"Four years ago, a player named Aaron Miles proclaimed Jason Richardson to be "The Factor" after Richardson returned from an injury and helped the Golden State Warriors

to victory.

It was an easy call at the time when Richardson was taking 19 shots per game.

The moniker became, literally, a part of Richardson two years ago, when he had "THE FACTOR" tattooed across his upper back. He took to turntables for a hobby and became DJ Factor.

Phoenix is a startling 29-4 when Richardson scores at least 20 points, including wins in the past 10 such games.

"When I score 20, it's almost like a third scorer," Richardson said. "You know Amar'e (Stoudemire) is going to score and Steve (Nash) is going to do his thing. So it's like me coming in and being the X factor when I score."

Maybe, it's the XX factor for the 20 that means so much to Phoenix. In his ninth season, Richardson is in only his second playoffs. He led the Suns in scoring in the first round with 23.5 points per game on 53 percent shooting and blistering 22-for-43 3-point shooting.

Richardson has gone from averaging 14.5 points before the All-Star break to 17.8 after the break. He benefited from the attention Portland gave Phoenix's pick-and-rolls but he has the shooting stroke, athleticism and desire to seize the opportunity.

"It's certainly a great luxury to have somebody who can go for 42 points (Richardson's Game 3 tally) who is not really your Number 1 or 2 option," Nash said. "He's a proven scorer. . . . When he gets it going and gets in the flow of the game, we're a special team.""