A Nash-D’Antoni Reunion in NY Seems Possible

Curious pairing of quotes in today’s rumors pages, coming from the mouth of Steve Nash. First, from The Arizona Republic:↵↵⇥“I feel like I’ve been traded. I feel like I’m on a different team because everything’s changed so much around here. We have a lot of differences now after quite a bit of stability but change can really be positive. Amidst that recent chaos could come strong order. We’re all optimistic but it’s a strange point with Mike [D’Antoni] coming and all the changes.”↵↵That would be on the occasion of D’Antoni’s Knicks showing up in Phoenix, with Nash perhaps being reminded all that he’s left behind, and just maybe, how much he and D’Antoni needed each other to sniff true greatness. Or immortality, which probably smells stronger.↵
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Then, this one from The Daily News, when Nash was asked about a possible reunion with Coach D in 2010:↵↵⇥“It’s so far away. I think if you start thinking about that, you can get yourself in trouble. I’ve got enough on my plate here trying to be as big a contributor and help this team be as successful as possible, especially amidst the transition (from D’Antoni to new coach Terry Porter). I can’t afford the time to worry about 2010 yet. Maybe in 2010, June, I’m sure it’ll be important to me, but right now I’ve got a lot of important things to worry about.”↵↵The two-time MVP goes on to fondly remember the past as the past, big up the Knicks on account of D’Antoni’s skills alone, and throw some faint praise Chris Duhon’s way. What’s key here is that, with the Suns in double-transition (no, the pun doesn’t work these days), all of a sudden Nash’s future has become the latest faint storyline to entice reporters. And the drumbeat will only quicken. Not to say that Nash isn’t trying like the dickens with the Suns, or New York even wants him all that bad.↵
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↵But you don’t have to squint much to see this scenario coming true. Certainly, it’s as plausible, if not moreso, than LeBron to the Knicks. And while it may not alter the balance of the league forever, the closer we get to 2010, the more Nash will have to answer these questions -- especially if the Suns continue to have him looking back to the past and over to the other side of the fence. Even if, to you and me, it sounds like mere diplomacy.↵