Dime Q&A: Steve Nash Previews His All-Star Soccer “Showdown” & Speaks On Dwight Howard’s Soccer Skills

Steve Nash (photo. Indochino)

The Steve Nash Foundation will be putting on their Sixth Annual All-Star Soccer Showdown Wednesday, June 26 in New York City and for the first time ever, a game will also take place in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, July 14. The Showdowns benefit the programs of the Steve Nash Foundation, assisting underserved children in their health and education, with a specific focus on early childhood education and child abuse research and prevention.

There’s no telling what NBA and international soccer stars will show up this year. Previous Showdown rosters have included international NBA and professional soccer players Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs), Jason Kidd (recently hired by the Brooklyn Nets as a head coach), Chris Bosh (Miami Heat), Grant Hill, Brandon Jennings (Milwaukee Bucks), Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls), Salomon Kalou (Lille), Claudio Reyna (USA World Cup Team), Robbie Rogers (LA Galaxy), Patrick Vieira (Manchester City), Emmerson Boyce (Wigan), Giuseppe Rossi (Fiorentina) and Javier Zanetti (Inter).

We caught up with the two-time NBA MVP and L.A. Lakers point guard in a conference call yesterday afternoon to talk event details, injury rehab, Dwight Howard‘s soccer skills and Jason Kidd.

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Question: At the end of the season, you were dealing with a lot of injuries — are you going to be participating in both of these events?
Steve Nash: Yeah, I absolutely plan on playing in both. I’m still rehabbing right now but with a few weeks left I should be good to go and plan on playing in both.

Q: I know a lot of big names show up to these events sort of unannounced. Do you have any idea on who some of this years participants may be?
SN: There are a few players announced. It’s always kind of a moving thing. It always kind of comes through. Right now, I couldn’t really announce or say what international soccer stars are coming but every year we managed to get a few so I wish I had more info for you. I know it’s kind of a tricky one for the media because everyone would like to talk about what the event is going to be like this year instead of saying who’s been there the past, but the truth is, we really do every year get a number of international soccer stars the week of the event. Some of the great things about it that the European and South American players love to come to the States that time of year for vacation and they also find it really enjoyable to get involved in something in the States but also to meet and play with NBA players. I don’t really want to give any names right now but stay tuned.

Q: Is there any hope on your part to grow the Showdown so that you’d have a game out in Vancouver or somewhere else in Canada?
SN: We have had one in Vancouver four years ago that was a lot of fun and a success but right now, we’re trying to concentrate on just really building and growing the ones we have to date, but you never know. I wouldn’t say that it would never happen or that it’s impossible, so we’d love to at some point do it in Canada again.

Q: Is there anything new or different that you guys are adding to the game this year that’s maybe different from past events?
SN: Not really. I mean the major difference is that we’re doing it for the first time in L.A. so really would like to see the type of atmosphere and how the event comes off in L.A. You know, I mean obviously New York has been a tremendous backdrop and character in our game and the atmosphere of the fans is what really made it become a really special summer event in New York. So I’m really excited to see what L.A. is like this year but the format has been really fun. We’ve really tried to keep it going and keep the event the way it has been because people have really enjoyed it.

Q: Can you maybe expand a little on what the format is?
SN: Basically it’s just 30 or 35 minute halves depending on the day and how hot it is, and how it’s going, or the weather or if it’s rainy or whatever. It’s eight-a-side and we try to keep it pretty pure. We just mix up the teams between soccer and basketball players and try to get pretty even teams and try to make it as entertaining as possible. And it’s just a fun exhibition game. You know, we try to win and I think that it makes it a lot of fun and makes it really entertaining to see guys trying out there.

Keep reading to hear what Nash thinks about Jason Kidd the coach…

Steve Nash (photo. Dove Men+Care)

Q: Can you give me an idea of how your game is as a soccer player and also you said that you’re almost done rehabbing. Do you have every expectation of being healthy next year and at full strength with no restrictions?
SN: I’m definitely, you know, fighting every day to get back to a percent and think I’ll hopefully be able to play in both showdown events, but most importantly, by the time the season comes around I expect to be a hundred percent and in a position to have a great year. As far as how I play in soccer, I’d say it’s pretty similar to basketball. Leandro Barbosa, my former teammate, who has played in the Showdown before a number of times, says I play soccer exactly how I play basketball. You know, I love to pass and be a playmaker but I’m not afraid to shoot when I get the opportunity.

Q: What is the most rewarding part of putting on an event like the Showdown year after year for you?
SN: Well it’s two-fold. First and foremost, to be able to raise money or to do something for a great cause. It’s what makes it so worthwhile and what makes the event want to go on, year after year. But, to be able to do an event that does have longevity and that lasts, it’s got to be a lot of fun and I think that’s what’s made the Showdown in New York and hopefully this year in L.A. a lot of fun is the atmosphere. I think it’s a cool format. It’s different, you know? It’s not in a stadium. It’s just in a park on the street. You know, you’ve got some international sports stars just playing it like in a regular park where everyone else plays, so that’s exciting. But also the fact that you have NBA players and international soccer players playing soccer together is cool and the fact that there’s a lot of action and excitement. There’s a lot going on instead of being in a big stadium or on a full field where the ball is in the air or out of bounds half the time.

Q: Will there be any overlap between the players in New York and L.A.?
SN: That’s a good question. I don’t think there will be too much overlap. Frankly, I think for the most part there will be different rosters.

Q: Who would you want to get if you could get one international soccer star?
SN: Messi, for sure.

Q: You’ve been known to play in a lot of pickup games in New York City. What have been some of the lifestyle changes as far as street soccer players in New York and L.A.?
SN: Well, I haven’t really had a chance to play or get into the soccer community much in L.A. yet since I moved there like the day before training camp so I haven’t immersed myself in it yet but hopefully that will come in the coming years.

Q: If Dwight Howard was to show up to either the LA or New York game where would you want him to play?
SN: I think Dwight would be best served in goal but maybe he could surprise me out on the field a little bit.

Q: Seeing as you’re new haircut is kind of European soccer-esque, have you seen any positive results on the soccer pitch because of that?
SN: Wow, European soccer haircut? Maybe you’re giving my hair cut more credit than it deserves, but I’ll take it. I haven’t played soccer yet as I’ve been rehabbing so we’ll see. Hopefully it’ll pay off for me.

Q: You’ve carved out a Hall of Fame career. Why a soccer match to generate funds to help kids that need a lot of help in different areas instead of a basketball game?
SN: Well I did have a charity basketball game for a number of years in Canada that was a big success. You know, I think I just kind of maybe got a little stale with it and then soccer was my first love and it’s a huge passion of mine. And my parents are British. They grew up in a huge soccer household. You know, my first word was “goal.” So the game has always been really important to me. It never really left me so to be able to be in a position to bring international soccer players to play in the game is like a dream come true. I just thought that it was too unique of an opportunity and too much fun to pass up.

Q: What are your thoughts on Jason Kidd being a future coach in the NBA?
SN: I think Jason [will] be a fantastic coach. I think he’s been a coach on the floor his whole career and you know, he’s played a long time and has I think, not only a great acumen for the game but maybe a special position in that he would draw great respect from the players. I think he [will] be a great NBA coach.

What do you think?

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