LATEST UPDATE: Dallas Mavericks superstar receives shockingly undeserved label
If you ask NBA fans about Hall of Famer Steve Nash, opinions will vary widely. However, one thing that’s universally acknowledged is his exceptional skills as a point guard.
Nash’s high basketball IQ and passing ability earned him a spot in the Hall of Fame and solidified his place as one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. Despite this, his career continues to be downplayed by some.
Even after six impactful seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, Nash’s career is still criticized in a post from GiveMeSport.
Steve Nash undeservingly named most overrated player of 2000s
Stephen A. Pegues of GiveMeSport labeled Steve Nash as the most overrated NBA player of the 2000s, a title that seems unfair for a Hall of Famer. Some might overlook just how significant Nash’s impact was on the Dallas Mavericks.
Nash began his tenure with the Mavericks in the 1998-99 season, at a time when the team hadn’t made the playoffs since 1990. By 2001, Nash played a crucial role in leading the Mavs back to the postseason.
In the next two seasons, Nash earned All-Star honors and was named to the All-NBA third team. He also helped the Mavericks reach the 2003 Western Conference Finals.
Nash’s final season in Dallas was in 2003-04, where he recorded a then career-high 8.8 assists per game. He then signed with the Phoenix Suns in the 2004 offseason, where he thrived, winning back-to-back MVP awards in his first two seasons and finishing second in MVP voting behind Dirk Nowitzki in 2007.
Not re-signing Nash after 2004 proved to be a costly mistake for the Mavericks, as they lost a future two-time MVP. The question of “What if Nash never left Dallas?” will always linger, especially considering how outstanding his career was in Phoenix after leaving.
If Nash was truly overrated in the 2000s, how did he win two MVPs, lead the league in assists three times before the decade ended, and help the Suns reach the Conference Finals in 2005 and 2006? Despite frequent disrespect, Nash’s abilities as a floor general were extraordinary.
For an “overrated player,” Nash made the NBA 75 team and will be remembered as one of the best floor generals in history. Whether in Dallas or Phoenix, Nash was a great player and teammate. He deserves more respect than he often receives.