Steve Nash did not need a planner to organize his summer basketball.
This is the entirety of Nash's hoops games for the past three months:
• July 22, Steve Nash Foundation Charity Classic. advertisement
• Monday, some pickup action at US Airways Center.
You sure couldn't tell that Nash's game had been on ice from the way he was schooling whichever ex-college player tried guarding him Monday, when the Suns' informal workouts began.
A summer circuit of workouts, occasional shooting and two soccer leagues in New York City had Nash saying that his body felt "great" Monday. The two-time MVP's health is always a concern for Suns fans who sweat their point guard's age (32) and back condition.
"I can't sit still," Nash said. "I stay in shape. The older you get, some people think you need to take time off. I almost think less time off. You don't have to kill yourself but stay in shape because if you lose your legs, it's hard to get them back."
But for two World Cup trips, Nash laid summer roots with his family in their Tribeca home in New York. Even there, he was already on an elliptical trainer as he watched the NBA Finals.
That Finals series is where he longs to be. He thinks the summer changes can make the club's first title happen but can't help but think it already could have.
"It's really hard to think how unlucky we were in a lot of ways last year," Nash said. "Obviously, Amaré (Stoudemire) would've made a huge difference but if Raja (Bell) is 100 percent for the Dallas series, I like our chances a little bit. We were winning at halftime of every game and he basically played, what, most of one game at 100 percent."
Nash said he tried to get "a little younger" in New York as he hopped on subways and played attacking midfielder for two soccer teams - one Italian squad and another of ex-college players.
"Some guys become better golfers in the summer; I feel like I became a better soccer player," Nash said. "It was a lot of fun. I think I got in really good shape and I feel healthy."
Nash was joined Monday by four Suns, including his protégé, Marcus Banks, and Eric Piatkowski. Jumaine Jones was on hand but limited by a second-degree ankle sprain.
Stoudemire gave onlookers a couple flashback moments with an alley-oop finish and a spin move capped by a dunk.
Good for Nash and the Suns that they got Marcus Banks as a backup. Banks is good enough to start for some teams, and should be able to imitate nash for brief stretches
Nash Sharp After Summer
