gurgle by a minority of Mavs doomsdayers has become a raging torrent lately. Almost everybody seems to agree, if left as is, this Mavs team will fail.

And let’s be clear about something: It might.

The West is good and becoming a bigger mine field daily with LA adding Pau Gasol and Shaq joining Steve Nash and AmarA© Stoudemire in Phoenix. And, yes, Shaq makes the Suns better. Read more