Phoenix Suns legend Steve Nash is about to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Here’s look back on his tremendous career.
Although his hair might have said Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, there is no doubt that Steve Nash’s presence and skill on the court should be honored in Springfield forever.
The 15th overall pick in the 1996 draft wasn’t intimidating with size, speed, or athletic ability. What Nash accomplished on the court was a perfect representation of how basketball should be played.
Steve Nash made those around him better. He made the game easier. He ranks third all time in assists (10,335) and probably first all time in high-fives. Nash was a role model to those watching him. His pass-first style with a touch of “yeah, I can get you a bucket when you need one” might have sparked a wave of basketball which has led to where we are now.
A career 42.8 percent three-point shooter and 90.4 percent free throw shooter, Nash’s elusiveness allowed him to do as he pleased on the court, whether it was knocking down a fade away 15 footer from the side of the basket, a floater off one foot, or a pull-up three. In the lane, he often made his defender look silly by throwing the ball around his back to one of his big men for the slam.
Nash is the 50-40-90 king. Nash achieved four seasons shooting at least 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from three, and 90 percent from the charity stripe. Although his passing is second to none, his lethal ability to hit shots from anywhere on the court put pressure on his defenders, and it may just be the reason he averaged 10 assists for the season on seven different occasions.
Nash’s two career MVPs were in back to back seasons at ages 31 and 32, past what many would call the ‘prime” of their careers. Regardless, the Suns sat on top of the Western Conference in both of those seasons (2004-05 and 2005-06), led by Nash. The next year, the then 33 year old Nash would finish second in MVP voting.
Many would say that Nash, who averaged just 15.5 points and 18.8 points in his respective MVP seasons, wasn’t deserving of the award twice.
There is no doubt that Steve Nash was one of the best to ever do it. He was the prototypical floor general who helped make the game what it is today, and he was more than deserving of all of his accolades.
Other than his two MVP awards, Nash was also an eight time All-Star, three time All- NBA First Team player, two time WCC player of the year at Santa Clara, three time Canadian Press Male Athlete of the Year, two time FIBA Americas MVP, and since 2012, General Manager of the Canadian senior men’s national team, after having played for his country for 10 years.
He is without question the best to put on a Phoenix Suns uniform, and Suns fans everywhere should recognize how valuable he is to the city, the organization, and the NBA. He means even more to his birth country in aspects much bigger than basketball. Although he may be in large part the reason that we see more and more Canadian basketball players make their way south every year.
One of his biggest admirers growing up, my body chills as I can proudly say that Nash shaped not just how I play basketball, but how I live my life. Putting those around me first to watch us all flourish.
You can watch Nash be enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame this Friday, September 7 at the Springfield Symphony Hall.
On behalf of Phoenix Suns fans everywhere: thank you, Steve Nash.