Wolves could learn from Nash

Given the Timberwolves' identity crisis at point guard these days, the Phoenix Suns are the last team in the NBA they want to see right now.
First, there's the intimidating presence of Steve Nash, an unimpressive physical presence who somehow has become the league's premier playmaker and a two-time reigning MVP in hot pursuit of a third.
Next, there's familiar face of Marcus Banks anchored to the Phoenix bench, possibly inactive in street clothes, a reminder of how badly the Wolves whiffed when they designated the sturdy, confident and ultimately ineffective guard as the key to their January 2006 trade with Boston.
Finally, there are the three point guards currently running a weave through the position: Randy Foye, Mike James and Troy Hudson. Not one of them has handled the job to coach Randy Wittman's satisfaction or to the team's ultimate standards (winning). That's why, after practice at the Suns' facility Monday, it seemed a toss-up as to which one might start tonight, which one might sub in and which one might stay parked in a VIP seat.
Goldilocks had better choices than Wittman on most nights.
"You can't put a price tag on consistent guard play," Wittman said. "That's what runs most teams that are good. It doesn't really matter what level, high school, college or pros. Take this team -- take Steve Nash off this team, is it as good a team? The way he controls everything, how he knows to [handle] a situation out if somebody needs more touches ... it's part of being a good team."
With Kevin Garnett as a superstar who nonetheless is dependent on having the ball delivered at the right times and in the right places, with other Wolves asked to react rather than act, their need for a steady, reliable playmaker rarely has been more acute. Foye, James and Hudson, in their inability to seize the position, have made a case for some critics that this team might have three backups but no starter.
"I hope not," Wittman said. "I hope we can have a guy emerge from these three who steps up and takes control of the job. As time goes on, I think one will. We're waiting for that one to emerge."
Waiting through 65 games, with 17 to go, gets awfully close to white-flag time.
In the 109-102 loss to the Lakers on Sunday, the point guard gambit played out almost like a cruel shell game. Wittman made the switch from Hudson to Foye in the starting lineup, only to find the pea under James, who came off the bench for 18 points and 11 assists. Much of that stemmed from the Wolves' game of catch-up in closing a 19-point gap, but it was a better showing than they had gotten recently at the spot.
Foye, meanwhile, lasted just 15 minutes, with three points, one assist and three turnovers.
"I thought Randy had got into a good groove being a bench guy," Wittman said. "I thought his mind was uncluttered and that playing with the second unit got him 'into' the games because he could be aggressive. Then when he closed out games with the first unit, he didn't feel he had to do something every time he had the ball.
"And he's a rookie, too. That's something I have to keep reminding myself. Randy might be a guy who's more comfortable off the bench."
Whatever time he spends over there, Foye would be well-advised to watch Nash as Nash watches ... everything.
Said Foye of Nash: "Some of the stuff that he does, he has to see a different game. His peripheral vision is ridiculous. He can see the whole floor.
"The other night, they were playing Dallas and he was looking, looking ... as soon as he saw an opening, he made a good pass. It's like a puzzle and he looks for the right piece to put in that spot."