"Nobody in the 43-year history of the Suns has passed like Steve Nash, and now it will be reflected in the numbers.

The spotlight has swung off the Suns amid their decline, but Nash is coming out of the darkness for yet another landmark moment -- surpassing Kevin Johnson's franchise career assists record.

Nash has 6,506 career assists with the Suns entering Saturday's game vs. Memphis, putting him 13 away from breaking Johnson's record of 6,518.

Johnson mentored Nash when he entered the NBA, spending two years as teammates before Johnson retired and Nash was traded to Dallas. Since his return to Phoenix, Nash has captured five NBA assists titles and is on his way to a sixth just as he will turn 38 on Feb. 7.

"His mind is really good," Portland coach Nate McMillan said. "It looks like he's in great shape. The style of play he brought to Phoenix, they're still running it, and he's still effective in that system."

Nash will play his 700th career game with Phoenix on Saturday.

Johnson set his mark in 683 games with the Suns."