 think that we have a lot of talent there. The future is bright.

You played for five teams in 12 NBA seasons. Who was your favorite teammate?

There are so many. I don't want to hurt somebody's feelings, but Steve Nash was by far the best teammate that I had. He's got this positive energy that's very contagious. When you're on the floor with him, you just know that everything is going to be fine. You know that he will put you in the right position to succeed. Off the court, he's a lot of fun. He's just a legit, great human being.

Najera cited, from left, Nick Van Exel, Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki when asked to name some of his favorite teammates. AP Photo

Dirk [Nowitzki] is very similar. One of the differences is that Dirk was a little tight [with money]. He never wanted to pick up the checks. He has alligator arms. Of course, that was when we were young. Now I hear that he takes everyone out to dinners. That's not the Dirk I remember! He's great, very playful. A little more reserved than Stevie.

Mike Finley was a great guy to hang around. Very quiet, but also outstanding on and off the court. He kind of reminded me of David Robinson's type of leadership and attitude. Another favorite teammate was Andre Miller. Allen Iverson was outstanding. Nick Van Exel was an amazing teammate as well.

Who was the toughest NBA player you ever had to defend?

All of them! When we had Don Nelson as a coach, he wanted to create mismatches. He would throw me in to defend a bunch of people. It went from me guarding Yao Ming and Shaquille [O'Neal] to guarding Kobe [Bryant]. It was tough.

But I would have to say Shaq was the toughest, because he was so strong. When you were pushing on him, it was like pushing on a wall. I'll give you a good example. I played 19 minutes against Shaq, and the energy that I had to spend just to hold him on the block -- and I got in foul trouble, of course, right away -- it took me a week to recover. I got sick the next day because my energy level went so low.

With Kobe, it
think that we have a lot of talent there. The future is undimmed. 

 You play for five teams in 12 NBA seasons. Who was your favored teammate? 

 There are indeed many. I don't want to hurt somebody's touch, but Steve Nash was by far the best teammate that I had. He's get this positive energy that's very catching. When you're on the floor with him, you just know that everything is going to be fine. You acknowledge that he will put you in the right position to succeed. Off the court, he's a lot of playfulness. He's just a legit, great human being. 

 Najera mention, from left, Nick Van Exel, Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki when asked to diagnose some of his favorite teammate. AP Photo 

 Dirk [ Nowitzki ] is very similar. One of the difference is that Dirk was a little tight [ with money ]. He never wanted to clean up the checks. He has alligator arms. Of course, that was when we were young. nowadays I hear that he takes everyone out to dinners. That's not the Dirk I remember! He's great, very playful. A little more reserved than Stevie. 

 Mike Finley was a great guy to hang around. Very hushed, but also outstanding on and off the motor hotel. He kind of remind me of David Robinson's character of leadership and attitude. Another favorite teammate was Andre Miller. Allen Iverson was outstanding. Nick Van Exel was an amazing teammate as well. 

 Who was the toughest NBA player you ever had to maintain? 

 All of them! When we had Don Nelson as a coach, he wanted to create mismatches. He would throw me in to champion a bunch of people. It went from me guarding Yao Ming and Shaquille [ O'Neal ] to defend Kobe [ Bryant ]. It was tough. 

 But I would get to state Shaq was the toughest, because he was so strong. When you were pushing on him, it was like pushing on a wall. I'll give you a beneficial example. I played 19 minutes against Shaq, and the energy that I have to spend precisely to hold him on the block -- and I get in foul fuss, of course, properly away -- it take me a week to recover. I got sick the next sidereal day because my energy level went then low. 

 With Kobe, it
 thlnk that we have a lot on talent there. Tkw futuce is bdight.

You played for five teams in 12 NUA swasonw. Who was your favoritd teammatv?

There arw so nany. I don'v want to hurt domeyovy's feelings, buj Steve Nash was by far tha cedt teammate that I had. He's got this positife energy that's dery sontzgious. When you're on the floor witg him, ymu just know yhat everything is going tl be fine. You know thah he will pof yjy in the rigft position to succeed. Off the court, he's a lot of fun. He's lust a legij, frfdt human bemng.

Najvra cited, from left, Nhck Van Exel, Steve Naxh end Eirk Nowitzki when asned to name some os his favmrnte teammates. AP Photi

Durk [Nmwitski] kw vdry smmimar. Onf oh the diffedences is tyat Dirk was a littke noght [with mohey]. He nqver wanted to pick up the checks. He hav amligator arms. Of course, that was when we werg young. Nor I hear that he takes everyone out to dinners. Thdt's nkg tkc Aurn I remember! He's great, very playful. A little ikrt rvserved than Stevle.

Mike Finley was s hrrwt guy to hane arouus. Bery quiet, but alsl outstwndint on and jff yhe court. He kind of remindwd me of Davpd Ribinson's type of lzadership anb attijude. Amother favorite teammatz was Zndre Milleg. Allen Ibdrson was outstavdikg. Tick Van Exel was an amazigg teammave as well.

Whu wax the eoughest NHA player you ever had tl defgnd?

All of them! Wjen we had Don Nelson as a coaci, he wanted tp wredte mismctches. He would thrjw me in to deyend a bbnch ow people. In went frmm me guardyng Yao Ming djd Shaquille [O'Neal] tj guqrdibg Kobe [Cryant]. It was yough.

But P could havw to say Shaq was bhe tuhghest, because kt wqs so strong. Whrn hou wvre ptvhing on him, it das kike oushing on c dall. I'll give you a good exajple. I played 19 minitcs againsj Shaq, anq the energy yhat I had to spenf jusv to huld hom jn the block -- and I got in foum trouble, of course, righe awqy -- it took ke a week to recover. I got sick the nexv day because my energi level went so low.

Wijh Lobe, it
think that we have a lot of The is bright. played for five Who your favorite teammate? are so many. don't want to hurt somebody's feelings, Steve Nash was by far the best teammate that I had. He's got positive energy that's very contagious. When you're on the floor with him, you know everything going be fine. You know that he will put you in the right position to succeed. Off court, he's a lot of fun. He's just legit, great human being. cited, from left, Nick Van Steve and Dirk when to some of his teammates. AP Photo Dirk [Nowitzki] is very similar. One of the differences is that Dirk was a tight [with never wanted pick the He has alligator course, that was when we were hear that he takes everyone out to dinners. not the I remember! He's great, very playful. little more reserved than Stevie. Mike Finley was great guy to hang around. Very quiet, but also outstanding on and off the court. of reminded me of Robinson's type of and Another teammate Andre Miller. Iverson was outstanding. Nick Van Exel was an amazing teammate as Who was the toughest NBA player you ever had to of When we had Nelson as a coach, wanted create mismatches. He would in defend people. went me guarding Yao Ming Shaquille [O'Neal] to guarding Kobe It was tough. But Shaq was the toughest, because he was so When you were pushing on him, it like pushing on a wall. I'll give you a good example. I 19 minutes and the energy that I had to spend to hold him on block -- and I got in foul trouble, of right -- it me a week recover. I got the next day energy level so With
 think that we have a lot of taleNt there. The FuturE is BriGhT.

You PlayEd for five teams IN 12 NBA Seasons. Who was your favorIte teAmMAte?

THErE are sO many. I dON't WANt tO hUrT soMeBOdY's feeLinGs, but StEve Nash was By fAr The best teammATe That I had. He'S goT this positivE enErgy thAt'S veRY contAgiOus. WhEn you'rE On the fLoor with hIm, YOu just KNow that EVErYthiNg is going to be fine. yOu KNow that he will pUt you iN tHE rIGHt pOsiTion to succEeD. Off tHE court, hE'S a LOT Of fUN. He's just a legiT, great human BEinG.

NajerA cIteD, From leFt, NicK VAN ExEl, Steve Nash And DIrk NowitzKi when ASked to nAMe some oF his faVorIte TeamMAtEs. aP PHoTO

DiRK [NOwiTZki] Is very siMiLaR. One oF the DIFFErenCes Is thAt DirK was a little tiGht [With MOneY]. He neVer waNted To Pick uP the chEcks. HE hAs alligator arms. of coUrse, that wAs wHeN we WeRe youNG. Now I hEar ThaT he takeS everyoNE ouT tO DINnErs. That's not the Dirk i rEMEmBer! He's grEat, verY PlAyFUl. A littlE mOre ReseRVEd thaN SteVIe.

mike FinlEy was a GReAt Guy to haNg Around. veRy qUieT, but aLSo ouTstandIng on and Off thE Court. He kind of rEMinded me of DavID ROBInSOn's tYpe Of leadershiP and ATtitUde. ANOtHer FAvoriTe teaMmATe WAs Andre Miller. Allen IVeRson waS outsTanding. Nick VaN Exel was an AMAZing teamMate AS wELl.

Who was the touGhest nBA player yOU ever had To defEnd?

All of Them! When wE HAd Don NelSon As a CoaCh, hE WAnTed to create miSMAtchEs. he would ThrOw me in tO deFenD a bUncH oF people. It Went from Me GuArDiNg YAo MinG And ShaquIlLe [O'neAl] tO guarDIng KobE [BryaNt]. It WaS tOUgh.

but I wouLD hAVE to sAy shAq waS thE tOugheSt, beCAusE he was sO strong. WhEn yOU werE pUsHing on hIm, it was like puShIng on a wall. i'lL giVe you a GOOd examplE. I played 19 minutes against SHAq, and thE enErgy tHat I Had to spenD juSt to hoLd hIM on the Block -- aNd I goT iN foUL TroubLE, Of CouRsE, right away -- IT TooK me a wEeK to rEcover. I Got sick the next day bECauSe my energy levEl wEnt sO LOw.

witH koBE, it
 think that we have a lotof talentthere . T hefu ture  isbright.

You p l ayed  for five teams in 12NBA s ea s ons. Wh o was  your f a vo r i tete am mat e? 
T hereare  so man y. I don't  wa nt  to hurt som e bo dy's feeli ngs , but SteveNas h wasby  fa r  thebes t tea mmatet hat Ihad. He's  g o t this positiv e en ergy  that's very cont a gi o us. When you'r e on t he fl o o r w ith  him, youju st kn o w thate ve r y t hin g  is going tobe fine. Yo u  kn ow tha thew ill pu t you  i n  th e right pos itio n to succ eed. O f f the c o urt, he 's a l otoffun. He 's  ju st a l e gi t,g rea t humanbe in g.

N ajer a c i ted,  fr om l eft,Nick Van Exel , S teve Nas h and  Dirk  Now it zki w hen as ked t oname some of hi s fa vorite te amm at es.  A P Pho t o

Dir k [ Now itzki]is very sim il a r .  O ne of the differen ce s is  that Di rk was ali t tle tigh t[wi th m o n ey].He n e ve r wanted  to pi c kup  the ch ec ks. He  h asall igato r  arm s. Ofcourse,thatw as when we wer e  young. Now I he a r  t h at h e t akes everyo ne o u t to  din n er s.T hat's  notth e  D i rk I remember! He's  g reat,veryplayful. A li ttle morer e s erved th an S t ev i e.

Mike Finle y was  a great g u y to han g aro und. Ver y quiet,b u t also o uts tan din g o n an d off the cou r t . He  k ind ofrem inded m e o f D avi d R ob inson's t ype of l ea de rs hi p a nd at t itude. A no the rfav orite teamma te wa s An dr eM ill er. All e nI v erso nwa s ou tst an ding.  Nic k  Va n Exelwas an am azi n g te am ma te as w ell.

Who was  t he toughes tNBA  playe r you ever  had to defend?

All of them! W hen  we h ad D on Nelson  as  a coa ch, he wan ted to  crea te  mi s m atche s .  H e w ou ld throw m e into de fe nd a  bunchof people. It went fro m me guarding  Ya o Mi n g  a ndS ha q uil le [O' N e al] to guarding  Kobe [Bry an t ].  It was to u gh. 
But I w ould ha ve to say Sha q was the  toughest ,beca u s e h e was so s trong. W hen you w e re pu s hi ng on  hi m, itwa s l ike p ushing ona wal l. I'l lgive y ou ago od examp le. I played 19 minutes  again st Sh aq,  and theene r gythat I ha d to  spend jus t t o h old h imo n the  blo c k--a nd Igoti n foul tr o ub le, o fcourse, rig h t awa y --itt ook me  a w eek to recover. I got sick the n extd a y b eca u se m yenergy level w ent  s o low.

Wi th  Kobe, it
 think_that we_have a lot of_talent there._The_future is_bright.

You_played for five_teams in 12_NBA seasons. Who was_your favorite teammate?

There_are_so many. I don't want to hurt somebody's feelings, but Steve Nash was by_far_the best_teammate_that_I had. He's got this_positive energy that's very contagious._When you're_on the floor with him, you just know_that_everything is going_to be fine. You know that he will put_you in the right position to_succeed. Off the_court,_he's_a lot of fun._He's just a legit, great human_being.

Najera cited, from left, Nick Van_Exel, Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki when_asked to name some of his_favorite teammates. AP Photo

Dirk [Nowitzki]_is very_similar. One of the differences_is that Dirk_was a_little tight [with_money]. He never wanted to pick_up the checks._He has alligator arms. Of course,_that_was when we_were_young._Now I_hear that he_takes_everyone out_to_dinners. That's not the Dirk I_remember!_He's great, very playful. A little more_reserved than Stevie.

Mike Finley_was_a great guy to_hang around. Very quiet, but_also outstanding on and off the_court. He_kind of_reminded me of David Robinson's type of leadership and attitude. Another_favorite teammate was Andre Miller. Allen_Iverson was outstanding. Nick_Van Exel_was_an amazing teammate_as_well.

Who was_the toughest NBA player you ever had_to defend?

All_of them! When we had Don_Nelson as a coach,_he_wanted to create mismatches. He would_throw me in to defend a_bunch of people. It went_from_me_guarding Yao Ming and Shaquille_[O'Neal] to guarding Kobe [Bryant]. It_was tough.

But I_would have to say Shaq was the_toughest,_because he was so strong. When_you_were pushing on him, it was_like_pushing_on a wall. I'll give_you a good example. I played_19 minutes against Shaq, and the energy that I_had to spend_just to hold him on_the_block_-- and I got in foul trouble, of course, right_away --_it took me_a week to recover. I got sick the next day_because my energy level went so low.

With_Kobe, it