Canada - Steve Nash hardly showing his age

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Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash is up to his old tricks again.

The Victoria, B.C., native turns 36-years old in February but he's hardly showing his age; leading the way for his team who tied their best start in franchise history with a victory over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.

Nash had another major performance at the Air Canada Center, scoring 20 points with 16 assists - one more assist than the entire Toronto team. He came into the contest averaging an NBA-high and career-best 12.1 assists.

"I still really love to play with this team, still love my teammates and I love this game," Nash said. "It takes a lot of preparation as you get older to stay fit and stay in sharp, so there's a lot of sacrifice. I'm willing to do that because I love playing, I love winning and I love being a part of the team."

Suns head coach Alvin Gentry wasn't surprised by Nash's performance, saying it's on par with what they expect from him.

"I would say it's amazing if I hadn't been around him in the last five years," said Gentry. "I don't think anything he does amazes the other guys on the team or the coaching staff because he takes such great care of himself and his preparation from the mental standpoint is just so great."

Gentry even want as far as saying that there isn't another guard in the NBA that he'd trade Nash for.

"Everybody's going to think I'm crazy when I say this: I wouldn't trade him for any guard in the league. The way we play and what we want to do, he's my guy."

Nash responded with a chuckle; "That's really sweet of the old guy but I'm sure if they offered Chris Paul, he'd kick me out the door," laughed Nash. "Good one, Alvin!"

Nash continues to kick out assists as the NBA leader and knocking down shots, dishing out 205 in 17 games. The 6-foot-3 guard is averaging 16.4 ppg, 53% FG, 44% 3FG and 94% FT in 32.4 mpg.

He is flashing the form that earned Captain Canada back-to-back MVP titles in 2005 and 2006 and quickly erasing memories of a forgetful and injury plagued 2007-08 season.

"He's a fun guy to play with, whether he's scoring or assisting," Suns forward Grant Hill said. "Whatever he's doing out there is helping our ball club and he gets the thing going. He's Kid Canada."

Nash, a former Canadian National Team standout, has donned his national colours 99 times, beginning in 1991 when he was part of the squad that won a silver medal at the World University Games. He led Canada in the 2003 FIBA America Olympic Qualifying Tournament, winning MVP honours. In 2005, he received Canada Basketball's highest award, the Dr. James Naismith Award of Excellence.

But Nash's days wearing the maple leaf are now behind him, announcing last September that he wouldn't play at next summer's 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey and reiterated that his international career is likely finished.

Coming back to play on Canadian soil has always been special to Nash. He poured in 23 points against the Raptors the last time the Suns visited back in November and his three-point play with 38.9 seconds left in the fourth proved to be the difference. The Suns have won 11 in a row against the Raptors, who have lost the last five matchups as the host in this series.

"Its one night out of 82 when you step on the floor but it's definitely more special than that with all the obvious things surrounding the game," Nash said of playing in Canada. "My history here, not only as a Canadian but spending many summers here with the National team, this feels like a home away from home for me. And the incredible support and reception I get from people in Toronto and the Raptors fans is overwhelming. It's a special game for me; I wish we could play here more than once."

Members of the Raptors didn't mix words when describing Nash's performance over the weekend.

"Steve is Steve, probably the best passer in the league," Bosh said nonchalantly. "He's been like that for a while. He's always going to be aggressive and making shots, that's what he does. I think he can play until he's 40-something. I think he can play until he wants to stop."