NBA star Steve Nash, who grew up in Victoria and became one of the greatest players in professional basketball, announced his retirement on Friday. He is credited with changing the game by the way he played, but he is also known for the example he set both on and off the court. He has inspired a generation of young players, especially Canadians.
Here are some of the reactions to news of his retirement.
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Nash opened up the game and he opened up minds. He spawned a new generation of point guards, the ones that emulated Nash's celebrated skills. He became a fan favorite to millions, helping the league shake off its post-Jordan blues.
He accomplished as much as anyone who never won a championship, and he made the NBA a much better place.
That's his lasting legacy, in Phoenix and beyond.
鈥� Dan Bickley,
The Arizona Republic
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It鈥檚 a token of faith that Nash redefined basketball in this country, inspired a generation of Canadians, and will oversee what could be a golden generation at sa国际传媒 Basketball. There is an argument that he is the greatest Canadian athlete ever, if only because sa国际传媒 was destined to produce the greatest hockey player of all-time. Producing a two-time MVP in the world鈥檚 second-most populous sport? Unthinkable. The argument includes Lionel Conacher, Wayne Gretzky, Donovan Bailey, Terry Fox. And it includes Nash.
鈥� Bruce Arthur, Toronto Star
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Never won a title; never made the finals. Yet no less a teacher of teenagers than Hall of Fame high school coach Bob Hurley Sr. uses Nash鈥檚 workout videos 鈥� just the point guard alone in a gym, dribbling and firing up as many shots as he can in a fixed time period 鈥� as an annual learning tool.
As legacies go, championships aside, what鈥檚 better than that?
鈥� Harvey Araton, New York Times
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Today, when an NBA player dribbles down the lane toward the hoop, then keeps dribbling past it and back out again before finding an open teammate or an open shot, he has done a Steve Nash.
Watching the 6-foot-3 point guard from Victoria dissect the Toronto Raptors from the nosebleeds at Air sa国际传媒 Centre several years ago, it was that play that still stands out in the mind. ...
The Steve Nash, the move, was a perfect encapsulation of Steve Nash the player: driving forward, always dribbling, working until the right opportunity presented itself. He was a joy to watch.
鈥� Scott Stinson, National Post
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Nash wasn鈥檛 even supposed to last in the league, let alone post all-time great numbers. What he has done should be appreciated, especially by Canadians.
鈥� Ryan Wolstat, Toronto Sun
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[I appreciated] his unselfish play, the way he plays pass-first. Just his overall demeanour; he鈥檚 a good man. His heart is in the right place. He鈥檚 about the team; he鈥檚 about winning. There is not a selfish bone in his body.
鈥� Toronto Raptors coach Dwane Casey
I mean he鈥檚 Steve. His message resonates with basketball players. It鈥檚 a powerful thing when he comes calling.
鈥� Rowan Barrett, assistant general manager of sa国际传媒鈥檚 national team
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Steve Nash exemplifies the values of hard work, team spirit and giving back.
鈥� sa国际传媒 Premier Christy Clark
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I think a lot of today鈥檚 players come into the league expecting to play and feeling entitled to opportunity.
If you look back at Steve鈥檚 career, he wasn鈥檛 given that back at the beginning 鈥�
It was remarkable the career he put together, the success he had individually and how he led his teams.
鈥� New York Knicks coach
Derek Fisher
