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Phoenix Suns: Steve Nash Earns His Rightful Place In Ring Of Honor

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 30, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash during his induction into the Suns Ring of Honor speech during half time at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash during his induction into the Suns Ring of Honor speech during half time at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 30, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash (R) smiles alongside former coach Mike D’Antoni (L) while being inducted into the Suns Ring of Honor during half time at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

Nash’s Time For Reflection

There are much better times that stick in Nash’s memory now, even though he can’t pick one specific moment, play, playoff series or even season that was his favorite because “it all blends together now.” Still, the overall importance of his time in Phoenix is not lost on him.

“We played a style of basketball I think — people the world over have stopped me in the streets all over the globe and said, ‘I loved watching you guys play, the Phoenix Suns,'” he said. “That’s not a championship, but it’s incredibly rewarding to think that we touched people in that way.”

That was never more obvious than Nash’s final game in a Suns uniform, when the crowd, sensing that it could be the end of an era, chanted “WE WANT STEVE! WE WANT STEVE!” for minutes on end until head coach Alvin Gentry finally obliged and gave Nash his final curtain call. It was a complete turnaround from the boos he heard on draft day 16 years before.

Friday night at the newly named Talking Stick Resort Arena, the soldout crowd was the loudest it had been since that April night in 2012.

But even with the team sporting socks bearing his face, even with the fans chanting “MVP!” and even with the whole night being devoted to his unmistakable legacy in Phoenix, Steve Nash never made it about him.

In fact, prior to the halftime ceremonies, Nash almost seemed to be trying to talk himself into enjoying the evening for what it was.

“I downplay everything and I deflect,” he said. “I have a hard time really kind of accepting, in some ways, my successes. And I’ve worked really hard at it and I should try to enjoy tonight and enjoy what we did. It’s not easy for me, I really struggle with being comfortable being applauded in a way.”

No one would’ve blamed him for looking at the induction ceremony in such a bittersweet way. After all, it was only in March that Nash announced his retirement from the game of basketball, leaving him with memories of terrific teammates and wonderful relationships, but no championship ring.

Seven months later, he watched as a placard with his face and number was unveiled, revealing the newest member of the Suns Ring of Honor. It was a happy occasion, but it was also another unofficial goodbye to his time as an NBA player.

Next: Nash The Teammate

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