Source: Nash to be MVP

[shaw-xx]

Suns guard would be 10th player to win award in consecutive seasons

Paul Coro

The Arizona Republic

Apr. 26, 2006 12:00 AM

Suns star Steve Nash will be named the NBA's Most Valuable Player for a second straight season, according to a league source familiar with the voting.

The announcement may not come for two weeks, like last season's May 8 ceremony. The votes have been tabulated in what was expected to be a close race with LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Chauncey Billups and Kobe Bryant.

Nash won the fourth-closest MVP vote last year, edging Shaquille O'Neal a year after Nash was not even an All-Star. advertisement

Nash, 32, impressed voters this season by posting career highs in scoring (18.8 points per game), rebounding (4.2 per game), field goal percentage (.512) and free-throw percentage (NBA-best .921). He led the league in assists again with 10.5 per game and finished sixth in three-point shooting (43.9 percent).

After Amar?Stoudemire's knee surgery deprived the Suns of their top scorer, Nash led the team to 54 wins and its first repeat division title with only Shawn Marion and Leandro Barbosa back for a full season.

Nash would be the first international and Suns player to win twice.

Only nine previous players repeated as MVP winners. Magic Johnson was the only point guard to do so.

www.azcentral.com/arizona...h0426.html

[NXperience]

Wow I hope this is wrong and I just think this is undeserving he shouldn't be a repeat winner. But on the other hand it's the lesser of 3 evils (LeBron and Kobe the other ones)

[FreshJive]

Poll: Nash headed to 2nd straight award
By Jerry Brown, Tribune
April 26, 2006
With nearly 60 percent of the ballots counted in early exit polls, it appears Steve Nash is headed for his second straight Most Valuable Player award. In a Tribune survey of 75 of the 127 writers and broadcasters who cast official MVP ballots with the NBA, Nash has a sizable lead over Cleveland's LeBron James for the award.

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Nash received 30 first-place votes, 24 second-place votes and 549 total points in the Tribune survey, giving him a 141-point lead over James — who has 408 points but only garnered 11 first-place votes.

Dirk Nowitzki ranks third in total points (370) and second in first-place votes (12), but the Dallas Morning News, citing several league sources, reported Tuesday that Nowitzki did not win the MVP award. Kobe Bryant of the Lakers, the league's leading scorer at 35.4 points per game, received 11 first-place votes and ranks fourth in total points (279), but 48 of the 75 writers polled had Bryant listed either fourth (18), fifth (17) or left him off their ballots completely (13). Chauncey Billups of Detroit placed fifth in the survey with 246 points and 10 first-place votes.

It would be Nash's second straight MVP award, placing him among NBA royalty — only eight other players have won back-to-back MVPs.

With Amaré Stoudemire injured and an almost completely different cast of characters — one that was picked by many to struggle to reach the playoffs — around him, Nash pushed and prodded the Suns to a 54-win season and befuddled the naysayers again.

In voting for Nash, Hubie Brown, the broadcast analyst and former coach, praised Nash’s leadership in light of the lost season of Stoudemire and the injury to big man Kurt Thomas.

“When you look at what Nash has done with six new players. . . They won their division, and he’s having his best year.

“That alone tells you what he’s done.”

Because of Nash, “All of their players get better looks. The shot clock is never in a bad situation. He makes it happen.”

Playing the second-most minutes in his career (2,796), the 32-year-old Nash set career highs in several categories including scoring (18.8 per game), rebounds (4.2), field goal percentage (.512), free throw percentage (a league-leading and franchise record .921) and minutes per game (35.4). Nash also led the league in assists for a second straight season (10.5), becoming the first NBA player since Jason Kidd (with the Suns in 1998-99, 1999-2000) to average 10 or more assists in back-to-back seasons.

Nash became only the fourth player in NBA history to shoot at least 50 percent from the field, at least 40 percent from 3-point range (.438, sixth in the NBA) and at least 90 percent from the line — joining Larry Bird (twice, 1986-87 and 1987-88), Reggie Miller (1993-94) and Mark Price (1988-89).

For the fifth consecutive season — three years with Dallas (2001-04) and two with Phoenix (2004-06) — a team with Nash at point guard led the NBA in scoring

[madape]

let the whining begin!

[spreedom]

I have no problem with Nash winning. To me it was a two-player race between Nash and Kobe.

[mary]

Originally Posted by spreedom

I have no problem with Nash winning. To me it was a two-player race between Nash and Kobe.

Kobe wasn't even in the top-three.

[spreedom]

Originally Posted by mary

Kobe wasn't even in the top-three.

To me it was a two-player race between Nash and Kobe.

And everyone that's saying Nash needs to be a top-20 player of all-time needs to get a clue. He's the biggest difference-maker in the league today. The "he has to be a top 20 player of all-time" argument is the biggest cop-out I've heard so far. He was clearly the MVP this year and the race wasn't even really close.

[kg_veteran]

Originally Posted by spreedom

To me it was a two-player race between Nash and Kobe.

And everyone that's saying Nash needs to be a top-20 player of all-time needs to get a clue. He's the biggest difference-maker in the league today. The "he has to be a top 20 player of all-time" argument is the biggest cop-out I've heard so far. He was clearly the MVP this year and the race wasn't even really close.

Biggest difference-maker in the league by what objective standard?

If it's just a popularity contest, then they should just say so. But if it's genuinely a "most valuable" player award, then there should be an objective standard. Using objective comparisons to past MVPs, Dirk measures up and Nash falls short. In fact, everyone but Dirk falls short.

[spreedom]

Originally Posted by kg_veteran

Biggest difference-maker in the league by what objective standard?

If it's just a popularity contest, then they should just say so. But if it's genuinely a "most valuable" player award, then there should be an objective standard. Using objective comparisons to past MVPs, Dirk measures up and Nash falls short. In fact, everyone but Dirk falls short.

The award isn't an objective standard. That's what makes the MVP award great. If it was objectively given to the best all-around player in the league, Michael Jordan would have won at least ten of them. But he didn't, because the award winner is determined subjectively. Is that the way it "should" be? Maybe. I think it's fairly telling, however, that Nash also won the GM and executives poll.

And come on.. the voters RARELY don't get it right. I think 5 years from now it will be pretty clear that Nash deserved this win. He turned a team that most predicted would finish near the bottom of the playoff bracket into a 53 game winning team, with every important piece around him having a career season. Who even heard of Boris Diaw before this season? And now look.. he's the MIP and averaged like 13, 7 and 6. Think he'd be doing that if he was in Atlanta? Nope. He's a product of a system that is only successful because Nash is quarterbacking it.

It's not a coincidence that the Suns are a great team with Nash at the helm.

[mary]

Let the nut-hugging begin!

[ocelot_ark]

This is bullshit.

[jthig32]

I need gasoline and a match.

This is going to make certain areas of this board unbearable if we don't win the title this year.

[sixeightmkw]

click, click, BBBBBOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!!!!

I am dead

[kg_veteran]

The award is now meaningless.

[madape]

I'm a little suprised by this. I had convinced myself it would be LeBron.

Well, good for Nash anyway... but this is just more dirt rubbed in the wound for Maverick fans.

[Drbio]

I hate it, but the guy was the reigning MVP and he had a better year this year than last.

Still...the award has become a joke.

[kg_veteran]

I'm surprised by it, too.

Shaquille O'Neal has one MVP award, but Nash has two?

Meaningless award.

[sixeightmkw]

*****still.....twitching........a......little....* ****

***BBBBBBBOOOOOOOMMMMM******

dead

[dirno2000]

John Stockton just turned over in his grave...

[kg_veteran]

Originally Posted by dirno2000

John Stockton just turned over in his grave...

No kidding.

[sike]

Originally Posted by dirno2000

John Stockton just turned over in his grave...

he's dead???!!!!

[dirno2000]

Originally Posted by sike

he's dead???!!!!

could be...have you seen him?

[sike]

Originally Posted by dirno2000

could be...have you seen him?

why yes...I pay him $30 bucks every Saturday to rake my yard....



*doesn't that sound like Stockton?*

[MavKikiNYC]

Congrats to Nash. But this is some effed up balloting, IMO.

He's great fun to watch---all the more in Phoenix than in Dallas, because I hate watching PGs who can't defend.

As for how Cuban must be taking it--his team gets better, and is in as good or better position to challenge for a title. My guess is he's taking it just fine.

[sike]

Originally Posted by MavKikiNYC

Congrats to Nash. But this is some effed up balloting, IMO.

He's great fun to watch---all the more in Phoenix than in Dallas, because I hate watching PGs who can't defend.

As for how Cuban must be taking it--his team gets better, and is in as good or better position to challenge for a title. My guess is he's taking it just fine.

like I said, Kiki, has there ever been such a one demensional MVP???

it must be nice to play on a team with Shawn Marion and 3 other good shooters....I just wonder why the media has so quickly adopted Nash and have been so slow to do so for Dirk?

[Dtownsfinest]

Sigh@us giving up on Nash because he was breaking down. All he has is two MVP awards. Only way to make me feel better about the Nash departure is if a championship is brought to Dallas. Get on it Mavs.

Props to Nash. A great achievement. Not many can say they were back to back MVP's. Easily one of the best players in the league and though I think the whole "make your teammate better" argument for MVP is overrated if there's a player out there who does it its Nash. Props to the best point guard in Mavs franchise history.

[dude1394]

Congratulations to Steve Nash..The second best point guard in the history of the NBA!

I just never realized he was that good. My bad.

[Stranger]

Originally Posted by dirno2000

John Stockton just turned over in his grave...

I heard he was at a sympathy party with Isiah Thomas, Jerry West, Gary Payton, and Jason Kidd. Oscar Robertson tried to come, but they wouldn't let him in because he has one MVP award.

[TripleDipping]

Whatever... Nash can clear his mantle space for a meaningless award. We'll see them in WCF and show him and the Suns and all the Nash-nut-hugger-lover who's the real thing.

[madape]

Originally Posted by TripleDipping

Whatever... Nash can clear his mantle space for a meaningless award. We'll see them in WCF and show him and the Suns and all the Nash-nut-hugger-lover who's the real thing.

hmm.. not to bring back bad memories, but Nash and the Suns pretty much smashed us last year on the way to the WCF. He's already got one "real" victory on us (to go with his two "meaningless" trophies). I hope we do match up against him in the WCF. Prove it on the court, biatch!

[u2sarajevo]

Congratulations to Steve. He can't help it if he's the media darling. He fought hard for our team and I'm not going to slam him (although he can suck it).

Good luck with the Clippers Stevie.

And to those concerned with "justice" for this award..... if the US court systems can't get it right all the time what makes you think the NBA can?

Okay.... I just hope we don't concentrate on this insignificant piece of metal when we have larger goals for our team. It sucks for the true MVP, but I don't think he would want us heaving hatred on his friend that had it handed to him.

[Five-ofan]

People with 2 mvps should be top 20 players of all time. Nash isnt a top 150 player of all time. I cant believe people are this stupid. Everyone with a vote should lose their votes. This is a joke.

[kg_veteran]

Originally Posted by Five-ofan

People with 2 mvps should be top 20 players of all time. Nash isnt a top 150 player of all time. I cant believe people are this stupid. Everyone with a vote should lose their votes. This is a joke.

Players with at least 2 MVP awards:

Tim Duncan
Karl Malone
Michael Jordan
Magic Johnson
Larry Bird
Moses Malone
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Julius Erving
Wilt Chamberlain
Bill Russell
Bob Pettit

...Steve Nash.

You have four of the greatest centers of all time, five of the greatest forwards of all time, the two greatest guards of all time...and Steve Nash.

[FINtastic]

Seriously, I don't think the voters even try any more. They just find who everyone else thinks the consensus is and vote for them. Seems like more of a popularity contest to me.

[MavsFanFinley]

Congrats Nash. Thank goodness it wasn't Kobe.

[mary]

Yeah..if there's a positive to this, at least Laker fans are pretty pissed off this morning

Nash 2
Kobe 0

Oh the indignation!

[madape]

I've told this story on this board before, but I was at a party a couple of years ago. Nash and Dirk were there, too.

A hip-hop song came on the stereo. Nash stood up and yelled "OK everybody be quiet! This is my favorite song!"

I yelled back "Shut up, you Canadian asshole". He looked at me crazy, but didn't say anything back.

Then he danced with one of my friends. She told me he popped a boner on her leg.

[Evilmav2]

Originally Posted by madape

I've told this story on this board before, but I was at a party a couple of years ago. Nash and Dirk were there, too.

A hip-hop song came on the stereo. Nash stood up and yelled "OK everybody be quiet! This is my favorite song!"

I yelled back "Shut up, you Canadian asshole". He looked at me crazy, but didn't say anything back.

Then he danced with one of my friends. She told me he popped a boner on her leg.

If I'm remembering the account of that business correctly, I'd bet that the long-absent poster Baselineguy as well as the soon to be wedded pledge Bean-Polo would recall that party and incident as well...

[vjz]

More motivation for Kobe... hope he brings it against the Suns, and make the series close.

Nash was great this year, but he is possibly the worse defender ever to win an MVP award...

I wonder how Cuban's taking it... you let a player go, and he wins 2 straight MVP awards?! Wow!

[sike]

easily the worst two time winner of all time....easily the worst defensive MVP ever......soooooo overrated: right player, right surrouding cast, right coach, no defensive focus....this is sickening....

is it fair to say that NAsh is the most one-demensional MVP of all time?