Which Phoenix Suns era team was the best: Point Guard
Kevin Johnson vs. Steve Nash
I was a huge Kevin Johnson fan and how could you not like MVSteve (Nash) in the 2004-2005 season? Nash was an 8-time All-Star, while KJ was a 3-time All-Star, but the difference that made them equals is that both players fit their teams perfectly. If they switched teams there would be a noticeable difference.
That difference was named Charles Barkley, who like Lebron James, was a ball-centric player. Barkley averaged over five assists per game that year. It’s like when Nash was with Kobe and the Lakers, Nash was a shell; Kobe and James are point guard killers.
With his team, Nash was a wizard with a basketball and could keep plays alive until a man broke open. He was an amazing shooter as he hit 49 percent from the field, 43 percent from deep, and 90 percent from the free-throw line for his career. In addition, Nash averaged a double-double with points and assists for seven seasons.
But like it or not, Nash couldn’t play defense even if the guy he was guarding told him what he was going to do. In comparison to Nash who played matador defense, Kevin Johnson was a not great, but adequate defender.
Over his career, KJ averaged 1.5 steals a game while Nash never averaged even one. In fact, over his career, KJ averaged more steals a game than Trevor Ariza, Andre Iguodala, and some guy named Kobe Bryant.
Johnson averaged 18 points and nine assists for his career, averaging a double-double of 21 points and 11 assists for three straight years. For good measure, KJ even had 13 triple-doubles over his career. Nash had three.
Even though Nash was the MVP for the league that year, KJ was quick and could hang with Nash on defense, who struggled with quicker guards. But Nash guarding KJ, no way…KJ had an explosive first step which would leave Nash hoping for help.
Steve Nash as discussed could shoot, but KJ was always a threat to shoot, and that made him more dangerous with the Barkley Suns. He was able to draw more fouls and was more efficient for his team. Even though Nash was very efficient in his own right, KJ had better overall talent around him.
VERDICT: Tie
If I were more honest, not wanting to slight Nash I might even give the edge to KJ. Considering they used KJ at times to guard Michael Jordan in the final,s which they never would do if it were Nash.
The hate mail starts…now.