4) Because if you're going to hire one of the most popular players in franchise history, it should not be Dan Majerle

Thunder Dan remains one of the most eminent, well-liked — and visible — figures around town. He is an analyst on the Suns' radio broadcasts and a hands-on restaurateur, with two "Majerle's" locations in the Valley. Pop into the new one at the Chandler Pavilions mall and you're as likely as not to have him approach your table and inquire how you are enjoying the meal.

Dan Majerle is a great guy — and would hands-down wrest the "NBA's Sexiest Coach" statue away from Pat Riley … finally — but he should not be the Suns' next coach. While another former 6-8 NBA forward who was known for his reckless abandon could write a book entitled "Sacred Hoops", Majerle's might be "Sacred Hops".

5) It's Cost-Effective

Robert Sarver is a saver. He runs the Suns like a business, which explains in part why All-Star talent such as Joe Johnson and Shawn Marion no longer play in Phoenix. By giving Nash this dual role he takes $3 million a year off the books, at least.

While that available capital may embolden the Gorilla to ask for a raise, it will put a smile on Sarver's face.

6) Because the last time an NBA MVP was player-coach, he led his team to a championship.

Bill Russell is the only former NBA MVP to serve as a player-coach, which he did for three seasons with the Boston Celtics. In two of those three years, the Celtics won the NBA title.

Of course, Russell had a superior supporting cast, was himself a superior player and, not least importantly, played defense. But, as Russell was the NBA's first African-American coach, Nash could actually be its first African-born (Johannesburg, South Africa) coach. That would be cool.

7) He understands the future

Nash, an unabashed fan of soccer and a terrific player on the pitch, has always played the point more like his friend Alessandro Del Piero than say, Magic Johnson. The game has gone Euro — certainly the international influence is the biggest development in the NBA this decade, no matter how many LeBron James ads the league foists upon us — and few people understand it as well as Nash.

Mike D'Antoni does. As does Toronto general manager Bryan Colangelo, who just happened to be the Suns' GM when both Nash and D'Antoni were brought to town.

If Steve Kerr, whose own father was a foreign ambassador, hopes to keep the Suns relevant, he'll want a coach who appreciates the international style of play. Who better than an African-born Canadian with a Paraguayan wife? That's three continents without even leaving the house.

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