Steve Nash wins Magic Johnson Award for being a good guy
May 14, 2012, 4:45 PM | Updated: 6:08 pm
Everyone knows Steve Nash is a good guy, and now he has an
award to prove it.
The two-time MVP was named the winner of the Magic Johnson
Award, which is given annually to recognize the player who
best combines excellence on the court with cooperation
with the media and fans.
The voting is done by the Professional Basketball Writers
Association, and Nash beat out Minnesota’s Kevin Love, San
Antonio’s Manu Ginobili and Los Angeles’ Chris Paul.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers was the winner of the Rudy
Tomjanovich Award, given to the coach who does the best
job on the court and with the media, while the Milwaukee
Bucks’ public relations staff earned the Brian McIntyre
Award, which goes to the group that best works with the
media.
“These winners exemplify all that is good about the NBA
and the way its players, coaches and teams interact with
the media,” said Doug Smith of the Toronto Star, the
president of the PBWA.
“A level of mutual respect and co-operation is necessary
in any working environment and these gentlemen truly
display those attributes.”
Nash, who has spent the last eight seasons in Phoenix,
will be one of the most sought-after free agents this
summer. The 38-year-old may be getting up there in years,
but his play has been as pleasant as his attitude, as he
averaged 12.5 points and 10.7 assists per game this past
season.