As it has done for the past five years, the Steve Nash Foundation gathered some NBA and professional soccer stars (with a cameo by Nash's adorable son) at the Steve Nash Foundation Showdown in New York City for an 8 v 8 pickup game (with uniforms and hundreds of screaming fans watching on bleachers and through the fences surrounding the park) to benefit underserved children.
The game split up the players into two teams, Team World (captained by Nash) and Team USA, for two 35 minute halves. The game in the past has produced incredibly funny moments from big stars--last year Spurs' breakout star Danny Green whiffed often--but is mostly amazing because of the excitement that the NBA stars seem to get from slightly succeeding at another sport.
Case in point? Though he looked lost on the field for much of the game, Joakim Noah managed to put in a goal for his side and instantly took off on a authentic soccer-style goal celebration around the field. He was later named the Girard-Perregaux MVP, after his squad became the first one to ever beat Nash's team in the game.
"I know this guy well, he's a great guy I love him and you know he's the guy that everyone wants to have on their team," said Marco Belinelli, Noah's teammate on the Bulls, when asked what his impression of the big man's play was.
Steve Nash's charity soccer game RT @TrueHoop: Almost kickoff. Excited to see Joakim Noah & Marc Stein are teammates. pic.twitter.com/d2ROOu1wBp
— The NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 26, 2013
Loved meeting you! MT @NoahsArcFdn: Great day w/ @stevenashfdn at the #Showdown! @JoakimNoah @SteveNash @Sammy_Ameobi pic.twitter.com/VPzKUOo2UV
— Steve Nash Found'n (@SteveNashFdn) June 27, 2013
As for other important news gleaned from the game? When asked how point guard Derrick Rose was doing Noah, surrounded by an intense mob of children asking for his autograph, smiled.
"He's doing well."
