Nash Still A Fan Of Dallas

While his return to Dallas this season ended with a disappointing injury in the first quarter, Steve Nash (left) says he still considers the place he grew as a player a home away from home - over seven seasons after leaving the Mavericks via free agency. (AP Photo/Matt York)

After a great ovation from Mavericks' fans during pregame introductions, not many people in the arena expected to bust out another ovation for Suns' point guard Steve Nash in a matchup between conference rivals Friday night.

Unfortunately, and unexpectedly, the two-time MVP went down with a scary injury in the first quarter; prompting another round of cheers as Nash was able walk back to the locker room after having no feeling in his arms and legs for 10 long seconds.

Luckily, Nash told me he felt no lingering effects after the game and hopes to play early next week pending doctor's approval. Bouncing-back from injuries is nothing new for the 14-year vet, something he's proved time and time again throughout his career.

Coming into the 2010-2011 season, Nash has been the epitome of consistency and durability.


Over the last 10 seasons Nash has started at least 70 games per year, at least 73 in the last seven years with Phoenix and has played 79 or more games five time in that span. Nash, who was averaging over 18 points and 10.5 assists on over 51 percent shooting this season coming into the contest vs Dallas, attributes his longevity to strong discipline and a love for the game.

"I really still enjoy it," Nash said of playing in the NBA. "I work hard. I try to sacrifice to keep playing, and try to stay fit and able. I think the key is discipline."

At 6'3 and 178 pounds, the self-proclaimed gym rat has had to work hard to keep his game from slipping after all these years. In fact, since leaving Dallas after the 2002-2003 season, Nash has taken his game to a higher level.

During the course of winning back-to-back MVP's, Nash has shot at least 50 percent from the field, 43 percent from 3-point range and 88 percent from the line in each of his first six seasons with the Suns. A true point guard in every since of the term, Nash has also led the NBA in assists four times during this span - finishing no lower than third in the league in assists per game - while averaging 17 points per contest.

Through it all, seven-plus seasons after leaving the Mavericks and transforming himself into a legitimate MVP-level player year in, year out; Nash still misses the Dallas-area - a place he still feels is a home away from home.

"I have a lot of great feelings about this place. It's an important part of my career and my life." Nash said. "I love it here and I'm sad that I couldn't stay forever.

"But it's a long time in the past now."

While it seems to difficult to imagine, a former member of the Big-Three for six seasons in Dallas, Nash has now played seven straight in Phoenix - nine years total to make up the bulk of his career.

News and Notes:

• Speaking of the Suns: the team pulled off a blockbuster deal this afternoon; sending Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu and Earl Clark to the Orlando Magic for Vince Carter, Marcin Gortat, Mickael Pietrus and a 2011 first round pick. This gives Phoenix a center presence in the middle that they've been lacking all season long, brings back a scorer in Carter, and offsets the loss of little-used free agent bust Turkoglu for a 3-point sharpshooter in Pietrus.