Canada - Nash defends Barbosa; Dirk to play for Germany

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Last week Steve Nash hosted a first of its kind 8-on-8 soccer match in New York City with all of the proceeds going to his foundation. The match featured NBA superstars such as Jason Kidd and Baron Davis. Well-known soccer stars such as Claudio Reyna and Thierry Henry also participated.

One of Nash's teammates, Leandro Barbosa -- who grew up playing soccer in his native Brazil -- hit the pitch as well. Here in the US, the move was seen as simply a nice gesture by a teammate. However, back in him home country, Barbosa's decision to play in the charity game sparked a firestorm of controversy.

Due to a lingering knee injury, Barbosa opted not play for Team Brazil in the summer Olympics in Beijing. When Barbosa later opted to play in Nash's charity soccer match, fans in Brazil started questioning Barbosa's priorities.

Nash came to the defense of his friend and teammate during a teleconference arranged by BasketBrasil.com. (In Portuguese)

"I think personally this is the silliest thing I have ever heard of," Nash explained. "Leandro has given a little bit of his time to play a futbol game half-speed for a bunch of kids. We're talking about two different things. When you talk about playing basketball for your country a month or two months every day on a bad knee that's one thing, but to play futbol -- I don't know how long he actually played maybe 10, 15 or 20 minutes -- for fun at half-speed on a small field, non-competitive... I mean this is really silly people are giving him a hard time about this."

Nash indicated medical personnel were present and the Phoenix Suns organization had no problem with either player participating in the charity event.

"We had medical staff present. I'm recovering from an ankle injury and Leandro a knee. But there's a big difference between playing a 30-minute, small eight a side futbol game for the children and playing basketball for two months with the Brazilian National Team. A few minutes of futbol at half speed in a charity environment is something the Suns are not overly concerned about. But playing basketball for two months with all the pressure and responsibility Leandro has for Brazil is very different for his knee. They understood what we were doing and they know it's for charity. And they know it's very early in the summer which is not a big deal to us regaining our health.

"Do you not understand the difference between playing for your country for two months or a month and playing futbol for 20 minutes in a non-competitive environment? I mean this is like comparing two different things. It's not like he went to the World Cup with a soccer team and played for two months."

Nash also took exception to fans who questioned Barbosa's patriotism.

"Leandro is very patriotic. Every day he talks about Brazil, he misses Brazil and how much he loves Brazil. He told me that he really wants to play for Brazil, but he's at a point in his career where maybe he has played too much on his knee. And to spend a month or two months training and playing competitively this summer would maybe cause him a lot of problems in the future. So at this point I think he knows that he needs to take a little bit of a break so in the future he can have a great season with the Suns and play with Brazil in the future."

Dirk Will Play for Germany

Much to the chagrin of Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban, Dirk Nowitzki will play for team Germany this summer in qualifying and then in the Olympics in Beijing should the Germans qualify.

"When I talked to him he said he feels great," Nash said of his good friend and former Dallas teammate. "He has no more injury. The second thing is that this is his last time playing for the National Team. He's not going to play for them after this year, so he wants to give them one last chance to make the Olympics."

Nash also said he understands Cuban's concerns.

"Most of the players like to play for their country, but at the same time you are paid lots and lots of money by your club. And it's not like futbol. Futbol is a big industry where the National Teams make lots and lots of money and so do the players playing for their countries. But in basketball the NBA teams are paying the players salaries and their insurance."

As for Nash, he said his days participating internationally for his home country of Canada are over.

"My reason is I'm 34-years-old now. I played for Canada for over 10 years. I have a lot of responsibility with my team in Phoenix, and for me to play 100 games in Phoenix and have as much responsibility for that team and then still play for Canada, at my age I can't do both."

Americans the Favorite?

Team USA basketball has been fed a steady diet of humble pie over the last six years in international competition. However, Nash believes the US has learned from its mistakes in past competitions and is primed to take home the Gold this summer in China.

"I think the USA (is the favorite). I think obviously Spain, Argentina some of these countries that have had great success will be very difficult to beat, but I think that the USA after being beaten for a few years now is really hungry and they have a great focus going into Beijing."

Shaq the Goalie!?!

Nash's charity game gave some NBA players a chance to flash their soccer skills, and the two-time NBA MVP gave his assessment of those would could play and those who might not want to quit their day jobs anytime soon.

"In the NBA some of the best players are Leandro and if I'm allowed to say myself and maybe Jason Kidd and some of the European players."

And some of the worst players?

"I think maybe if you look at the Phoenix Suns the worst soccer player on our team would have to be Shaquille O'Neal," Nash quipped. "Sometimes I played with him in practice for fun and he tries to play in goal, but it's very hard for him to get down in the corners."