Bad Game 3 doesn't vex Nash
SAN ANTONIO - The parallels would have been more frightening for the Suns had the case study not been Steve Nash.
Nash was coming off a poor shooting performance in Game 3, when he missed his first nine shots and wound up 6 for 17 from the field. Nash, who shot a career-best 53.2 percent this year, had not shot less than 40 percent in consecutive games since Games 3 and 4 of last year's second round, also on the road but in Los Angeles against the Los Angeles Clippers .
Nash found little to be discouraged about in his Game 3 performance, keeping his optimism high for his usual bounce-back game.
"I had a really poor first half (in Game 3) and couldn't make any shots," Nash said Monday before the game. "Third quarter, missed a couple layups. But really, if you look at it, I'm a three going in and out and a couple layups away from having 20-some odd points and shooting over 50 percent. It's not really that far off. You've got to just be aggressive and mentally strong. Your shots aren't going to go every night, so you have to be prepared to do whatever it takes to help your team no matter what happens with your shooting."
Entering Monday, Nash had shot below 40 percent in six regular-season games and one playoff game. In ensuing games, he shot 54.6 percent.
The first quarter Monday reflected Nash's bounce-back ability. He hit all three field-goal tries and his lone free-throw attempt.
"I think he says, 'Oops, I had an off-game,' and that doesn't happen very often," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "That's why he's the best player out there . . . It doesn't affect him at all. He'll come back and figure out what he wants to do a little bit better and try to get back on his game."
Nash entered Game 4 shooting a mortal 44.5 percent for the playoffs but had bumped his assists to 13.1 per game in the postseason.
He said the off nights do not eat at him like they once did. Nash used to have midnight practice sessions after disappointing games when he first got to Dallas and was booed by the home fans.
"I handle it during the game better as well as after the game," Nash said. "I have a better perspective. It just happens. It wasn't because I wanted to play poorly and hurt my team. Sometimes, the ball doesn't go in for you.
"I try to do other things and be there for my teammates. It just wasn't a typical game."
The Spurs went with more of a mix defending Nash in Game 3 when Tony Parker started on him and Bruce Bowen took the task for most of the final three quarters.
"It's all we can do," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "He's a fantastic player. Our hope is to limit him as much as we can. We know we can't stop him.
"One guy can't play him all night long. It's too much to ask."
See more at www.azcentral.com
|
