Man sacrifices millions for team: Quentin Richardson remembers Steve Nash's selfless act for the Suns

The "Seven Seconds or Less" era of the Phoenix Suns remains iconic for its electrifying offense. Under the leadership of crafty point guard Steve Nash and alongside talents like Quentin Richardson, Joe Johnson, Shawn Marion, and Amar'e Stoudemire, the Suns consistently pressured opponents with a high-octane, fast-paced style of play, aiming to take shots in seven seconds or less.

While head coach Mike D'Antoni often receives credit for revolutionizing basketball with this aggressive offensive system, none of it would have been possible without Nash accepting a significant pay cut before the 2004-05 season.

After leaving the Dallas Mavericks due to owner Mark Cubans refusal to meet his contract demands, Nash had verbally agreed to join the Suns. However, a smaller-than-expected salary cap complicated matters, making it difficult for Phoenix to offer both Nash and Richardson their initially agreed-upon salaries. One of them had to sacrifice financial gain.

Richardson recalled the pivotal moment: "This was when I realized Id do anything for this guy. Once they broke it down, Steve looked at them and said, 'Is that the problem? Take it off my deal and give it to Q. Lets go. Were trying to get to the bar.' It was unbelievable."

Money is usually a top priority for athletes, but for Nash, winning mattered more. He was willing to reduce his salary to ensure the Suns could assemble a competitive roster. "It was over a million dollars, maybe a few million. And for someone to do thatI barely knew him beyond competing on the courtI realized how selfless he truly was," Richardson added.

Ultimately, Richardson signed a six-year, $48 million contract, while Nash agreed to a five-year, $65 million deal.

Team Dynamics and Competitive Spirit

While fans admired the Suns' exciting play, practices were intensely competitive. Richardson aimed to earn a starting spot, but Joe Johnson's presence created a clash. "Joe was in his contract year and wasnt backing down. I was determined to compete, and that rivalry sharpened us," Richardson said.

On January 28, 2005, Richardson went 7-of-9 from three-point range, helping the Suns build a 74-48 halftime lead and eventually win 128-119 over the Boston Celtics. Amar'e Stoudemire scored 42 points, Marion contributed 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 steals, while Nash dished out 15 assists.

Coach D'Antoni eventually started both Richardson and Johnson together, creating a formidable three-guard lineup with Nash. The Suns dominated the season and reached the Western Conference Finals, but Johnsons injury against the Mavericks disrupted their championship run, leading to a five-game loss to the San Antonio Spurs and roster changes for the following season.

This story was first published by Basketball Network on December 2, 2025, in the Old School section.

Author: Sophia Brooks