Steve Nash is 37 years old but he is showing no signs of slowing, and that is why he is still considered one of the best players in the NBA. Although there are quite a few young, up and coming talented point guards in the NBA, Nash has spent more than a decade as one of the game’s top players. Steve Nash seemed to defy the odds as he continued to improve his skills the older he got. He really rose to prominence in his second stint with the Phoenix Suns, starting in 2004 at the ripe old age of 30 (Nash actually had his best two seasons at age 31 and 32). Since then, his numbers have not really diminished that much, and that is why he is still ranked number fifteen on Examiner.com’s Top 25 NBA players list.
Statistically, Steve Nash has been about as consistent as you can be over the past 11 years. He continues to play at the top of his game, with numbers still closely resembling his two NBA MVP years during the ’04-’05 and ’05-’06 seasons. What’s also interesting about his statistics is that over the last seven years, he has averaged more points and assists per year than his overall career average. Last year Nash averaged 14.7 points, 11.4 assist, and 3.5 rebounds per game. He ranked in the top ten in the NBA in double doubles (41) and free throw percentage (.912%), and led the entire NBA in assists (11.4/game). He also ranked in the top ten point guards last year in field goal percentage (.492), points/rebounds/assists average (29.6), and player efficiency (21.0).
In addition to all the records he has accumulated over his illustrious career, including being a seven-time NBA All-Star selection, perhaps what makes Steve Nash one of the top 25 players in the NBA today is his ability to make everyone around him better. Although the Phoenix Suns have gone through at least four major roster changes since Nash’s return in ‘04, the Suns have made the playoffs and led the league in points and field goal percentage almost every year. In addition to that, Nash has been responsible for helping many of his teammates achieve career-highs in scoring. Nash also is a great floor general, has a high basketball IQ, and a great feel for the game.
Nash has kept himself in great shape, and has never had a serious injury in his career. He is not tall, was never athletically gifted, never could jump high, never was the fastest player, and never was the best defender on the court. However, Nash could always make the amazing assist, dribble through the defense, shoot the lights out, hustle up and down the court, make free throws, and make great decisions on the fly. He is also one of the best pick and roll players to have ever played the game.
One of the only downfalls to Steve Nash, other than his defense, is that he has never led any of his teams to an NBA Finals, or NBA Championship. Given the current roster of the Suns, and their inability to make the playoffs last season, it’s highly unlikely Nash will be able to take the Suns very far very soon, unless there are some major roster changes. Steve Nash’s contract with the Suns expires at the end of this year, and many wonder what will happen, or where he may go. His window of opportunity is closing, as you wonder just how long he can continue to play at such a high level.
In 2006, ESPN ranked Steve Nash as the ninth greatest point guard of all time, and when his career ends, he surely will go down as one of the greatest players in the NBA. For now, he is still good enough to be ranked number fifteen on our list.
Comments