Nash, Rivers, Bucks' staff take home PBWA honors

Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns, Doc Rivers of the Boston Celtics and the media relations staff of the Milwaukee Bucks were named today as winners of annual awards presented by the Professional Basketball Writers Association.

Nash is the winner of the Magic Johnson Award, given annually to recognize the player who best combines excellence on the court with co-operation with the media and fans. The Phoenix Suns guard was voted the winner over Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs and Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Rivers is the winner of the Rudy Tomjanovich Award, given to the coach who best combines excellence in his craft with co-operation with the media and fans. Rivers won over a group of nominees that included George Karl of the Denver Nuggets, Stan Van Gundy of the Orlando Magic and Rick Carlisle of the Dallas Mavericks.

Dan Smyczek and his staff in Milwaukee are winners of the Brian McIntyre Award, given to the team public relations staff that goes above and beyond the call of duty to work co-operatively with the local and national media.

Other finalists for the award this year with the staffs of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Chicago Bulls and Memphis Grizzlies.

"These winners exemplify all that is good about the NBA and the way its players, coaches and teams interact with the media," said Doug Smith of the Toronto Star, the president of the PBWA.

"A level of mutual respect and co-operation is necessary in any working environment and these gentlemen truly display those attributes."

The Professional BWA comprises approximately 150 writers for newspapers Internet services and magazines who cover the NBA on a regular basis. Its members nominate finalists for the award.