If one thing is for certain, it's that Steve Nash would have to be considered for one of the most established and recognizable hair cuts in sports. Seriously, when he practically shaved his head, there was a public outcry and it actually became a hot sports topic for a day or two.
The one thing about Steve Nash that isn't for certain (and, for the most part, isn't even considered) is whether or not Nash can be considered one of the greatest NBA players of all time.
Until now.
Would I rank him in the top 5? Absolutely not. Top 10? Don't count on it. Top 20? Now we're talking...
Let's take a look at the most obvious argument for his inclusion as one of the greats: two MVP's. You know how many NBA players other than Nash can say that? Just 10. And it's hard to argue against at least 7 of those players making the top 10 of all time (MJ, Wilt, Bill Russell, Kareem, Bird, Magic, and Moses Malone). So Nash has to be up there, right?
Secondly, let's take a look at his career stats. His initial numbers don't look that impressive, in fact, they look quite pedestrian: 14.6 ppg, 3 rpg, and 8.2 apg. Take a deeper look, and things start to look better. Get rid of his first four seasons where he was never a full time starter, and his stats look much better: 16.8 ppg and 9.7 apg. Compare that to other point guards considered to be the best of all time, and Nash is looking pretty good (Stockton: 13.5 ppg, 10.5 apg, and Isiah Thomas: 19 ppg, 9.3 apg).
But the stat that puts Nash over the edge is his career combined shooting rating (2-pt% + 3-pt % + FT%). His CSR (as coined by ESPN's John Hollinger) is the best in NBA history at a tidy 1.849 (.515 2-pt, .431 3-pt., and .903 FT). Next closest? Steve Kerr at 1.812. That is quite the wide margin, believe it or not.
So while other players are putting up better scoring numbers than Nash, they are doing it less efficiently that he is. That doesn't mean we advance Nash all the way up the list, but I think he has the stats and the hardware to push for a top 15 spot. And that is more than a lot of people will give him credit for.
7 years ago
Nash has never been on a team that has won the big games. Think of Grat moments in the top players career, does Nash have a game similar to the Isiah sprained ankle game in finals. These other players have trademark games that will forever represent their careers.
ReplyDeleteBut Nash has been on teams that have won a lot of games. And I think that championships definitely bolster careers, and thats why I don't put Nash in the top 10. Not even in the top 15. The Big-O only won one championship, but no one would argue that he shouldn't be in the top 10. Moses Malone never won a title, but he is still up there. Who else hasn't won a title that was a great player? Try Elgin Baylor, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, and Charles Barkley. Great players. Didn't win the big games. So Nash should still be up there.
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