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John Nash has come to expect the unexpected with regard to his overachieving son Steve.
"When Steve first got drafted in the NBA, I thought: 'Well, this is great -- hopefully he can have a nice career as a backup point guard,' " the senior Nash said yesterday.
"But Steve said to me: 'No, Dad, I'm going to be a starter in this league.' And I thought: 'Well, okay, what do I know about these things?' "
Steve Nash, of course, has gone on to be far more than an average NBA starter. Earlier this week the Phoenix Suns point man, who grew up in Victoria, B.C., was named the league's most valuable player.
"It was Donnie Nelson (currently the president of basketball operations for the Dallas Mavericks) who first said to us: 'Steve is going to be the NBA's first Canadian all-star,' " John Nash said. "I think that helped give Steve some extra inspiration."
Steve Nash, 31, has been an all-star three times (twice with the Mavs, once with the Suns).
"I don't think I ever heard Steve talk about the possibility of being the MVP," said John Nash, who played professional soccer in South Africa and England. "But by now we're used to him surprising us and surpassing everyone's expectations.
"I mean, just look at him out there -- he's the smallest guy," said John, motioning toward the Suns' practice court as the club was wrapping up its morning shootaround yesterday.
"Steve is a great athlete compared to the average person, but compared to the 450 people who play in the NBA, he is not a physical specimen. But through his passing and his vision and his hard work, he has achieved so much."
John Nash said he and his wife Jean have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of affection for Steve in Canada.
"The support from Canadians has been so wonderful," John Nash said. "We're very proud of him."