THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO — When Steve Nash eventually leaves basketball for good, he’ll still have plenty to do.
The 35-year-old point guard for the Phoenix Suns has developed an array of interests off the court that are as varied as his on-court skills and have taken him around the world in a hectic off-season.
But basketball remains his first love.
"This will be my 14th season, I know I’m not going to play forever, but I still love to play, it’s still my No. 1 priority every day when I wake up in the morning," Nash said. "So many of these projects I have going on are points of passion for me, so in my down time I have the opportunity to do things that are really productive and really enjoyable and make me feel good and are constructive for me.
"It’s really helped me enjoy this stage of my career, to have other things to balance basketball with."
The Victoria native was in Toronto on Thursday for the launch of LG Life’s Good FilmFest. Would-be filmmakers submit short inspirational films with a $100,000 grand prize — Nash is on the judging panel for the sports category.
"It’s a great fit for me," Nash said. "I can’t wait to see some of these films."
The FilmFest is the latest in a seemingly exhausting list of off-court activities the two-time NBA MVP has been involved in since the basketball season ended last spring.
He had a cameo on the television series "Entourage," and won $50,000 for his Steve Nash Foundation on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" He hosted some of his NBA and soccer pals in a charity soccer game earlier this summer in New York, and will host his "Showdown in Downtown" soccer game Sept. 19 in Vancouver.
He’s listed as an executive producer on Shaquille O’Neal’s reality show "Shaq vs. ?" The idea for the show, according to reports, was Nash’s originally.
He’s part of the Vancouver Whitecaps’ ownership group that was granted a spot in Major League Soccer. And he’s recently back from a trip to China, where, among other activities he donned a bandana, sport goggles and knee socks to try to slip into a pickup game incognito. His plan failed miserably in a country where he boasts a huge fan base.
The six-time NBA all-star has also proven to be as proficient at directing a film set as he is at running a basketball offence. He recently wrapped up shooting his documentary on Canadian hero Terry Fox, part of ESPN’s 30/30 series — 30 hour-long films by 30 different people in celebration of the cable network’s 30th anniversary.
"Terry Fox had such a huge impact on my life, his relentless desire and mission was something I learned a lot from as an athlete, his unselfishness and mission as a human being I learned a lot from," Nash said. "For someone that has a foundation now, I owe no small part to Terry Fox and the influence he had on me to open my eyes and look to my community as a family and look to be a part of something bigger and better than just yourself."
Fox, who lost a leg to cancer, attempted to run across Canada in 1980 but his attempt was cut short in Thunder Bay, when the cancer spread. He died the following year at the age of 22 and remains a national icon.
"He’s an amazing person, an amazing story, he just had a huge impact on my life and just digging into it and pouring over all those images and people and characters and that story has been really a pleasure to be a part of," Nash said.
The documentary is due to air in April.
Nash, who has a film production company with his cousin, film-maker Ezra Holland, said a move into the movie business was a natural for someone who grew up a bona-fide film buff.
"I always had great experiences, going to films as a kid, and I think that led me to really seeking out new films and different genres and different directors," Nash said. "At some time I crossed this line from being a spectator to being a participant.
"It’s kind of a bold leap, but somehow it’s worked. I really love film-making, and being part of a team — a lot of the same reasons I’m drawn to basketball and sports in general are there in filmmaking, and hopefully it’s something I can have as a creative outlet for many years past my basketball career."
It will be back to the business of basketball for Nash when NBA training camp opens in less than three weeks. Nash signed a two-year contract extension with the Suns earlier this summer worth US$22 million.
"I feel really fit and great and I’m excited, I’m excited for a new chance after kind of a disappointing year last year," Nash said.
The Suns missed the playoffs last season for the first time since he rejoined the team from Dallas in 2004.
And while Nash’s off-court pursuits kept him busier than he’s been in any other off-season, basketball was also front and centre. He managed to sandwich his projects around his training, and looked fit and trim during lunch with reporters Thursday, digging into a salad for his appetizer, and another one for his main course.
"That’s the biggest thing that enters my mind all day long, is basketball. I have all these other things going on, but when I go to bed at night I’m thinking, what I can do to be a better basketball player and athlete," Nash said. "When I wake up in the morning, that’s what I think about, getting a good breakfast, getting ready and getting in the car and going to the gym to train.
"When I’m done with that, I work on my other projects until the urge comes again, and then I go out in the driveway and I shoot hoops or I jump rope or I go lift weights or skateboard or do something that I feel is going to help me as a basketball player.
"I love to be an athlete, I love to train, I love to work, and I love the challenge in the NBA to try to improve as a player and compete against the world’s best, and that’s by far my No. 1 priority and what I spend the majority of my time thinking about and doing."
