Steve Nash has already made his mark as one of the NBA's greats. As one of only 11 NBA players to win multiple Most Valuable Player awards, Nash has cemented himself in history. If Nash is voted most valuable for the 3rd straight time, his legendary status will grow.
Steve Nash represents the perfect point guard. He is as great with his left hand as he is with his right, shoots a high percentage from FT and 3, gets everyone involved with precise passing and controls the court with efficient ball handling. Nash is a floor leader and a natural winner. As a a freshman in college, Nash led the #15 seed Santa Clara Broncos over the #2 seed Arizona Wildcats in the first round of the 1993 NCAA tournament. Every time I see the game on ESPN Classic I get chills. Nash's play is beautiful, his spirit for the game and his passion for winning makes my eyes water.
Even though Nash had better numbers this season than he did in in 2005 and 2006 when he won the MVP - Dirk Nowitzki will prevent the three-peat. Despite Nash making his team better and the Suns's bench containing the 6th man of the year (for the 2nd consecutive time), it will be Dirk taking home the 2007 trophy.
Why won't Steve Nash win his 3rd straight?
Michael Jordan (5), Magic Johnson (3), and Moses Malone (3) all won 3 or more MVP awards, but never three in a row. Not even Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who has won the most MVP's in NBA history (6) had a streak of 3 in a row. If Nash wins the trophy this year he would join elite company. Since 1956, only Bill Russell (1961-1963), Wilt Chamberlain (1966-1968) and Larry Bird (1984-1986) have won 3 consecutive MVP's. Voters could be reluctant to vote for Nash because they might feel he isn't on the same level as Russell, Wilt and Bird.
In the season that Russell collected his third in a row, he was in his prime, but his numbers weren't as good as the year that he won his second. Even though it was Wilt scoring 100 in 1962, Russell was named the leagues most valuable. During Wilt's string of 3 straight, he was definitely in his prime - winning the championship in year 2. Both Russell and Chamberlain averaged unreal numbers. Russell averaged over 20 rebounds per game for his career, but there were some seasons that he didn't even win the league rebound title because he was out-boarded by Wilt. Wilt is the only player to ever average 50 points during a season. The Chamberlain/Russell rivalry is one of the greatest of all time and represent 9 out of the first 13 NBA MVP's.
As for the most recent three-peater, Larry Bird, he might be closer to Earth than Russell or Wilt. Never averaging outrageous numbers, Bird got it done in a variety of ways and was one of the deadliest shooters in the league. Known for his 3-ball, Bird could do more than shoot. During Bird's 1984 MVP season, he recorded more than 10 rebounds per game and the Celtics won the NBA Championship. In the third year Bird won the award he didn't do as well statistically, but Boston went on to capture their 2nd NBA championship in 3 years. Bird's three straight MVP's were the only awards he won.
Regardless of history, Nowtizki and Nash were the only players to emerge as MVP contenders this season. In a survey given to the NBA's general managers, Dirk was voted ahead of Nash and Kobe for this years MVP. Dirk received 17 first place votes and Nash received 7 first place votes - survey results were announced last night.
Despite dismal shooting in a game 1 loss to the Warriors, Dirk played better last night shooting 7/15 and scoring 22 and will likely hoist the Maurice Podoloff trophy for what he did during the regular season. Nowitzki led the Mavericks to a 67 win season which was the 4th best record in league history. Before the playoffs started it was the Mavericks who had the best odds of representing the Western Conference in the finals and winning the NBA title.
Dirk is going to win the trophy this season much like how Kevin Garnett won it in 2004. During the 2003-2004 season, the Timberwolves had the NBA's best record and therefore Garnett was honored as league MVP. MVP runner-up Kobe Bryant may have lost to KG in the MVP race that season, but he got his revenge by taking out KG's T'Wolves in game 6 of the Western Conference finals.
Nash may experience the same feelings that Kobe felt if Dirk wins the award and the Mavericks match-up with the Suns for a trip to the finals. Nash deserves MV3, but voters might not want to put Nash on the 3-straight pedestal. A vote NOT for Nash is a vote for Dirk. Some voters may vote for Dirk because they prefer to recognize him for his body of work over the regular season and over the course of his career.
If Nash wins #3, we will be in the midst of experiencing one of the most historical MVP runs in NBA history.
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