"It?s not supposed to be this easy. Really, it?s not. I mean come on, 14 assists for Steve Nash -- in the first half -- as the Suns rolled to a 109-90 win Thursday over the visiting Cavaliers. Mr. MVP finished the game with a season-high 21 assists. For a second I thought he might make a run at Scott Skiles? league record of 30 helpers in a game, but he spent most of the last period resting comfortably on the bench, playing the role of NBA fan. On a night where Nets star Jason Kidd notched triple-double No. 82, Nash once again reminded us why he is the best point guard in the world. As I sat down to answer the countless e-mails calling me a moron for having him in the top spot in the Race to the MVP, it was like Nash said, ?Hey Mo, don?t worry about responding to the haters tonight. I got you.? To borrow a line from legendary poet Jay-Z, Nash showed ?em what he?s got. Heck, he?s been showing the league what he?s got for years. " More info from the source here:http://www.nba.com/features/racetothemvp_mailbag_070112.html
I thought you were talking about N.A.S. yeah, his HIP HOP is dead album is pretty dope! LOL On the real though, Nash is making a serious arguement for his 3rd MVP. The last two I didn't really agree with, but I will actually admit that he looks like the best choice to this point. He is putting up career numbers and his team is Soaring to new heights right now. Very impressive so far.
Nobody can seriously say Nash didn't deserve his first MVP (2 years ago) and have any credibility. It wasn't even close 2 years ago, Nash took a 29-53 team and won 62 games with essentially the same core guys. They went from scoring 94 PPG to 110 PPG, they won their first division title since 94-95, and Nash's 11.5 APG that year ranks 21st all-time. Last year there were several people deserving, so if you don't think Nash shouldn't won, you have an argument (though he was still deserving, it's not like he was a bench player for a losing team). I am still amazed by LeBron James' numbers last year (31.4 PPG 7.0 RPG 6.6 APG) that's Oscar Robinson type numbers, but the Cavs didn't win their division and were a 4th seed in the playoffs. I also think a lot of people voted Nash because like the year before the expectations were low (the team was revamped with a lot of new players plus Amare was out) yet because of him the Suns still won the division. This year there are quite a few guys that are having great seasons, so I'm not very optimistic about Steve's chances, especially because there's a large group of people who hate having the same MVP (which is why Jordan and Shaq were robbed during their careers, both should've won more MVPs than they did). I'm not actually as impressed by the 21 assist game as I was by his two 42 point games and the fact he's leading the Suns in scoring while still averaging over 11 assists per game. I think Dirk will probably end up winning it, I'd love to see co-MVPs or something, because they are such good friends it'd be fitting. Dirk's numbers aren't really eye-popping (23 PPG 9 RPG) but his percentages are great (.500 FG%, .400 3P%, .903 FT%) despite all the defense's attention and his team is having yet another great season. Barkley said the other night on TNT that which ever team ends up with the better record should get it, I dunno if I agree with that but many voters may. I've heard people on ESPN say that the Dirk has a better team than Nash, so Nash should get it... I think that's even a worse argument; if that's your thinking then Pau Gasol should win it, he's on the worst team (record-wise anyhow). Besides I don't agree Dirk's teammates are better than Nash's, Nash has an MVP-quality player in Amare (26 PPG 9 RPG in 04-05), an All-Star in Marion (19 PPG 10 RPG 2 SPG for his career), and Barbosa, Bell, and Diaw aren't slouches. Anyway point is, a lot of these TV guys have dumb systems they use to determine their MVP, when they should just roll with the punches and not bog themself down with all these made-up "rules". Chomp on this for a bit, Nash has won the MVP with these numbers: (15.5 PPG 11.5 APG) & (18.8 PPG & 10.5 APG). John Stockton averaged over 17 PPG and 14 APG a game in both the 89-90 & 90-91 seasons. But that's what you get for playing during the Magic/Jordan era and on one of the most boring (though successful) systems ever created.
This guy is playing like an MVP again this year. At the end of the year, he may deserve it, because right now tehre isnt any stoping him. He may be soon to join the greats like MJ, Bird, Chamberlain, etc.
Right now it has to be Dirk. The Mavs are a dominant team and he plays big when needed - big game against the Spurs, 38 against Utah? 42 on the road against Indy? Plus he shoots a great percentage and gets to the line a LOT.
Yeah im not saying that hes in the front run, but like the past 2 years Nash is definetly in the running, and I think by the end of the season, he will have it again. Dirk, to me, is really just a scorer, and that gives nash the edge, who makes the people around him better, which is why hes gotten it last 2 years. But me thinking hes the MVP doesnt mean I think hes the best palyer in the NBA. Hes not even close in my mind, but hes the best team player.
"I've heard people on ESPN say that the Dirk has a better team than Nash, so Nash should get it.." those are people I would disagree with. saying Terry/Howard/Harris/Damp/Stack is better than Marion/Amare/Diaw/Barbosa/Bell? you could argue either but to me Nash has a slightly better team
<div class="quote_poster">phunDamentalz Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">"I've heard people on ESPN say that the Dirk has a better team than Nash, so Nash should get it.." those are people I would disagree with. saying Terry/Howard/Harris/Damp/Stack is better than Marion/Amare/Diaw/Barbosa/Bell? you could argue either but to me Nash has a slightly better team</div> The only reason Steve has a better team, is because of Steve. He got every single one of those guys except Marion a huge deal. Do you think that if Steve never arrived in PHX that Amare would have been such a beast? No. Do you think that if Steve never went to PHX Diaw would have a contract remotely close to his right now? Nope. Do you think Barbe would have got this huge contract if not for playing off of, and backing up Steve? Probably not, though he is deserving of a hefty contract, and would probably have got it either way. Why is it that no one was really talking about Bell before he came to PHX? The Steve Nash effect is rather undeniable. The Dallas team, on the other hand, is full of proven veterans and talented young guys. Dirk is not the one making them so good. Stack was an all-star long before he came to Dallas, Jason Terry has always been an excellent player. Dirk really had no baring on the development of Harris and Howard.
The "who's got a better surrounding cast" is a stupid argument and shouldn't even be used. Remember, the same argument was used against Kobe last year (he didn't have enough team success --- something that was obviously because of his surrounding cast). It would be a bit of a contradiction to use the opposite against Dirk now.
<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The "who's got a better surrounding cast" is a stupid argument and shouldn't even be used. Remember, the same argument was used against Kobe last year (he didn't have enough team success --- something that was obviously because of his surrounding cast). It would be a bit of a contradiction to use the opposite against Dirk now.</div> I agree. Dirk's team is also 7-1 in January and he's been on fire recently. Their team has the best record in the League, and Dirk's PER is higher than Nash's.
Well, we can't say sh*t about it, even if we'd like to do it. He deserves atm, again. The Suns are hot as hell and so is Nash. He's still a star and heart of this team. Not Amare, not Marion, but Nash. I wonder, how many seasons can he keep it up ? I believe that at least 2 seasons more. And I'm pretty sure that if some of they're main guys won't get injured in those 1-3 seasons, they will win the title. Great coach, great leader, great team, great chemistry and very entertaining game tempo !;D
82games shows Amare's numbers without Nash on the court the last few seasons. It's still pretty beastly.
Talk about being in the right place at the right time! Nash has been doing the same thing for years and the only reason people recognize him is that his team is having success because of his new Phoenix teammates. In other words his supporting cast in Phoenix is better than his supporting cast was at Dallas. He probably deserved one MVP award, but giving him 3 in a row is just absurd. Lebron deserved it last year and Shaq deserved it the year before. Dirk and Kobe are more worthy candidates this year.
<div class="quote_poster">rafy Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Do you think that if Steve never arrived in PHX that Amare would have been such a beast? No. </div>Amare has been a beast since about 5 games into the league, so that point is a bad one. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Do you think that if Steve never went to PHX Diaw would have a contract remotely close to his right now? Nope. </div>Again, Diaw is playing LIKE Steve, he's not necessarily a recipient of Steve's passing as much as Marion/Amare were. The other day Diaw had 11 assists and Steve had 4. Diaw was an "undiscovered talent" and I don't think you can say Steve makes him that much better.
Nash is a great player and would deserve to win again. On the other hand a 7footer with the best shot in the nba and havin a great season. I think it will be decided in the run in to the end of the season. P.S Suns or Mavs 4 the title.
I think that they won't give MVP to Nash cause third straight would be too good for him, i mean, he's not a legend. But Nash hasn't played last games and Suns have gone too bad. They are on 2game losing streak which is really bad for them this season.
<div class="quote_poster">phunDamentalz Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Amare has been a beast since about 5 games into the league, so that point is a bad one. Again, Diaw is playing LIKE Steve, he's not necessarily a recipient of Steve's passing as much as Marion/Amare were. The other day Diaw had 11 assists and Steve had 4. Diaw was an "undiscovered talent" and I don't think you can say Steve makes him that much better.</div> I've seen Amare struggle without Stevie on the floor. Is he capable of playing by himself? Yes. But just look how much harder it is. I don't think you can say in all honesty that Amare would have developed into this MVP quality player that he is now if Steve never showed. He'd be a brilliant player, but not what he is now. Often times it's the pass that leads to the assist. Nash got everyone to pass the ball, it's contagious. Often times it goes like this: Nash passes to Marion, Marions throws it in the post to Diaw, Diaw then pump fakes and sends one out to Bell for three. I think Diaw would remain an "undiscovered talent" if he went to another team. And that's all down to Steve imo. It's not all about numbers.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Often times it's the pass that leads to the assist. Nash got everyone to pass the ball, it's contagious. Often times it goes like this: Nash passes to Marion, Marions throws it in the post to Diaw, Diaw then pump fakes and sends one out to Bell for three. I think Diaw would remain an "undiscovered talent" if he went to another team. And that's all down to Steve imo. It's not all about numbers.</div> Depends what "other" team. You assesment is wrong here. Diaw averaged 10+ APG last season when Nash was out, and had something like a 14 assist, and a 12 assist game, and of course that was without Amare, and IIRC Bell was out too in those games. Diaw is second in the league in alley-oop assists to Andre Miller, beating Nash. So to say Diaw's ability is somehow predicated by Nash is not true. The whole Nash "makes passing contagious" thing with Diaw is also not true. A problem with Diaw since being in ATL was that he would drive, have an open layup, then kick the ball out to a teammate. He was being criticized for over passing in ATL, and also as a Sun last season.
