Hooped Up

Steve Nash enjoys the All-Star Game, but not all of the side events which eat into an opportunity for him to get a break during the regular season.

“We kind of get screwed,” Nash said. “I told them the last two years that I would do it for them. Two years ago, I said, ‘OK, I’ll do it for you this time. It’s the last time. I’m never going to do it again because I’ve done it almost every year of my career.’ And then the next year, they said, ‘you’ve got to do it because you have to defend,’ so I begrudgingly did it. Now, they’re saying it’s the collective bargaining agreement so I have to do it.

“It’s already difficult enough on my wife and kids that we’re always on the road as it is. So then for our one break to be even more busy than we are during the regular season is difficult. Obviously, on the other hand, it’s a huge honor. The game is outstanding and being around the best players and coaches is still an experience I’ll never forget.”

Arizona Republic