Throughout the season, Step Up to LamisilAT and take a closer look at how NBA teams are stepping up their play on the court. Read the play description below, then check out a Flash animation and actual game video and analysis from NBA TV to see how the action unfolds on the floor.
Previous features: Philadelphia "Threedom" | Chicago's Bulls-Eye | Seattle's Double Trouble

Phoenix Rising: Animated Play Diagram

Click here or on the play diagram above to see how the Suns run the offense.

Phoenix Rising: Video Analysis
NBA TV takes a closer look at how Phoenix runs the offense.
Watch the video
The Phoenix Suns’ off-season acquisition of All-Star point guard Steve Nash is looking more like a stroke of genius with every win. His energy and creativity have helped the Suns step up into contention for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. A major beneficiary of both Nash and the Suns' up-tempo style of play has been Amare Stoudemire, who has seen his scoring average jump to a career-high 26 points per game. Look for these two stars to continue to lead the Suns’ resurgence.

Already guaranteed a playoff spot in the West, the Suns lead the NBA in scoring, averaging more than 110.0 points per game. Nash also leads in the NBA in assists, with an average of 11.5 assists per game, while Stoudemire is in the top five in points per game and field-goal percentage and fellow Suns All-Star Shawn Marion is in the top five in rebounds per game, steals per game and double-doubles.

The Play
The Phoenix Suns do a great job of spacing the floor to allow point guard Steve Nash (13) plenty of room to operate. Here you can see each of the Suns perfectly spaced (approximately 12-15 feet apart) as the offense is about to begin. Nash (13) starts the play by dribbling toward the key.

Amare Stoudemire (32) steps to the top of the key to set a screen for Steve Nash (13). Nash attempts to utilize the screen but is blocked by the defense. Steve Nash reads the defense and spins back to the middle. Leandro Barbosa (10) and Shawn Marion (31) exchange on the perimeter to keep the defense occupied.

Steve Nash (13) has an opening down the middle so he attacks the basket. Amare Stoudemire (32) rolls down the lane after attempting to set the screen for Nash. Stoudemire’s defender has to rotate over to stop Nash’s penetration. Nash drops the ball off to Amare Stoudemire for a highlight reel jam.