By now he's a familiar character in New York's downtown soccer crew— the floppy-haired guy, just a term paper taller than six feet, sweating on the turf below Delancey on steamy summer nights. He brings game—it's obvious; watch his quick feet— but what might not be so clear is that this playground soccer guy, the one pushing the ball upfield and later buying beers at the bar, is also a two-time NBA MVP.

This is how Steve Nash likes to spend his off-season vacation: quietly in New York City, in unpretentious parks like the one at Chrystie and Stanton Streets, playing soccer on cramped fields with friends who run for kicks instead of money. One of the best point guards ever is a footballer at heart, a Canadian born into a family of Tottenham Hotspur supporters, and when his basketball seasons in Phoenix conclude, he can't wait find his way back to a narrow New York pitch.

"The atmosphere is just amazing," Nash said on Wednesday. "You have these little seven, eight-on-a-side fields with a chain-link fence and streets on both sides. There's an intimacy—so many people in the city happen by the field, and just stop to watch."

Nash competes for two city soccer clubs—one affiliated with the communications firm The Promotion Factory, and another sponsored by Phebe's, the East Village bar. While his colleagues know about Nash's high-visibility winter job, "there's no pretense or inequality when I'm out there. We're teammates."
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Nash has long been an influential advocate for soccer. He's an original investor in the Women's Professional Soccer league, which began play in 2009. Last year he travelled to the World Cup in South Africa to work for CBS. And at 6 p.m. on June 22 at Sara D. Roosevelt Park, Nash will host the fourth New York edition of the Showdown in Chinatown, an all-star soccer game benefitting the Steve Nash Foundation, which provides health and education services to children in need.

This year's game, sponsored by Ortsbo, a social media translation company, will feature NBA players such as Tony Parker, Brandon Jennings and Nash's Phoenix Suns teammates Grant Hill and Jared Dudley. There will be soccer pros, too—Nash is hoping to recruit a few former members of the U.S. National Team. (Any civilian can come watch for free, and if you really want to play, there are two slots available at stevenash.org—$20,000 a piece.)

As for basketball, Nash confessed he wasn't watching Tuesday when his friend Dirk Nowitzki poured in 48 as Dallas beat Oklahoma City in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals. "He's seven games away from a championship." Nash said. "Hopefully he can do it." Nash also said he was pleased by the positive reception given to Suns president Rick Welts, who recently revealed he is gay. "I was proud of Rick for coming forward," he said. "It's a barrier we needed to break down."

Nash, who is 37, has a year left on his contract in Phoenix, but that hasn't stopped rumblings that he could soon find himself playing elsewhere—even here.

"I try to focus on Phoenix and next year and not worry beyond that," Nash said. "Obviously I love New York City. There's been a lot of talk about me going to the Knicks, but for me, I just concentrate on this year. But I am excited for New York, and how they have a very talented roster. The Garden is kind of electric again."

Nash has switched over to soccer mode for the summer. He said he thought it was "great" that LeBron James recently purchased a stake in the Liverpool Football Club. He's also picking Barcelona over Manchester United in the Champions League final on May 28. "Manchester United has had a terrific year, but Barcelona plays the best football I've ever seen in my life," he said.

But Nash is mostly looking forward to returning to those small rectangles downtown, where no one's getting rich or famous, and the guy passing you the ball on the carpet is just a dude named Steve.

"It's a million miles away from Madison Square Garden," Nash said.

Write to Jason Gay at jason.gay@wsj.com

GoNyGoNyGo wrote:Trade Billups for Nash, straight up. Phoenix gets younger and a shorter contract. NY gets the better PG.

Nash is cheaper, better, and puts fans in the seats. No way PHO trades him unless they get knocked over with an offer.

GoNyGoNyGo wrote:Trade Billups for Nash, straight up. Phoenix gets younger and a shorter contract. NY gets the better PG.

LOL, thats funny. (where is the rolling laughing smilie?)

Nash knows the offense, so he is a better PG for this team than Billups. He is older but in great shape. I think he can play, like Stockton, did until 40+.

Billups may be better defensively, but I think Nash would mean more wins for the team.

Phoenix is not giving up Gortat. If they do, do the deal now. I am not crazy about Frye, but he can shoot it pretty well. He lacks D and Rebounding though. Looking at Frye's contract (who signed him to that deal?), I would bet they would love to unload him.

When healthy, Billups is a good player and can lead the team. I worry about his health. Nash has proven to be a sturdy player. He does not miss too much time. On the court, he is more of PG than Billups. Worse defensively but at the same time puts more pressure on the opposing D.

I would probably agree that Phoenix would not make the deal. HOwever, Nash can ask them too, if he demands a deal they may do it. But, like you say, they would probably want to unload Frye, which makes a salary match tough.

knicks1248 wrote:

GoNyGoNyGo wrote:

Phoenix is not giving up Gortat. If they do, do the deal now. I am not crazy about Frye, but he can shoot it pretty well. He lacks D and Rebounding though. Looking at Frye's contract (who signed him to that deal?), I would bet they would love to unload him.

When healthy, Billups is a good player and can lead the team. I worry about his health. Nash has proven to be a sturdy player. He does not miss too much time. On the court, he is more of PG than Billups. Worse defensively but at the same time puts more pressure on the opposing D.

I would probably agree that Phoenix would not make the deal. HOwever, Nash can ask them too, if he demands a deal they may do it. But, like you say, they would probably want to unload Frye, which makes a salary match tough.

Give me nash any day of the week over billups...

In billups most recent interview he was ask what he has plan, he said he was going to relax and get healthy..
Nash (who's 2yrs older) will be playng organize soccer...

Think about that...

Yup. Nash I think can play 5 more years. He is like one of those really old players in a pickup game that can still embarass you.