PHOENIX - Because my colleague and Kings beat writer Sam Amick took a break after Saturday's road trip to Los Angeles, I was able to watch Steve Nash perform before his home crowd. His act never gets old. It's hard to believe he's 35, hampered by a sore lower back, and still playing almost 34 minutes a night with two months of the season remaining. The man is a marvel, a 6-foot-3 magician with a basketball.
His 17-assist effort against the Kings did the following:
- Kept him locked with the injured Chris Paul at a league-leading 11.1 assists per game.
- Eclipsed the Kings total number of assists (16)
- Reminded everyone again of what an exceptional point guard Kevin Johnson was.
After Nash had pierced the Kings defense with 16 dimes by the end of the third quarter, the Suns media department informed media members that he needed only four assists to become the club's all-time franchise leader in 20-assist games. Since he only played four minutes in the fourth period and only added one assist, he and KJ remain tied with seven 20-assist games. Sac's mayor holds the Suns' record for most assists in a game - 25 against San Antonio on April 16, 1994 - but in an imaginary duel between legendary Suns point guards, Nash said he likes his own chances. "Right now I think I've got him at point guard," Nash quipped. "Right now."
SCRAPPING FOR MINUTES
With Paul Westphal continuing to experiment with various combinations, the battle for playing time is intensifying. Francisco Garcia - recently activated after missing the entire season with a fractured wrist - didn't get off the bench. (Still can't figure why he started Saturday night against the Clips). Anyway, he was joined on the bench last night by Andres Nocioni, whose recent struggles certainly could't have enhanced his trade value. Additionally, Spencer Hawes committed five fouls in a mere 11 minutes.
ALSO, OF NOTE ...
Westphal rated Omri Casspi's four-point, two-rebound effort arguably "his worst of the season," and suggested that them rookies' four turnovers were reminiscent of his struggles during preseason ... I understand the necessity for spacing on offense, but as someone along press row commented during the Kings' third-quarter lull, when Casspi and the Kings other wings were dispatched to the outer reaches during another isolation sequence, "That's what I hate about the NBA." Move, move, move .... Amare Stoudemire says his first preference has always been to remain with the Suns, and now that the Feb. 18 trade deadline is passed, he's playing some of the season's best basketball. He finished with 19 points and 14 boards, including eight on the offensive end ... Not that anyone thinks of the Suns and thinks "great defense," but they held an opponent below 100 points for the third straight game. The Kings' 15-point third quarter also was an opponents season low. "I thought we did a great job," said coach Alvin Gentry. "I thought Steve (Nash) did a really good job on Tyreke (Evans). We probably did the best job that we've ever done as far as dribble penetration." ... A final thought about US Airways Arena: I haven't covered a game here for a few years, but the building remains one of the most physically appealing and functional facilities in the league. The exterior glass facade that was added a while back is stunning ...
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