The only reason Nash had a "down year" last season was because of Shaq and Terry Porter. After Porter was fired, he was mostly back to his old self. And with Shaq out of the way, he's playing like he did before. Nash is a superb athlete, and I can see him playing at a high level for another 2-3 years.
Good offense I'll admit but still no defense As long as they have no desire to commit to defense their offensive armor will be cracked in the playoffs and another exit from the playoffs for these Suns
Remember when the very thought that Steve Nash was better than Steve Francis would get you flamed and denounced as a basketball idiot? Now Nash has two NBA MVP's and seen as a premier (if not the premier) point guard of the League while Francis cant even get a job as a back up.
What is even more ridiculous is that he should have won the MVP in 2007. It was by far the best season he had, surpassing the two years he won the MVP. 2005: 15.5ppg, 11.5 Ast, .502fg percentage, with .431 from 3. 2006: 18.8ppg, 10.5 Ast, .512fg percentage, with .439 from 3. Won the back to back MVP's. In 2007, Dirk Nowitzki won, despite Nash's superior statistical year. 2007: 18.6ppg, 11.6 Ast, .532fg percentage, with .455 from 3. I would even venture to say that Nash's 3 year run was the arguably one of the top 5 "runs" in NBA history. I will make the following disclaimer, I love Nash's game.
Well you had guys like Barkley whining about it saying a player that doesn't play D shouldn't win. Imagine that, a Phoenix Sun MVP that played no defense calling out a Phoenix Sun MVP that plays no defense... crazy world. Nash couldn't get to the finals though so until that happens he is just another Texas Tech QB in my book.
It's hard to prepare for them in the regular season. I watched that Celtics game and the Celtics were just not playing them the right way. Those 3's get harder in the post season when teams play them the right way.
I think steve nash is the greatest shooter in the history of the NBA. 500-400-900 for nearly 4 years in a row.
Hornasack has never put up the percentages that nash has, and nash is always guarded and he stills puts up ridiculous percentages.
I hate to say this. Nash's "no defense" teams went a lot deeper in the playoffs than JVG's great defensive Rockets ever did.
Offense and defense are not separate, they are just two aspects of a player's performance. Sometimes its ok if you're deficient on one end if you do so much more on the other end (see Shane Battier, Chuck Hayes, Kevin Martin, KD etc). With that said Nash isn't that bad on D. He's weak on individual D because he has like zero lateral quickness (weird considering he's a soccer player), but he harasses the passing lanes very well, and he's an adequate help d as well. If anything, PHX's worst defensive player is actually Amare. If he played D more intensely Nash's shortcomings wouldn't be that obvious.
I was wondering when someone would make a thread. I was contemplating making one a couple of days ago, asking if he could actually win his 3rd MVP if the Suns somehow keep this up and manage to lock up the best record in the West. I think that, ultimately, they would have to be a good number of games (maybe 4?) better than the next best team in order for the voters to not give it to someone else. A little unfair probably, but that's life.
Steve Nash through 8 games: PPG: 18.3 APG: 12.9 TO: 4.6 A/TO: 2.8:1 SPG: 0.1 RPG: 2.9 FG%: 52.5% 3FG%: 48.6% (35 3FGA) FT%: 92.6% (27 FTA) MPG: 34.5 CP3 through 8 games: PPG: 26.3 APG: 9.8 TO: 2.2 A/TO: 4.5:1 SPG: 1.2 RPG: 3.6 FG%: 63% 3FG%: 68.2% (22 3FGA) FT%: 86.5% (52 FTA) MPG: 34.9 Both are studs but CP3 is off to just a ridiculous start. His percentages will come down to earth but he is definitely a far superior defender and rebounder than Nash. He also draws more fouls and protects the ball better. Imagine what he would do in a more uptempo offense with better players around him.
