Nash likes Rose for MVP but why not Nash?
Mar 29, 2011, 5:51 PM | Updated: 7:19 pm
The Phoenix Suns Steve Nash knows a thing, OK make it two, about NBA MVPs. That’s why when he puts his support behind a candidate you have to listen.
On Tuesday Nash told the Chicago Tribune that he realizes it’s a rarity that a point guard receives the honor but he’s supporting the Bulls’ Derrick Rose regardless of how things have played out in the past.
“There have not been many point guards to win MVP,” Nash said. “Derrick has been phenomenal this year. He continues to grow. He’s not only a terrific athlete, but he has turned into a terrific basketball player and he’s a great kid. He’s a willing learner, teammate and I have nothing but great things to say about him. He has stepped up and is now one of the best players in the league. I think he is a worthy MVP this year. But regardless, he’s a terrific player and will have a sensational career.”
It’s tough to argue with Nash’s choice. Rose has emerged as an MVP candidate while leading his team to the top of the Eastern Conference standings. I’ll do it anyways.
There is a dark horse candidate that deserves consideration for the award but probably won’t even get a single vote. Steve Nash.
He’s in a battle for the NBA assists title with Rajon Rondo. It’s an impressive feat when you realize he’s dropping 11.4 dimes a game while playing on a team where the closest thing to stars are an aging Grant Hill and something that slightly resembles Vince Carter.
It’s not just his assist totals that are impressive. His entire stat line is almost identical to what he put up in his first MVP season in the 2004-05 season. This year he is averaging 15.5 points, 11.4 assists and 3.6 rebounds a game. When he won his first MVP he averaged the exact same point total, .1 assists more a game and .2 fewer rebounds. Oh, and he did it while being injured for part of the year.
In reality it’s a pipe dream. The Suns are going to finish the season right around .500 and most voters view wins just as important as statistics. The question becomes who should the MVP really go to? The guy with the biggest impact on his team or the guy with the gaudiest stats on the best team?
There is no doubt that without Nash the Suns would finish with somewhere around 20 wins, can the same be said for most MVP candidates impacts on their team?
