--Steve Nash hit four of his seven shots and both of his free throws in the season finale to make it official as he became the first player in NBA history to shoot at least 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from three-point range and 90 percent from the free throw line in three different seasons.
At 35, Nash has taken a step back from his back-to-back MVP form but remains the face of the franchise. Nash has said he wants to return and sees himself playing for more seasons. And since the Suns have spent half a decade looking for a decent backup for Nash, the prospect of replacing him isn't an attractive one. "I think Steve has several good years left in him," Suns GM Steve Kerr said. "He's still playing at a very high level. He's under contract through next year, which is great. I've said many times that I want him to end his career here, and he's got a lot of good basketball left in him."
--Grant Hill finished his first 82-game season at age 36 and did it in grand style with 27 points and 10 rebounds in a win over the Warriors.
"Honestly, there were times in 2002 and 2003 (when injuries limited him to a combined 43 games) when I didn't know if I'd ever play again," Hill said. "So to play in all 82 games, to be there, it's kind of like I said before, you may not be the smartest kid but you have the perfect attendance."
Hill is a free agent at the end of the season and has said he wants to return to Phoenix. But if Hill is looking for a raise beyond the $1.8 million he made the last two seasons and wants the mid-level exception -- which other teams figure to be willing to pay -- the Suns can't afford to keep him around.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I don't see a massive overhaul being necessary. We won 46 games in a season in which we endured a lot of turmoil from the coaching situation to the injury to Amare (Stoudemire) to a pretty big trade midseason. We had a lot of change and we won 46 games. Ninety percent of the time that's enough to make the playoffs. I know all of us around the (locker) room feel like that 46 should've been about 52-53. I have no doubt this team is a very competitive playoff-caliber team. Unfortunately, we didn't make it, but that doesn't mean we're going to blow up the team and start over. It also doesn't mean that there won't be changes. We have to evaluate everything. We have to get better." -- Suns general manager Steve Kerr.
