Kevin Love has helped return the Timberwolves to competency. Kevin Durant and LeBron James continue to dominate the stat lines. And Chris Paul has never been more valuable. But what about Steve Nash?
It’s easy to get caught up in the hype surrounding superstars in their prime, who play in large markets on incredibly talented teams. But it’s even easier to overlook the ability of a 38-year-old point guard to keep a shallow pool of talent in the thick of a playoff race.
That’s right, at 38, and playing alongside a supporting cast laden with unproven and over the hill talent, Nash has given immediate hope to a rebuilding franchise.
Currently, the Suns sit a half-game outside of the Western Conference’s eighth and final playoff spot. That’s a position no one could have predicted they would be in with 21 games left to play.
On the back of Nash, and his 13.4 points and 11.4 assists per game, Phoenix has become a threat to beat any opponent, on any night. The team has won eight of its last 10, and posted an impressive 15-10 home record on the season.
While Nash receives some recognition for what’s happening in Phoenix, it’s simply not enough. He has Marcin Gortat looking like a future All-Star. He has allowed Grant Hill to salvage what’s left of his injury-riddled career. He has turned Channing Frye into an offensive powerhouse. And perhaps most importantly, he has helped Jared Dudley shed the bust label.
With Kyle Lowry on the sidelines, and Ricky Rubio done for the season, it has never seemed more possible for the Suns get a taste of the postseason. While 16 of their 21 remaining games are against playoff-bound and potential playoff-bound teams, Nash has rendered such a stretch a passable obstacle.
Every crisp pass, every shot that rips through the bottom of the net, every defender that gets left in the dust and every victory the Suns steal brings Nash and his team closer to achieving what should have been an unattainable goal.
There is a real possibility Phoenix fades out of the playoff picture down the stretch, but the fact that they’ve played above .500 basketball for this long cannot be discounted.
And none of what has transpired would be possible without Nash.
Historically, players from teams on the brink won’t bring home an MVP award. Make no mistake though, that Nash is more valuable to the Suns than Durant is to the Thunder, than James is to the Heat and than Love is to the Timberwolves.
Nash is Phoenix’s lifeline. He is a glimmer of hope, a beacon of light and the poster-boy for commitment.
No, Nash will obtain his second NBA MVP award, but it’s high time he became a legitimate part of the conversation.
The game of basketball owes him that much.
Dan Favale is an avid basketball analyst and firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His work can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
