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Nash for MVP?
by Eddie Johnson / March 9, 2005

The Phoenix Suns have the second best overall record and the best road
record in the NBA. They are first in scoring and three-point percentage and second in field goal percentage. They are doing this with a very young team. While most observers expected improvement with the growth of Amare Stoudemire and the additions of Quentin Richardson and Steve Nash, the Suns have far exceeded the expectations this season.

Why?

Amare Stoudamire and Shawn Marion could be the best frontcourt duo in the league.

Quentin Richardson and Joe Johnson are matchup nightmares from beyond the arc and in the post against smaller guards.

But the single most important reason for this team to play at this obscene level is the on-court leadership of the best point guard in the league: Steve Nash.

Nash has been relentless in pushing the ball up court. Every time one of the young Suns receives the ball, he is already in position to be a potent offensive player – thus negating the possibility of having to create and possibly turn the ball over. That is why the Suns are the best shooting team in the league and rank near the bottom in turnovers.

Does all this success qualify Nash for MVP consideration? Yes. But if voting
and perception of what makes an MVP stays to form, Nash might get the short end of the stick.

THE CANDIDATES

In my opinion, the award should come down to four players: Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Duncan, LeBron James and Nash.

What puts Nash in a precarious position is the fact that there has only been one pure point guard that has won the MVP award in the history of the league. Bob Cousy did it in 1956.

Players with a powerful presence have dominated the award. If you are over 6-foot-6 and supply major numbers to go along with a winning record, your chances to win it go up drastically.

Another problem for Nash is the perception that Shaquille O'Neal, who has been named MVP just once, has been overdue for a while. And the voters have to be impressed with the way he has transformed the Miami Heat into the best team in the Eastern Conference.

LeBron James has become the poster child for the league – and rightly so. But with the Cavaliers on a losing streak and in danger of blowing James' first opportunity to get into the playoffs, he should not be a threat. That said, he will garner plenty of votes and that could hurt Nash.

Finally, Nash's own teammates – Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion – could take a vote or two from him because of their fine play this season as well.

In my opinion, this should be a two-horse race between Shaq and Nash. Why not give them both the award? They have had pretty much identical seasons. How can anyone differentiate between what each of those players has meant to the turnaround of their teams?

Let's see how the voters justify this one.

Eddie Johnson is a regular contributor to HoopsHype.com

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