Wednesday, January 03, 2007 Sayson: Meeting Steve Nash and the Suns By Homer Sayson Secondovertime
CHICAGO - As a seasoned pro who had covered countless Bulls home games, going to the United Center is no longer a big deal for me. But I feel a rush of juvenile frenzy today. I am counting the hours, eager to be at the arena. The Phoenix Suns are in town. And that my friends, is no small deal.
The Suns are arguably the most fun to watch bunch in all of basketball. They fastbreak merrily, pass the ball happily, and they shoot threes like crazy. All that amounts to 111.1 points a game, the best in the NBA.
Their 21-8 won-lost slate is second only to Dallas’ NBA-best 24-7 record, but the Suns are No.1 in field shooting percentage, 49.5, and No.1 in assists with 26.4 a contest.
Meeting Steve Nash heightens my excitement. After all, it’s not everyday when I get to talk to a two-time NBA MVP. And unlike my interview with Kobe last Dec. 19, this one doesn’t induce nervous thoughts. Nash, by most accounts, is just a regular Joe, exuding none of the intimidating aura that other superstars possess.
And then there’s the rest of the Suns, beginning with Amare Stoudamire, a 6-foot-9, 245-pound power forward with a feathery touch around the basket. There’s also Shaun Marion, nicknamed The Matrix for his effective, acrobatic ways.
Together, Stoudamire and Marion average 37.1 points and 17. 6 rebounds per game.
But the Suns are so deep in talent it’s almost unfair. It’s like giving Leo Lastimosa another microphone.
Besides Nash, Stoudamire and Marion, Phoenix also parades the versatile Boris Diaw and the ultra-explosive Leandro Barbosa, who lights the bench norming 16.3 points and 4.4 assists per game.
Still, it all comes back to Nash. He is the captain of this free-wheeling group of guys. The 10-year pro scores 20.6 points per, and he is No.1 in the NBA in assists with 11.3 a game.
When this season is said and done, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound guard could get his third consecutive MVP title, a feat last accomplished by Larry Bird from 194 to 1986.
But the Bulls won’t just lie down without a fight. So this Suns game could be a dandy. You’d have to be either dumb or numb not to be excited about it.
KOBE QUESTIONS. My interview with Kobe drew a lot of response e-mail questions, like this one from Lyndon Llido (gmail.com), “I will have to make peace with Kobe from now on, right?”
It’s up to you, Lyndon. Mine was a personal choice, one that doesn’t attempt persuade my readers to change whatever adverse feelings they have toward the Lakers star.
Jim Christian Akiatan asks: “What’s the story with Kobe changing jerseys from No. 8 to No. 24?” No one really knows for sure. But one of the theories laid out there is that one was added one to Michael Jordan’s No. 23, suggesting that Kobe is better than Michael.
From JA Chiang of (juantamad06@gmail.com): “I envy you, Homer. It’s always a dream of mine to meet Kobe”
Even in my wildest dreams, I never thought I would see a live NBA game. But as it turned out, I now go to Bulls homes games regularly, visit team locker rooms and talk to the players. Life is full of surprises, JA, so keep the faith.
