Post by Aubrey Graham on May 17, 2012 18:47:21 GMT
On Wednesday, Phoenix point guard Steve Nash played his last game in a Suns uniform Wednesday, in front of an adoring home crowd who chanted his name as they wondered if he’s put on the Suns’ uniform for the last time.
“It was obviously amazing to get that type of reception and support,” said Nash, who has played eight seasons for the Suns, including winning two MVPs with the club. “It’s very special because it’s not something I asked for or imagined to get that type of spontaneous reaction. It means it’s authentic, the relationship that I thought we had.”
Gentry said he put Nash back in the game to get the ovation he deserved.
“He was a guy that made guys better,” said Gentry, who was with the Suns for all eight of Nash’s seasons, either as an assistant or head coach. “It was fun to watch him play and to be with him for eight years, and what he has accomplished here, and what he has done for this franchise and for my coaching career, is priceless.”
Nash had ten points and eight assists in 34 minutes, all of his points coming in the third quarter. The two-time league MVP left the game with 3:08 to go in the third quarter and probably would have stayed on the sideline had the crowd not demanded his return.
As he left the court the final time to cheers, Nash looked down but waved his right index finger briefly to the crowd.
Nash has been the face of the franchise since his return to Phoenix in 2004 revived the club and led to three conference finals appearances and two league MVP awards. He finished the season second in the NBA in assists (10.7 per game) and with a 53.2 shooting percentage that was the best of any NBA point guard in six years.
“I don't know if there's another guy out there who has done more for his team,” Gentry said.