GotGibson?
Bench Warmer
Although we are only a few weeks into the season, a handful of players have established themselves as the favorites in the Most Valuable Player race.
LeBron James is always in the discussion because of the out-of-this-world numbers he puts up, even though Cleveland is only 4-3.
Kobe Bryant is playing as well as ever and has the Lakers off to a 6-1 start without a single minute played by Pau Gasol.
Carmelo Anthony is almost unstoppable, and Denver has won six of its eight games.
Dwyane Wade is playing as well as he did last season.
The fifth player in that equation is a two-time winner of the MVP award: Steve Nash. He is averaging 18 points and 13 assists per game, and shooting 93 percent from the line, 49 percent on 3-pointers and 53 percent from the field.
He is completely energized by the fact that the Suns have taken off his shackles and he doesn't have to throw the ball into the low post every time up the court. You can't play point guard any better than he has been playing it. He is the best decision-maker in the NBA, and they are letting him go out there and orchestrate.
The Suns are 7-1, and Nash has two games with more than 20 assists so far. They have returned to their roots. He has been unbelievable, and Jason Richardson is out of his mind. Not a lot of people thought they could get back to this level. It shows you how much they have changed from when Shaquille O'Neal was in town.
Now, they have five guys on the floor who all can face the basket. There are four 3-point shooters out there at all times, and that helps to free up Amare Stoudemire. Last season, they had a lot of guys standing around and watching the ball get funneled into the post. That is not the case so far this season.
When Nash is running around with the ball in his hands, making decisions on the fly, it is fun to watch and good for the league. If he keeps playing at this level, there is no question the Suns can win 52 to 55 games, which probably makes them a top-four team in the West. This isn't a fluke. They will be up there with the Lakers, Spurs and Nuggets all season.
LeBron James is always in the discussion because of the out-of-this-world numbers he puts up, even though Cleveland is only 4-3.
Kobe Bryant is playing as well as ever and has the Lakers off to a 6-1 start without a single minute played by Pau Gasol.
Carmelo Anthony is almost unstoppable, and Denver has won six of its eight games.
Dwyane Wade is playing as well as he did last season.
The fifth player in that equation is a two-time winner of the MVP award: Steve Nash. He is averaging 18 points and 13 assists per game, and shooting 93 percent from the line, 49 percent on 3-pointers and 53 percent from the field.
He is completely energized by the fact that the Suns have taken off his shackles and he doesn't have to throw the ball into the low post every time up the court. You can't play point guard any better than he has been playing it. He is the best decision-maker in the NBA, and they are letting him go out there and orchestrate.
The Suns are 7-1, and Nash has two games with more than 20 assists so far. They have returned to their roots. He has been unbelievable, and Jason Richardson is out of his mind. Not a lot of people thought they could get back to this level. It shows you how much they have changed from when Shaquille O'Neal was in town.
Now, they have five guys on the floor who all can face the basket. There are four 3-point shooters out there at all times, and that helps to free up Amare Stoudemire. Last season, they had a lot of guys standing around and watching the ball get funneled into the post. That is not the case so far this season.
When Nash is running around with the ball in his hands, making decisions on the fly, it is fun to watch and good for the league. If he keeps playing at this level, there is no question the Suns can win 52 to 55 games, which probably makes them a top-four team in the West. This isn't a fluke. They will be up there with the Lakers, Spurs and Nuggets all season.
arty3:
