SNY.tv: Online Home of All Things Sports

"No, I think I'm over that. I think I've got enough emotions going on right now with my team so I can't worry about getting wrapped up in theirs," D'Antoni, who coached in Phoenix for five years before coming to the Knicks last year, said with a laugh after practice Monday.

The Knicks (3-14) will take a five-game losing streak into the game with Phoenix (14-3), which leads the Lakers by a half-game for first place in the Pacific Division of the NBA's Western Conference.

After leading Phoenix to five straight 50-win seasons with his "seven seconds or less" offense, D'Antoni left in May 2008 to sign a four-year, $24 million deal with the Knicks. He also considered taking the Chicago Bulls job but landed in New York where he now leads a team that owns the third-worst record in the NBA.

Still, D'Antoni praised current Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry for leading the Suns to the top of the Pacific.

"Alvin's doing a terrific job, spreading the floor and shooting 3's and running up and down," he said. "They're doing a heck of a job."

Nash, a two-time NBA most valuable player, is coming off a 20-point, 16-assist outing in a return to his native Canada on Sunday when the Suns beat Toronto, 113-94.

"He played like he's played all season," Suns forward Grant Hill told NBA.com. "Twenty and 16 is kind of like an average game. I think we're spoiled. We see that and expect that. He just plays great. Whether he's scoring or assisting, whatever he's doing out there, he's helping our ball club."

At 35, Nash is averaging 16.4 points and an NBA-best 12.1 assists.

"I wouldn't trade him for anybody in the league," Gentry told NBA.com. "I really wouldn't. The way we play and what we want to do, he's our guy. I wouldn't trade him."

Nash lives in New York during the offseason and hosts a benefit soccer event here in the summer.

"In the Empire State, I love this city," he said Monday on his Twitter account.

D'Antoni said he's not surprised that Nash is playing at such a high level.

"When we signed him for six years, I didn't have a doubt that he would play those six," D'Antoni said. "Now he's signed for two more after this and I don't see any slowdown in his game at all. He's still playing 34, 35 minutes and he looks as good this year as he's ever looked. That's just a testament to his will and getting himself ready and mentally if you're right how well you can do it."

Added Knicks point guard Chris Duhon: "He's one of the great players, and great players can play as long as they want. He may not be as fast but he's still smarter than most guys out there."

D'Antoni acknowledged that "it's a lot easier this year than last because I was a little bit closer."

Still, Knicks president Donnie Walsh said it is only natural for D'Antoni to want to do well against his old team.

"I know when we play Indiana I always want to do well against them," said Walsh, a former Pacers executive. "That's just a natural emotion."

Curry may play Tuesday: Walsh said injured center Eddy Curry could potentially play Tuesday.

"I think we'll know something tomorrow ," Walsh told SNY.tv after practice Monday. "He got banged in his knee and there was fluid in there so they wanted to give it a couple of days. I think he's going to try it tomorrow and then we'll find out."

The 6-foot-11 Curry has been inactive for three games with a sore left knee and hasn't competed since playing about six minutes in a Nov. 24 loss to Los Angeles.

"It's still a little puffy and swollen and they're trying to get it down," D'Antoni said. "As soon as they get it down, he'll be able to play."

Curry could help the Knicks' interior defense. The team is currently the third-worst defensive team in the NBA.

The Knicks are also hoping to showcase Curry, who played just three games last season, in order to potentially trade him to open up space for the free agents of 2010.