Starting in Vegas summer league, you can follow me with updates on Twitter.
By MARC BERMAN
Here is a great question. Would D’Antoni prefer Nash or Kidd to run the point guard for the next three years? Obviously, Steve Nash would love to beat Kidd to New York.
The day before the draft, Nash told our Brian Lewis at a Soho soccer event:
“Obviously I love New York City; I’m making this my home. Mike D’Antoni is one of my favorite coaches. So in a lot of ways it’d be amazing. But it’s not simple; a lot of stuff has to go right for me to be in New York. And I’m happy in Phoenix. We’ll see what happens.”
What has to “go right” for Nash is getting waived by Phoenix this summer – a possibility since the Suns can save a lot of dough on his guarantee in his final year. The relentless Tommy Dee came up with this gem – Nash speaking yesterday in suburban Vancouver for the opening of his health club.
Nash said his agent Bill Duffy would meet with Phoenix GM Steve Kerr next week. Presumably to talk contract extension but also to talk about the possibility of being waived so the Suns can take advantage of the clause that saves the Suns money on Nash’s final year. Nash also raised the possibility of a trade, not happening with the Knicks.
On reuniting with D’Antoni, Nash said, “I would preface it by saying that I love Phoenix and that’s what I’m focusing on right now. But I live in New York City, and I love it there, and [Knicks head coach] Mike D’Antoni was one of my favorite coaches. If it didn’t work out in Phoenix, obviously that would be a place I’d consider…”
Nash or Kidd in D’Antoni’s fantasy world? Who has more left in the tank? Kidd is the better defender, is bigger and friendlier with LeBron. Nash is the much better shooter. Both still can play up tempo. Kidd is more high maintenance. Just ask the Nets.
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Looking forward to seeing if 2007 first-rounder Morris Almond has anything to bring at summer league. The Knicks hold their first practice July 11 and face Memphis July 14th. Wrote today Knicks hope to sign him for next season if he performs up to snuff in Vegas. He’s 6-6 and is a renowned outside shooter and the Knicks are trying to catch lightning in a bottle. Utah didn’t pick up his option because it has too many wing players, Korver, Miles, Brewer, Harpring. Almond played in just 25 games last season but played a lot in D-League. Walsh still tried to trade for him last season. Coming out of Rice, scouts were using Allan Houston as a comparison. He has the same agent as Grant Hill. Package deal? I just like his name for headline writers, starting with today’s gem “Knicks nuts about Almond.”