One of the NBA's most creative players thinks basketball can learn something from the Beautiful Game.
Playing on the hardwood may seem like a world away from a soccer pitch. But Steve Nash, the two-time NBA most valuable player, believes a strong soccer background has helped some of basketball's best international players.
"For me, I'm heavily influenced in soccer," Nash said Tuesday during a telephone conference call from Treviso, Italy, where the Phoenix Suns are holding their training camp. "You see it a lot in international players the influence soccer has had.
"It allowed them to gain an advantage somewhere along the line. Whether it be agility or footwork, or passing angles and finding creative ways to get the ball either to the basket or to pass it to someone. I think there is something to be transferred from each sport."
Soccer has always been a passion for Nash. His brother Martin is a member of the Vancouver Whitecaps which won the United Soccer Leagues First Division championship Saturday.
"That was fantastic news," Nash said.
Nash also organized a trip to Milan with six of his teammates to watch AC Milan battle to a 0-0 draw with Siena before 45,000 fans.
What should have been a three-hour trip took over four hours because the bus they were riding on couldn't go faster than 97 kilometres an hour. Even though they didn't arrive until half time, the players enjoyed the experience.
"To watch the fans singing and waving flags, I think it was really fun," said Nash, who also attended this year's World Cup.
Nash's love of soccer has only increased his Italian fan base.
"They love him here," said coach Mike D'Antoni, who played and coached in Italy. "With him showing up at the Milan soccer game, everybody knows he is such a soccer fan, it's going to grow his popularity here.
"We were scrimmaging today. He even cussed in Italian."
Typically, Nash said it's humbling to have people on another continent know your name.
"I travel a lot (so) I was aware of it," he said.
"It's always extremely flattering to be recognized and supported the way I am and our team is in Italy and around the world. It's a great feeling to know that people are watching you play in different parts of the world."
The United States once dominated international basketball but the rest of the world has caught up. The U.S. finished third at this year's world championships and settled for the bronze at the 2004 Olympics.
"I don't think the international game has much to learn from the NBA," said Nash, who grew up in Victoria and represented Canada at the world championships and the Olympics. "Technically, it's every bit as good if not better.
"I think the talent level in the NBA has the best international players. The game is at another level in the NBA, but internationally it's fantastic."
Some players could find attending training camp in a foreign country distracting. Nash thinks a few negatives are outweighed by the benefits.
"It's not ideal for practising but it's great for bonding and exploring a new culture," he said.
"Championships are not won in the first week of training camp. You set a precedent and try and build every day.'
D'Antoni said he has no worries about Nash slowing down as he enters his 11th season.
"He's our best conditioned player," said D'Antoni. "He's probably the strongest at core strength.
"I know he's 32 but I don't think it matters. His mind is fresh, he wants to play. I don't see any drop off for the next three or four years."
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