May 17, 2005
Nash Earning MVP
I've been enjoying the NBA playoffs (in HD!) and I've really been impressed with the play of Steve Nash. A lot of people felt that he didn't deserve the MVP -- many felt it should have gone to Shaq. But while Shaq was sitting out hurt, his team completed a sweep of Washington without him. Nash and the Suns are in a dogfight out West with a Mavs team that can run and gun with the best of 'em. Without Nash the team would be totally lost. Sure in the first couple of games, Amare Stoudemire put up the eye-popping numbers, but if you watched, you'd know that something like 2/3 of his points came directly off of Nash assists.
In Game 3 Nash was masterful. His performance reminded me of vintage Magic Johnson, as he registered 27 points and a stunning 17 assists, setting up his teammates on amazing passes again and again. In Game 4, the Suns came out listless and the Mavs strategy of swarming Stoudemire was largely successful. Left with open shots, Nash did his best to carry them with a 48 point outburst. His 20-of-28 performance wasn't enough, but it proves that he can score when it's needed.
Even if the Suns don't get past the Mavs (and I think they will -- setting up a killer Spurs-Suns series) there can be little doubt that the 6'3" Canadian with the floppy hair is a worthy NBA MVP.